Future Directions in Distance Learning and Communication Technologies presents theoretical studies and practical solutions for engineers, educational professionals, and graduate students in the research areas of e-learning, distance education, and instructional design. This book provides readers with cutting-edge solutions and research directions pertinent to these evolving fields. Chapters include: (1) A Survey of Distance Education Challenges and Technologies; (2) An E-Learning System Based on the Top Down Method and the Cellular Models; (3) Privacy and Security in E-Learning; (4) Bluetooth Scatternet Using an Ad Hoc Bridge Node Routing Protocol for Outdoor Distance Education; (5) Ubiquitous Agent-Based Campus Information Providing System for Cellular Phones; (6) An XML-Based Approach to Multimedia Engineering for Distance Learning; (7) Open Multi-Agent Systems for Collaborative Web-Based Learning; (8) Concept Effect Model; (9) A Virtual Laboratory for Digital Signal Processing; (10) Interactive E-Learning; (11) Using Ontology as Scaffolding for Authoring Teaching Materials; (12) The Next Generation of E-Learning (13) A SCORM-Compliant U-Learning Grid by Employing CC/PP; (14) A Distance Learning System for Teaching the Writing of Chinese Characters Over the Internet; and (15) Future Directions of Multimedia Technologies in E-Learning.