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Watch Videos of the BbWorld Commerce '08 Keynote Addresses

BbWorld Commerce ’08 drew a large contingent of Blackboard clients to Phoenix in March, to share best practices and hear the latest product news from Blackboard, including the release of Blackboard Video Surveillance and the integration of Connect-ED mass messaging.

A highlight of the conference this year was the line-up, in the morning sessions, of arguably the two best keynote presentations we’ve ever had:

• Dr. Mark Milliron of Catalyze Learning, who discussed the newest generation of students and how they prefer to learn
• Dr. Adrian Sannier from Arizona State University, who discussed the evolution of strategic campus technology alliances

Many conference attendees told me how insightful they found both of these speakers and how useful the information provided in their addresses was to them.  Several people specifically wanted to share the speeches with their colleagues back on campus.

Well, now you can watch and share videos of the keynote addresses.

The Blackboard Commerce Events Train Rolls On: From Phoenix to Las Vegas

Two weeks ago in Phoenix, we held the most successful BbWorld Commerce since the inception of our annual campus commerce users conference.  Over 400 people participated in the events, which included 37 client-led sessions, 15 partner demos, amazing networking and parties each evening, inspiring messages shared by the keynote speakers . . . the list goes on.

I think you could say BbWorld Commerce '08 was both rewarding and fun for everyone.  It was so good, in fact, we at Blackboard are gearing up already for BbWorld Commerce '09.

At the conference last month, we introduced two new campus solutions: Blackboard Video Surveillance and Blackboard Connect-ED.  We also discussed the migration path to the Blackboard Transaction System - Universal Edition 3.0.  The constant buzz about these new options increased the excitement at the conference each day.

Attendees -- Blackboard users, employees and partners -- were focused on making smart, safe and secure decisions that will impact campuses, and how to use innovative products and services to ensure student needs are met daily.  Very important stuff, and there are more good things coming soon that will be of interest to you.

If you weren't able to join the conference in Phoenix, don’t fret: we want you to be part of the excitement and will be at NACCU next week in Las Vegas, and can fill you in.

At NACCU, you can find us in Booth #501, providing fully interactive demonstrations of Blackboard Video Surveillance and Blackboard Universal Edition 3.0.

If you missed any of the product announcements and discussions during BbWorld Commerce '08, definitely come by and see us at NACCU.  The Blackboard Commerce Events train is rolling into Las Vegas -- hop aboard!  Feel free to contact us before the conference at commerce@blackboard.com.  See you in Vegas.

Reflecting on BbWorld Commerce '08

BbWorld Commerce ’08 is now history.  I hope you were in Phoenix to participate and learn from peers and members of the Blackboard Team.  This annual event has been gathering steam and this year was the best ever.

Holding this event in Phoenix has the great advantage of enabling over 100 members of the Blackboard Team to interact directly with clients, face-to-face.  The result is better relationships and improved communication.

For me, seeing Blackboard Team members attend client presentations is as exciting as seeing clients attend Blackboard presentations.  We have a chance to learn what is happening on campuses and see how our product is being used to help deliver services to students.  Dialog often begins during a session and continues in the casual events where people gather to sit and eat and laugh.  For a few days we all share a unique educational experience that has tremendous long-term benefits to both Blackboard and all campus partners.

Our experience in 2007 helped the Blackboard Commerce Management Team drive development and content for the 2008 event.  The introductions of Blackboard Video Surveillance and the Blackboard Connect-ED product were major hits at this year’s event.  The buzz on the trade show floor and in sessions was all about these new solutions, as well as thoughts about public-facing video content and the work on Blackboard’s next-generation transaction solution.  Client support and feedback for existing product development tracks were very encouraging and will yield even more in terms of meaningful solutions over the next 12 months.

We sincerely appreciate your willingness to share your ideas and campus-based experiences.  We are committed to making this happen as frequently as possible.  The President’s Advisory Committee (PAC) is now one year old and represents one example of this commitment.  The current members are Kathy Ragan, Jeanine Brooks, Mary Goff, Brenda Hovden, John Beckwith, Patrick Bolwahnn and Jerry Swarts.  Each member participates actively with Russ Carlson and the Commerce Management Team.  Among the host of topics discussed at multiple times during the year are:

• Product direction feedback
• Campus issues of concern to clients
• User conference content review

For BbWorld Commerce ’09 we will be looking for several interested clients to fill four vacant positions on the PAC.  There will be a more formal announcement of this, but if you have interest now, please e-mail me at tbell@blackboard.com.

Special thanks to the PAC members, all of the 2008 presenters, and the BbWorld Commerce Logistics Committee, led by Kristy Bonanno, for delivering a great educational experience.

