I have never experienced a video chat and it was great to have the opportnity to see how it really worked.  I did feel alienated with the big screen because I felt the facilitating group was staring at me with their huge eyes.  The chat room within the tables I didn't like very much because I felt so disconnected.  I became more of a spectator than an active participate.  I felt the conversation went very fast and found myself hard to respond because my response would of been from several lines back.  I believe in my own personal life that technology is a good thing, but I don't want it to take away the personal connection with people.  I would much rather talk to someone in person than to shoot them an email because it's more conveniant.  Personal connection is so important to me.