A Web 2.0 synchronous learning environment using AJAX

Synchronous learning is becoming more and more important in distance learning environment. This paper describes a synchronous learning environment which provides course agent, clear user interface, and interaction mechanism for teachers and learners through AJAX technology. The key features of Web 2.0 are dynamic interaction, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. In order to achieve these features in the proposed synchronous learning environment that we use AJAX technology and YouTube Application Programming Interface (API) to design friendly user interfaces and share the diversity of learning resource. Moreover, we also design an agent to record the synchronous instruction process for asynchronous learning. Finally, we introduce an example to illustrate how the system works.