BbWorld Commerce '08: What a Show! Thanks for Attending

A note of thanks from my Blackboard Commerce colleague Jeff Staples:

Last week we had an opportunity to welcome more than 300 valued clients, partners and friends to BbWorld Commerce ’08 – an increase in attendance of more than 15% from last year.

This conference featured 37 client-led presentations, two of the best keynote presentations we’ve ever had, exciting new product announcements, an active exhibit hall and one of the best networking opportunities of the year.  That it was at held at a beautiful resort in Phoenix, Arizona, with 80 degree temperatures, was icing on the cake.

The announcement of the new Blackboard Video Surveillance offering received a huge response from conference attendees and the media, as the announcement was picked-up by more than a dozen media outlets. 

Holding this client conference near Blackboard’s Commerce headquarters in Phoenix presented a fantastic opportunity for clients to mix with over 100 Blackboard team members.  The exchanges between clients and the Blackboard team are critically important, and provide invaluable insight that affects every element of our product and service delivery. 

For those who joined us this year, thank you for making this the best BbWorld Commerce yet!  We look forward to welcoming our valued clients to BbWorld Commerce ’09.  We will return to the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix!

Recent BbTV Filming and a Recommendation: GRCCTV

BlackboardTV (or “BbTV”) crew members have been filming on location recently, including at the University of Cincinnati and BbWorld Commerce ’08, Blackboard’s annual users conference for campus card professionals, held March 9–12 in Phoenix.

Our BlackboardTV K-12 group also filmed an announcement for the upcoming 2nd Annual True Blackboard Stories Video Contest.  Before the contest begins, see details of last year’s contest and view the winning entry by Minnetonka Public Schools in Minnesota.

BbTV recorded keynote addresses at the conference in Phoenix and interviewed academic computing directors, campus card service managers, CIOs, wired professors, faculty trainers, facilities directors and students.  In dozens of formal sit-down interviews and person-on-the-street mini-interviews, these Blackboard users have shared best practices for, and their respective institution’s innovative uses of, Blackboard software, hardware and services.

In the coming weeks BbTV will post some of these videos here on EducateInnovate.com, add others to the Media Center of the Blackboard website and augment the user-created videos archived in the BlackboardTV Channel on YouTube, and embed a few into e-mails to be sent directly to Blackboard users.

For educators and staff members seeking ways to use video in a Blackboard environment, in classroom teaching and learning, or across your campus, I highly recommend a YouTube Channel created by Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC): GRCCTV.

Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, GRCC has more than 14,000 students enrolled in over 1,600 liberal arts and occupational courses.  On its GRCCTV Channel, Eric Kunnen and his colleagues post video recordings of campus lectures and courses, and archive thought-provoking and cool education videos.  The school even offers streaming video tours of its individual programs on the GRCC website.

Amidst the 420+ videos in the GRCCTV archives is this interesting little 20-second clip with the description “Student uses mobile device (iPhone) to take a Blackboard assessment in a Business Law class.”

Please help BbTV increase the online video archive we’re building for Blackboard users around the world by sending us suggestions for videos we should feature here on EducateInnovate.com and the BlackboardTV Channel.  We can be reached at BbTV@blackboard.com.

BbWorld Commerce ‘08: Going on Day 3

Greetings from Phoenix, Arizona, on day three of BbWorld Commerce ’08!

On Saturday afternoon I boarded a flight from BWI airport and headed here to Phoenix for the annual Blackboard users conference, which officially opened on Sunday afternoon.  I wanted to arrive in time to attend Pre-Conference workshops held before the opening keynote, as well as get out of the rainy, 29-degree weather that we'd been having in the Washington, D.C. area.  In Phoenix the weather has been beautiful: there's nothing but sun here, and the temperature each day has been in the low `80s.

When I arrived at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort on Saturday evening, I settled into my room and discovered I had an amazing view from my balcony: a placid blue pool to one side and, to the other side, a range of desert hills full of running trails . . . Looks like a challenge to me.

Saturday evening I ate an excellent dinner (a dish called "Angry Chicken Salad") with several Blackboard users who are attending the conference and some Blackboard colleagues.  We dined at one of the several restaurants here at the resort, called a Pointe in Tyme.  Of course, we didn't pass on dessert, a wonderful chocolate volcano.  If you like chocolate, you'd have been jealous.

Sunday morning I woke early (my body's still on East Coast time!) and headed into the nearby hills for a short trail run.  I completed 3+ miles before succumbing to the terrain and altitude.  I think if I could run the trails here daily, I'd eventually become an Ironman.  However, after the conference ends tomorrow, I have to head back to D.C.  Until then, I am loving the desert views in every direction from this resort; the dry, warm weather here; and the interesting people I've met each morning on the running trails.

