INTEGRATING INTERNET PROTOCOL TELEVISION (IPTV) IN DISTANCE EDUCATION: A Constructivist Framework for Social Networking

New communication technologies and constructivist pedagogy have the great potential
to build very powerful paradigm shifts that enhance Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)
in distance education. Therefore, the main purpose of this chapter is to explore the new
concerns, issues and potentials for the IPTV delivery of distance education to
multicultural populations.
In this study, the design strategies and principles of how to build social networking
based on constructivist learning theory are discussed in order to generate a theoretical
framework that provides everyday examples and experiences for IPTV in distance
education. This framework also shows the needs, expectations and beliefs, and
strengths-weaknesses of IPTV in distance. In short, this framework concentrates on
discussing the main characteristics of IPTV in distance education and describes how
those characteristics can help build constructivist online communities.