The role of IPTV in education

Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) is best known as a platform for the provision of entertainment services, such as movies-on-demand, and which provides sizeable revenue streams for telecommunications and Internet service providers in various markets across the globe. Less appreciated are the intriguing possibilities IPTV offers in the education domain where operators are also in competition. They, too, are constantly seeking innovative services and delivery mechanisms for their 'customers', who increasingly demand their education via non-traditional modes of delivery to fit in with changing lifestyles and expectations. This article will outline the basics of IPTV technology and provide examples of its being used in a variety of situations across the educational spectrum, including tertiary education, continuing professional development (CPD), and personally tailored education services in the home for the wider community. © 2012 Swinburne University of Technology.