After Pre-Conference sessions and lunch on Sunday, I attended the main conference's opening session, in which Blackboard Commerce President Russ Carlson welcomed everyone.  Russ discussed the new Blackboard Commerce line of products that will be available this summer, and officially unveiled the innovative new offerings that will be available in the coming weeks, like Blackboard Video Surveillance.

The audience seemed excited -- fired up! -- to hear the details of these forthcoming products and how they can benefit their home campuses.  Several Blackboard users have asked me to ensure they receive e-mail updates about these new products.

Following Russ's opening keynote address on Sunday afternoon, the Exhibit Hall opened, and we all moved there for an Opening Reception, with a catered buffet dinner, and had the opportunity to view offerings and product demonstrations from Blackboard's partners.

The excitement amongst conference attendees to learn more about these new opportunities and network with peers throughout the Campus Card community, sharing best practices, continued through Monday.  Yesterday morning, the main keynote address was delivered by Dr. Mark Milliron, president and CEO of Catalyze Learning International, then client-led sessions began and partner demonstrations continued through the afternoon.  Last night everyone at the conference met for another beautifully designed buffet dinner at the Different Pointe of View Restaurant, located on the highest point of the Tapatio Cliffs Resort, with nearly 360-degree stunning views of the twinkling lights of Phoenix.

The conference continues today.  Activities began early with a three-mile fun run at 6:30 AM, then a keynote address by Dr. Adrian Sannier, the CIO of Arizona State University, and now more client-led sessions.  This evening, of course, is the Client Appreciation Party.

I'm enjoying the activities here immensely and hope everyone attending is, as well.  If you weren't able to join us this year, BlackboardTV is here and crew members have been recording events.  In the coming weeks we'll be sharing the highlights, the desert views, some of the keynotes, and advice and best practices from Blackboard users over at the BlackboardTV Channel on YouTube.

A Different Pointe of View

I am always looking for new ways to approach things in life because doing something the same way each time does not always work or it can be boring.  I like to get different perspectives.  I seek unique ideas.  I want the New, New Thing – per Michael Lewis.  For instance, I don’t always follow the routine or the standard.  I mix it up – sometimes by design, sometimes by convenience and, of course, sometimes because the first chance was missed.

For instance, my fiancée and I took a different approach to the nationally celebrated Valentine’s Day.  Rather than adhere to the rules that Hallmark has bestowed upon the country that there’s only one true day for love and it should cost you an arm and leg just to celebrate it, we decided to wait a week and splurge at our leisure.  We ended up spending an amazing evening at a very nice restaurant here in DC.  In my mind, it is now one of the restaurants that I associate as a “must-go-back” place.

As I say these words “must go,” it makes me think: If this restaurant was that amazing, what are some other “must-go-back” venues?  What are the places I need to go back to more than just once in a lifetime?  And the answer hits me!

In less than a week, I know that I will be at another “must-go-back” place: Next Monday, March 10, I’ll be at BbWorld Commerce ’08, and I will be dining at A Different Pointe of View restaurant, sitting atop the North Mountain in Phoenix with some of the most stunning views available in the country.

I know very few places that give you this type of atmosphere – that combined with the food and service that all high-end restaurants are renowned for.  Plus, it’ll be dining with 300 friends and colleagues.  What’s even better is, this dinner is on us.  You don’t open your wallets for this meal.  Now, that alone would make this place a “must-go-back” place.

I am looking for people to join me at my table on the patio for what will be fantastic evening event.  Most events have great activities for their attendees to attend, yet very few have places that you must go back to . . . BbWorld Commerce does.

See you next weekend at the conference.

Another "Super Bowl" in Arizona?

Did you watch this year's Super Bowl?  The New York Giants vs. the undefeated New England Patriots in Arizona: what a game and what an amazing ending -- a dramatic come from behind victory in the final minute of the biggest game (and sporting event) of the year.  What more could you ask for?  It was truly one of the most riveting spectacles I have witnessed in the past 30 years.

You have to love big events like that.  They bring people together from all across the country and even across the world.  And that one game is a special opportunity to share “water cooler” conversation with people you may not get to talk with very often around the office, campus, school . . . “Hey, did you see that game last night!  Wow!”

Well, the Super Bowl got me thinking . . . What other big events are there this year that will garner as much attention – sure, there’s the NASCAR championship series, maybe March Madness, the World Series . . . Ah, but before all of those events, there is another big event in Arizona, in just two weeks, that’s sure to receive a huge amount of attention from the hundreds of people in attendance and, when those participants return to their respective campuses across the country, will influence millions of people in schools, colleges and universities nationwide: yep, BbWorld Commerce ’08!

