Internet2 Challenge to overcome

On Feb. 13, 2007, we connected with members of UCI to discuss the ideas of our new project. It was my first time to experience this video conference. Overall the conference was successful, however I would like to raise one question.

My major concern is how to get to know the project members of UCI. I found it rather difficult to communicate through the video with people I just met. Perhaps it is because I am not used this setting. However, I think people tend to act differently in front of a camera, including myself and wonder if I can let go of that nervousness. I believe that it is crucial for all members to get to know and build connection with each other in order to make this project successful. On Feb. 13, because the UCI camera focused on only one person (speaker) or few others around the speaker, it was hard to see the whole group. I'm sure UCI members experienced the similar at their site. How do we overcome this challenge? Well, perhaps we could have one camera that focus on a speaker, and another camera on the whole class. To create a virtual class setting that is close to a real one, we could have the video connected throughout the class period with low audio level, so that each site can talk to the other when needed. We shall see how well the next conference works.