This Phase I project will develop and demonstrate the functionality and utility of a commercially viable prototype Virtual School (VS) and Virtual Classroom (VC) software system. The target instructional organizations will be any sized educational or training institutions or departments that utilize the increasingly popular, pervasive and powerful Internet/Intranet world-wide-web (web)client/server protocols. This includes the widely available generic client (web browser or web-client)programs and generic server (web server) programs. The system will enable in-house and distance learning of course and training materials vended by a web server setup and controlled by the instructional organization. Demonstrating easy configuration, the system will reflect the organizational structure and business rules of the host organization. By virtue of the underlying Apple-NeXT software technology, among other advantages, the system will "scale" (perform well) on small to large web server computers in single or multiple-host configurations and thus be affordable to any sized growing instructional organization. This project will begin to show that anyone with a PC (or network computer, or web-TV, if they become popular),a web browser application and the authorization of the instructional organization will be able to learn all or part of their course objectives by these means.Summary Of Anticipated Results And Implications:* VS-VC system vends and customizes pages of all types in ways appropriate for each type; implements state-of-the art access security; authorizes user access by user-categories; accepts course, class and lesson submissions and updates from instructors, teaching assistants (TAs) and other authors; merges same into one or more materials databases using available upload techniques; registers and enrolls student users more or less as would a typical university such as San Francisco State University. * At least one type of test from a course test bank is editable, deliverable, gradable and the results are stored appropriately in the associated database(s). Such actions will be triggered by student and instructor interactions over the web with the VS-VC system. * Rudimentary tracking of student activities, performance, punctuality, participation in lessons and classes and discussions. Activities include communications with instructors. * A "stub" (do nothing) AI module that can be dynamically added and deleted from the system to monitor student-system interactions and it can, or will be able to, accumulate higher level "learning events" in an event database associated with each student's interactions.
