Casey Haggerty

CSC 155
28 October 2014
NASA Reflection
On October 22, 2014, we had the unique experience of participating in a live video
conference call with NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.) As a class, we
conversed in a live dialogue with a NASA representative. Our representative gave an interesting
presentation on the current NASA space robotics programs. He also discussed with us the
exciting prospect of man one day landing on Mars. In order for us to communicate with NASA,
a webcam was attached to a large flat screen TV and a microphone hung from the ceiling. This
allowed us to ask questions and allowed the representative to facilitate group discussion. This
was truly a unique experience and is unlike anything I have ever experienced in a classroom.
I learned many things from this lesson about using technology in the classroom. First, I
learned that technology does not always cooperate in the classroom. It is important to remember
that the solution to the problem could be as easy as returning the technology to its source. I
found this interactive learning activity to be a fun and different way to learn. This could possibly
be the future of many learning experiences in the classroom. I think guest speakers and fun
presentations like the one we saw would be a fun and unique method of learning. It is too bad
that this program through NASA is being cut, however I think well begin to see more interactive
learning experiences like this one in the future.