Impressions of Distance Learning

My first experience in a distant learning classroom was both exciting and
distracting.   The two monitors in the front of the room where distracting 
especially the one focused on our class.  I found myself
staring at the screen even as people next to me where talking.  Even when
the speaker Michael Joyce was speaking directly to our class I found it
hard to look at him and was drawn to the screen.  I hope the novelty and
distraction of having a monitor in the room will lessen as I become
accustomed to this environment.

Although the audio was surprisingly good, the visual images form Berkeley
where often blurry.  Sudden movements where not picked up well by the
camera and left many body language  clues unreadable to me.  Something I
did not like was the fact that the camera dictated who talked rather than
the professor.  It seemed odd to me to see a big image of myself talking,
I really don't understand why two screens are necessary as I often found
myself focusing on our class as I have more familiarity with these
individuals.  It seems to me that people would be more willing to talk if
they did not have to do it on a screen.

I hope an increased familiarity with both  the technology and the
Berkeley students will lessen the distractions of distance learning.  It
will be interesting to see how both this technology and this class
progress as the Berkeley and Ann Arbor classes share their varied
backgrounds and ideas.