Looks like the day is nearing when a person's avatar would be able to teach a class and probably get higher course evaluations because of various "tweaks" that can make the avatar more attractive, accessible, and positive (through automatic processing of subtle features in the avatar's appearance, especially the face). The NY Times has an article that reports the work of two psychologists who having working on making 3D avatars available for meetings and classrooms; see: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/science/12tier.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha26
However, I imagine that this sort of thing would probably be done with big-name researchers who would rather stay in the lab or office and where they can continue doing the "more important" work that they are doing. On the bright side, smaller colleges could advertise that they have "real live human beings" as teachers. -Mike Palij New York University [email protected] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=9969 or send a blank email to leave-9969-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
