WorldClass seeks to transcend distance-learning barriers

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Nov 25, 1996 by Apte, Vivek

If you catch Frederick R. (Rick) Guy flashing a broad grin these days, it might be his optimism about Lux, Inc.'s WorldClass Distance Learning System showing through. Guy, 35, president of Lux, Inc., in East Syracuse, demonstrated the system, and WorldClass/CT, a corporate teleconferencing package, at trade shows in Anaheim, Calif. and Poitiers, France recently. The demonstrations resulted in favorable reviews in telecommunications publications, praise from distance-learning consultants, inquiries from MCI, and keen interest from organizations interested in establishing "virtual universities."

Produced and developed by Lux, Inc., in partnership with DataCom, Inc., WorldClass Distance Learning System and WorldClass/CT System have the primary advantage of doing away with the telephone line as a means of transmitting sound, images, and data to remote computers. The WorldClass systems broadcast these inputs via television, cable, satellite, or microwave signals, at very high rates of transfer (up to 2.5 megabytes per second). To give an example, if the instructor wishes to, he could transfer Shakespeare's complete works to each participant's handout file in under one minute, without interrupting the presentation itself. Lux, Inc. has applied for a patent for its systems and their related software.

The difference between WorldClass systems and teleconferencing systems is that teleconferencing systems require an elaborate and expensive video, voice, and data-transfer setup at all points in the system. WorldClass systems are point-to-multipoint setups that require a television-broadcast facility at the presenter's end, but little more than a multimedia PC at the receiving ends (see diagram). (Diagram omitted) A network card and software installed in the receiving PCs decipher the broadcast information in near-real time. The picture quality is comparable to that of a regular television set. When the software is fully functional, participants will be able, according to Guy, to capture entire distance-learning sessions -- including any electronic files transferred during the session --on videotape, using a VCR connected to the remote PC.

For the bulk of each training or demonstration session using WorldClass systems, participants do not need to be on-line. Participants go on-line only if they need to ask a question or interact with other students, by clicking on a button in their Windows-based display. This automatically connects them to the head-end PC. All questions that are asked are displayed to other participants in the session. Participants can also submit work, chat with other students, and use a "chalkboard" to share their ideas with the trainer and with other participants. In addition, the trainer or teacher can keep participants' photographs to be displayed in one quadrant of the screen.

Guy believes WorldClass systems have the potential of revolutionizing distance learning with their high quality, ease of use, and, especially, with their dramatically lower cost. Guy calls WorldClass "a breakthrough development that allows for a completely interactive, two-way learning system that is extremely affordable for colleges, universities, school districts, and corporations." The savings are achieved both by reduced per-site equipment costs, and by eliminating the need to be on-line continuously for the duration of each session.

In terms of marketing, Guy believes WorldClass systems will allow colleges and universities, using existing faculty and personnel, to enroll many more tuition-paying students. The institutions will also be able to cater to students who are unable to commute to campus, Guy adds.

For high schools and elementary schools, Guy says WorldClass software will enable school districts to share faculty members, eliminating the need to hire additional staff or to cancel courses due to lack of enrollment.

And for corporations, Lux's president states that WorldClass/CT has the potential of turning every desktop workstation into a learning station. "Corporations can provide training or sales presentations that are completely interactive while significantly reducing overhead expenses and more quickly distributing information," explains Guy.

Ron Stott, comptroller at DataCom (Lux's partner in the WorldClass venture), is clearly enthusiastic about the systems. "When someone sees the WorldClass systems for the first time," he asserts, "they just about sell themselves." He opines that WorldClass systems are far superior to the nearest competitors' offerings. In addition to the value this has in the marketplace, Stott adds that he hopes WorldClass systems will help improve the educational system. "It would be nice to really do some good out there."

The WorldClass systems are still in a secondary (or beta) testing stage. In Syracuse, the Universal Education Foundation is hosting a test site. Another test site is being hosted in the New York City area by the Instructional Television System of the Archdiocese of New York.

Lux, which was formed earlier this year, is approaching a critical time in its history. The company is eager to find additional clients to participate in the beta tests, and then to become WorldClass system users. Ron Roberts, chief programmer for Lux, Inc., expects beta testing to be complete in a little more than 60 days.