CHENNAI: While institutional providers and administrators are finding ways to deliver electronic learning and virtual education systems, the Chennai-based Tamil Virtual University (TVU) is all set to launch a virtual classroom in July.

At present, the TVU delivers online programmes for basic and advanced level learners of Tamil language, culture and heritage spread across a dozen nations. The university is now looking to add value to its programmes.

Delivering modules

Using the virtual classroom, the TVU can deliver learning modules in multicast, interactive video-conferencing or normal telephony mode to individual PCs, said TVU Director V. Sankaranarayanan.

However, he said: "Since our students are individuals, and are not institution-based, facilities to serve the classroom lecture through multicast, interactive video-conferencing is not possible. It requires the receiving infrastructure at their end and they could also be located at different times across the globe. So the classroom lectures can be recorded in a streaming server and students can download them through the Internet at their convenience," Dr. Sankaranarayan told The Hindu .

The Tamil Nadu Government has provided Rs. 10 lakhs to the TVU and "we have provided equipment and hardware worth even more to provide the lessons in both modes," Dr. Sankaranarayan said. A multi-casting situation can offer two-way interaction (between the learner and the lecturer) provided the required equipment is available at both ends. But now one can also dial-up to receive the signals. The TVU's chairman, V.C. Kulandaiswami, a pioneer in distance learning systems, said the university was set up to provide opportunities for Tamils living around the world to learn their language, master their literature and to keep alive their traditions. The basic learners get a certificate (of level up to class VI) and the advanced learners can get diploma or go on to a degree.

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