Classmate is a networked virtual classroom application, providing functionality for virtual whiteboard, slideshow and cinema/video.
Voip (Voice Over Internet Protocol) and text chat is integrated into classmate to provide speech and text communication between students and teachers.
The slideshow and whiteboards allow teachers to give lectures as normal to externals, no matter where in the world they happen to be.
We have used the system to show people its features without having to be there in person.
Classmate can also be combined with a graphics tablet or mimeo device to provide ease of use when writing on the virtual whiteboard. Webcams can also be streamed inside classmate using the cinema/video section of the program.
Classmate lets users customise their avatar (their character) with a range of clothing and the ability to resize body parts. The users can also fly through the world using the in-world plane, giving them a better view of what's going on.
Support for this project has been provided by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council, an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The views expressed in this site do not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council Ltd.
