BMRC services include operating laboratories, a high-speed computer network, and various servers (e.g., web, video, database, etc.), and providing consultants to the campus community (e.g., web design, multimedia authoring, video capture and digitizing, etc.) who will assist in the content development process (concept exploration and development, content design, production, and distribution). We train (and provide technical support to) students and faculty to use our facilities, which include 514 Soda Hall and 130 Dwinelle.

We work with faculty and students in the following areas:

Multimedia Authoring

We are developing an authoring environment that integrates asset management and streaming content with hypertext documents and computer mediated interactions, using both new and existing tools and focusing on adaptation of computer science research tools to broader multimedia applications. BMRC projects are creating a number of hypermedia titles using novel paradigms of content representation. We also co-develop multimedia content with UC Berkeley faculty members as part of ongoing research initiatives and projects to create advanced learning environments.

Teaching and Learning

One aim is to develop and study interactive hypermedia courseware, distance learning models, and new classroom and working environments. We are creating tools for distance learning and high quality Internet video broadcasting. Other areas of investigation include the effectiveness of learner-centered courseware and groupware for collaborative learning and problem solving.

Infrastructure

BMRC is developing systems to support storage and delivery of digital media objects (e.g., documents, images, audio, video, and animation) on the UC Berkeley campus. The Center runs a high-speed network for access to multimedia content and is deploying a very large digital media storage system. We provide facilities for multimedia authoring and servers for hosting multimedia web content. Access to these facilities is provided to the campus community through the BMRC supported project program. We are also developing facilities to support live and on-demand streaming of digital audio and video on the campus Internet.