Melissa Stange, LMS System Administrator at Shenandoah University has told us not once, or twice, but NINE times why she wants to be a VIP Blogger at BbWorld! In fact, she said about DevCon 2011, “I was very surprised as to how much I learned and how normal people were. I am not sure if I was expecting for people to be running around with pocket protectors and talking in now understandable language, after all this was Bb’s technical aces…” So, while you might not have time to write nine posts by Friday, we hope you’ll give it a go and enter to be a VIP BbWorld Blogger and join us this summer. We are normal! Submissions will be accepted through Friday, May 4. And check out why Melissa wants to join us in NOLA! I was waiting for something to start off this blog with and as I looked out my imaginary office window Blackboard, Inc. provided it! Blackboard World is right around the corner and it will take place in New Orleans this year in July. This year Blackboard is holding a contest to become a VIP BbWorld Blogger! Who wouldn’t want to be one of Blackboard’s (Bb) VIP Bloggers? They will help promote my blog, which will build my readership and help spread the word on the hot news being shared at the conference. The more readers they send to my blog … the more people who know about my session (7/11, 10:20a, rm. 391) … so I don’t have to present to an empty room. I would get backstage access, which means I not only get first hand comments from keynotes and Bb leaders but get to blog about sessions from a different view. One of the best things they are offering is reserved seating! If you have ever attended a Bb Keynote session you would know finding the perfect seat is difficult due to the number of attendees.

Hopefully by now, you’ve heard that we’re “Calling All Bloggers” to enter to win a free pass to BbWorld and be awarded the coveted title of VIP Blogger. Well, with one week to go in the contest, we’ve gotten some incredible and creative entries and will feature them over the next few days and weeks on the blog. Remember, it’s not too late to enter! Sign up here, write a blog, Tweet it and you could win! We hope you’ll join us in NOLA! Jacob Spradlin, Assistant Director of eCourse Development at Sam Houston State University So if you’re reading this, you may be asking yourself “Why does this guy want to be a VIP BbWorld Blogger?” This could be because you honestly want to know, or you just may be reading the title of my Blog post out loud. Regardless of why you are asking yourself that question (or just reading), I’ll tell you in one word… Community. My name is Jacob Spradlin, I am the Assistant Director of Training and Development for the department that handles Distance Education at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville Texas. I hold a Master’s in Instructional Technology and have over 15 years experience in the field. I have worked with Blackboard in one form or another since 2000. My current job involves online course development as well as training for faculty here at SHSU.

As I shared on Friday, the BbWorld 2012 conference will include presentations from well known leaders spanning the education landscape. To kick-off the conference and the theme of Social Learning, I am very excited to announce Eric Sheninger, Principal at New Milford High School in Bergen County, NJ and his presentation, “Harnessing the Power of Social Media.” Eric, affectionately known to many as @NMHS_Principal, is a K-12 administrator who has adopted social media and web 2.0 technologies to engage students, improve communications with stakeholders, and help educators grow professionally. He is passionate about establishing and fostering learning environments that are student-centered, collaborative, flexible, and prepare all learners to succeed in the 21^st Century. We are thrilled that Eric is able to join us this summer; check out this video message he shared about his upcoming presentation.

Did you know that at BbWorld 2011, the team from Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) blogged more than 40 times in 3 ½ days?!  This hard work deserves some recognition. We know that many of you have booked your flights and are already thinking about how you’ll capture the sights and sounds of this year’s BbWorld. So this year, if you’re planning to blog, we want to make it a little bit more enticing: register here to be an official BbWorld Blogger and let us reward all your hard work! As an official BbWorld Blogger, your peers will recognize you as a thought-leader, sharing a personal perspective and reflecting on all aspects of the event. You’ll get reserved seating in all keynote presentations, a blogger badge that you can add to your personal blog TODAY, and a BbWorld Blogger t-shirt (rock your t-shirt at the Client Appreciation Party). We’ll also feature some of the posts on Blackboard Blogs during the week of the show, July 9-13. More details will be shared in June; keep an eye on your email. BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE… For three exceptional bloggers, we’re giving away three FREE passes to BbWorld. Starting today through Friday, May 4, you can enter to be a BbWorld VIP Blogger. Here’s what you need to do:

We’re heading to New Orleans July 10-12 for BbWorld. And this year, the conference will be more than just an annual user’s conference.  While the event will include the same incredible opportunities to network with peers, share best practices and meet with experts from Blackboard and neighboring institutions, the conference has evolved into a true education technology gathering.  Not to mention some hot weather and spicy Creole. This year, we’ve expanded the program and are so excited to bring together outside leaders from across the global Higher Ed, K-12 and Professional Education community to share their perspective on key education topics, directions and trends.  The 2012 program is centered on a few key themes, which were introduced during the CFP process; here they are again: