How To Succeed At How To Succeed At Distance EducationDistance Education

Richard Anderson, UWRichard Anderson, UWJay Beavers, MSRJay Beavers, MSR

But at what cost?But at what cost?

BackgroundBackground

Professional Master’s Course taught Professional Master’s Course taught by University of Washingtonby University of Washington

Graduate Computer Science, targeted Graduate Computer Science, targeted at continuing adult educationat continuing adult education

~50% students from Microsoft~50% students from Microsoft Lecturers drawn from both University Lecturers drawn from both University

of Washington and Microsoft Researchof Washington and Microsoft Research

In 2002…In 2002…

First deployment of ConferenceXP into the First deployment of ConferenceXP into the classroomclassroom

Last year, this lecture was “How To Fail At Last year, this lecture was “How To Fail At Distance Education”Distance Education” Network FailuresNetwork Failures Production Quality (Lighting, Microphones, Production Quality (Lighting, Microphones,

Camera Placement)Camera Placement) Overly Structured PresentationsOverly Structured Presentations Classroom LogisticsClassroom Logistics

Short Technical Interruptions had Big ImpactShort Technical Interruptions had Big Impact

In 2003…In 2003…

Applied resources to the problemApplied resources to the problem Improved classroom equipment (>$75k)Improved classroom equipment (>$75k)

Better Audio & Video Equipment (plasma screens, Better Audio & Video Equipment (plasma screens, Gentner XAPs)Gentner XAPs)

Better room logistics (lighting, layout)Better room logistics (lighting, layout) Direct control over both classroomsDirect control over both classrooms

More people at University of WashingtonMore people at University of Washington

Improved softwareImproved software Classroom Presenter with Tablet PCsClassroom Presenter with Tablet PCs Windows Media Gateway for async playbackWindows Media Gateway for async playback Updated to ConferenceXP RP 2.3Updated to ConferenceXP RP 2.3

ResultsResults

10 of 11 classes had 100% two way 10 of 11 classes had 100% two way connectivityconnectivity The other class was a disaster on the The other class was a disaster on the

receiving endreceiving end

I regret to report that the quality of the video feed I regret to report that the quality of the video feed from MS was extremely poor.  In fact, it was non-from MS was extremely poor.  In fact, it was non-existent for 85% or more of the lecture (as in no existent for 85% or more of the lecture (as in no video whatsoever - just a voice from above).  video whatsoever - just a voice from above).  When it was available at all, Phil appeared in a When it was available at all, Phil appeared in a postage stamp size window complete w/ frequent postage stamp size window complete w/ frequent psychedelic blurring effects.psychedelic blurring effects.

ResultsResults

““Overall, I think that ConferenceXP was a significant improvement Overall, I think that ConferenceXP was a significant improvement over the previous approach with PictureTel™, NetMeeting™, over the previous approach with PictureTel™, NetMeeting™, and dialup teleconferencing. The audio and video quality is and dialup teleconferencing. The audio and video quality is much better and the inking capability is great. I like it much better and the inking capability is great. I like it because it keeps me focused on the slides, helps me relate because it keeps me focused on the slides, helps me relate what I'm saying to what's written on the slide, and it's a real what I'm saying to what's written on the slide, and it's a real whiteboard.”whiteboard.”

““Despite the much-improved audio and video, there wasn't much Despite the much-improved audio and video, there wasn't much Q&A with students at the remote site… I have no emotional Q&A with students at the remote site… I have no emotional connection to the students at the remote site. In the live connection to the students at the remote site. In the live classroom, I can see student's expressions. The image of the classroom, I can see student's expressions. The image of the remote site is much too coarse-grained to even recognize remote site is much too coarse-grained to even recognize individuals, much less to tell how they're reacting.”individuals, much less to tell how they're reacting.”

““A few students who started out attending the live classroom told A few students who started out attending the live classroom told me that they eventually reverted to watching over the web, me that they eventually reverted to watching over the web, either live or at a later time. One said that he thought the either live or at a later time. One said that he thought the viewing quality was at least as good as at UW.”viewing quality was at least as good as at UW.”

““Is there a hope that this will be operator-free in my lifetime?”Is there a hope that this will be operator-free in my lifetime?”

Near FuturesNear Futures Networking Diagnostics, Reporting, and FailoverNetworking Diagnostics, Reporting, and Failover

Remote AdministrationRemote Administration Remote control of classroom settingsRemote control of classroom settings

Windows Server 2003Windows Server 2003 Gentner & Camera capabilitiesGentner & Camera capabilities

Receive side A/V adjustmentReceive side A/V adjustment

Improve the video qualityImprove the video quality 640x480 native resolution instead of 320x240640x480 native resolution instead of 320x240 Plasma displays instead of projectorsPlasma displays instead of projectors

802.11a wireless networking in the classroom802.11a wireless networking in the classroom Student Tablets with note takingStudent Tablets with note taking

New CapabilitiesNew Capabilities Assessment, feedback, simulationsAssessment, feedback, simulations

Investigating integration with other researchInvestigating integration with other research Intelligent Camera Management SystemIntelligent Camera Management System

Tips and TricksTips and Tricks

ClearOne XAPClearOne XAP

Plasma Screens versus ProjectorsPlasma Screens versus Projectors

802.11a802.11a

Longer Term DirectionsLonger Term Directions

Increase the interactionIncrease the interaction More collaborative activities in the classroomMore collaborative activities in the classroom

Operator-less Technology ClassroomsOperator-less Technology Classrooms Automated startup & shutdownAutomated startup & shutdown Centralized, single point of support (outside of Centralized, single point of support (outside of

classroom)classroom)

Less expensive Camera & Microphone Less expensive Camera & Microphone solutionssolutions 1024x768 $50 “webcams” with digital zoom & 1024x768 $50 “webcams” with digital zoom &

trackingtracking Fewer, smarter microphones with beam forming Fewer, smarter microphones with beam forming

& location tracking& location tracking