E-Learning Sessions by Day, Blackboard by Night

It's a gorgeous morning!  I awake to sunshine, 70 degree temps and view a hot air balloon sailing over my view of the convention hall.  Quicky, I get downstairs for breakfast around 9am at the hotel.  Afterwards, I waited about 10 minutes and the Educause shuttle picked me up for a quick ride over to the Convention hall.

I saw a familiar face as I entered the building.  It was Valerie, with Educause.  She directed me to the left side of the booths, and I was able to login and print out my registration card.  I then showed my id and received the convention packet, complete with a blue Datatel bag.  Unfortunately, the design of this one doesn't really allow a laptop to fit in like last years. 

The little program book inside my name badge comes in really handy.  I take it over and preview the sessions and events to come for today.  Noting a few sessions of interest regarding E-learning and network security, I then head over to the Exhibit Hall to meet my Blackboard rep.

Upon entering, I don't see their booth immediately; but the gorgeous Apple booth (or is it an Apple theater center) is immediately in front of me.  I spend a few minutes...ok, so it was more like an hour.... viewing (or is it drooling over...) the new Video IPods and the nicely presented G5s with 22" flat panel displays.  I get a vision of my workstation, complete with two flat panels, and adorned with a G5 and video IPod....ahhhh...how nice it is to dream.....

After finding a towel to wipe my chin and smack myself back into reality, I leave Apple, and run into Karianne Naughton, Regional Sales Manager with Blackboard.  We briefly chat, and I continue through the Exhibit Hall, hearing presentations about everything from Network Security to Equipment Leasing, Learning Management Systems building block software to Enterprise Campus Systems. 

Finally I see the Blackboard booth and take a needed mid-morning break while talking with Chad Jennings.  After discussing business, he lets me know that Blackboard is throwing a bash this evening, and I should be at the Peabody at 6:30pm.

Now I hit several sessions including Duke's presentation regarding their use of the Ipod with the freshman class.  They use it for podcasting lectures, saving data files, music downloading and more.  A great learning tool and an exciting way for them to really connect with the students. 

I also sit in on Creighton University's experience wtih a completely online pharmacy degree program.  The main focus they had was with ensuring the accrediting agency  that the degree would be as good as (if not better) than if students attended in person.  Their results show that the students performed as well as and better on their board examinations than the students attending on campus.

Unfortunately, I missed the sessions by Brian Lamb at UBC, whom I met last year.  He has done a tremendous amount of work with wikis, blogs and E-Portfolios.  To listen to his Podcast interview concerning these topics, go to:  http://connect.educause.edu/trackback/1472

Between sessions, I grab a very small salad, bag of chips and soda provided for lunch.  I am a light eater normally, but even I am pretty hungry still.  I did get a chance to catch the end of a Birds of a Feather session during the meal. 

After the sessions, I see a few more familiar faces from the previous year.  Then I take the shuttle back to the hotel and unload my conference bag from a very weary arm.

After a little rest, I take a cab to the Peabody hotel, and board the bus to Disney's Boardwalk, the site of Blackboard's bash.    I see a few familiar faces amongst the Blackboard crowd, and they have numerous employees at Educause this year.  In true Blackboard style, this is no shabby event.  They have rented out a waterfront two story events and banquet center, which Disney has named "Blackboard's Club 7" just for this evening.  The 7 is for their upcoming next release of the Blackboard learning system software, due out next year. 

The festivities include great food, from appetizers to a meat station and desserts,  open bars and a large hardwood dance floor with a pretty good dj.  I even took an opportunity to dance with the Blackboard CEO.  Periodically, he remarks to the crowd, and gives away a few IPod Nanos.

But the real excitement comes when the Seven Dwarfs arrive to take pictures with us, the honored Blackboard clients.  I must admit, I couldn't resist standing in line to get my picture taken with them.  The resulting souvenir photo mousepad is one of the best things I brought back with my from the trip.

After a fun filled evening, I boarded the shuttle back to the hotel for some much needed rest.  The day's sessions were great, and I look forward to tomorrow's activities.