BbTV: How Do You Visualize e-Learning?

BlackboardTV (or "BbTV") is a new, multimedia initiative to help e-Learning innovators -- designers, instructors, students -- visualize online teaching and learning.

Look for BbTV crew members filming during BbWorld Commerce '08 in Phoenix (March 9-12), and at DevCon '08 and BbWorld '08 in Las Vegas (July 14-15 and July 15-18, respectively).  We've archived a wealth of video resources at the BlackboardTV Channel on YouTube, and each Saturday we'll post a video here on EducateInnovate, such as:

• Works about the global Blackboard community of users created by BbTV producers
• Instructional videos produced by Blackboard users, with tips for teaching and learning online
• Thought-provoking or witty clips about education and technology
• Cool videos we stumble across and just plain like

For our first recommendation, it seems appropriate to post a brief (1:35) informational video created by McDaniel College and posted originally to YouTube, demonstrating how to add a YouTube clip to your Blackboard environment:

McDaniel College, a private, four-year liberal arts college with 1,600 students, is located in Westminster, MD, about 30 miles northwest of Baltimore.  Thanks, McDaniel, for sharing your knowledge and helping us in the Blackboard community visualize e-Learning!

We invite you to share with BbTV suggestions for videos that should be featured here on EducateInnovate.  No clip is too short; no video, too funny!  Send your videos to us, or links to clips you like, at BbTV@blackboard.com.

The Blog Habit

Hi, my name is Greg, and I'm a blog addict.

I admit it. I check the feeds of the blogs I subscribe to in Google Reader before I hop in the shower in the mornings. At lunchtime, you'll find me sitting at my desk, sandwich in hand, scrolling through the morning's posts and spamming my colleagues with forwarded tidbits that I've gleaned from my mid-day dose. And usually at some point in the late afternoon, as the meetings and decisions and deliverables wear me down, stepping away from it all to check the blogs again usually nets me some new idea that gives me a rush, reminds me why I love the field of educational technology, and energizes me enough to get me through the rest of the day.

So this time around, I've decided to share a list of some of the educational technology blogs that make up part of my daily fix. What follows, in no particular order, are twenty of the best education blogs as judged by . . . well, me. It's a totally subjective list and it's by no means exhaustive, but all of these authors post regularly and all of them have introduced me to great new ideas at one point or another. But if you should get hooked yourself, you can't say I didn't warn you. ;-)

February Commerce Bulletin Available

We recently published the February 2008 issue of the Blackboard Commerce Bulletin, our quarterly newsletter designed specifically for users of Blackboard’s campus card solutions.

The issue is full of content, including:

• New Year update from Russ Carlson, president of the Blackboard Commerce group
• Preview of BbWorld Commerce ’08, to be held in Phoenix, March 9–12
• Details of the new Blackboard–Sony partnership created to offer contactless card technology to Blackboard clients
• Profile of Grand Rapids Community College in Western Michigan, focusing on how the school is improving its on-campus services
• Profile of Western State College of Colorado, which recently migrated its Blackboard Transaction System from a Unix to a Universal edition
• Product updates in the Blackboard Commerce Suite

We’re very interested in hearing which type of articles you find to be the most useful.  Please send your feedback and story suggestions to blogfeedback@blackboard.com.

Where Best Practices, New Friends and a Warm Sun Are Coming Together

While making final arrangements for my trip to Phoenix next month, to attend BbWorld Commerce ’08, it struck me anew that this year will be my first time attending the conference.  And I began to contemplate the many reasons that Blackboard users, who use a Blackboard system day in and day out, cite for attending the event.

Well, one reason certainly is the location: Phoenix, where the average temperature each March is in the ’70s.  After months of freezing temperatures across much of the northern part of the country, with freezing rain and snow, I think we all deserve a short respite in the sun and warmth of the Arizona desert.

But, more importantly, the conference offers many options for attendees – all sorts of opportunities relevant to users who have varying levels of experience with their Blackboard implementations.  For example, experienced users will be heading up client-led sessions to show newer users their best practices and innovative uses of their systems.

My colleagues here in the office, some of whom have attended the conference every year since its inception, cite the sense of community they feel during each users event as the impetus for the conference theme chosen for this year: “Coming Together.”   I like that theme: it makes explicit the fact that users in the Blackboard community look out for each other, like family.

So, if you’ll be a first-timer at the conference like me, e-mail me before the event at jsternberg@blackboard.com, or find me onsite, and please introduce yourself.  I look forward to meeting more of my peers in the campus card community and hope to see you in warm Arizona.