Distance learning

[tagryn]

I'm back taking a college course, this one is on the fundamentals of survey methodology and is being taught at UMaryland and simulcast to where I work. This is the first time I've taken a distance learning course, and have to say the setup is impressive: we have two large-screen TVs set up next to one another, one of which we can see the computer display which the teacher has up and the other of which we see the lecturer on. It works OK, the tricky part is that half the class is there on campus and the other half is at HQ, so sometimes its difficult to read cues as to whose turn it is to speak when the teacher asks a question. The class runs through mid-May, so I'm sure we'll get a better sense of it as things go along.

I went to campus on my day off on Friday. After getting my student ID - I'm a student again! - I went swimming at their natatorium, which I must say was impressive. I did learn that I can't swim laps and snorkel, just doesn't work well. I also purchased my texts for the class and checked out some books I had on reserve at the library, then went off-campus to eat at a cheesesteak place nearby I had read recommendations on, checked out a local comics shop, then got on the campus bus back to the train station for the ride back south. All in all, an good efficient 'raid' with lots accomplished in a short time.