CT at the Show

• 09/02/08

Campus Technology '08 Moves to Convention Center for Record Turnout

Welcome to Next-Gen.Edu!

TRAILBLAZER KEYNOTE. No one could better represent Next-Gen.Edu and set the tone for the Campus Technology '08 summer conference than opening keynote Adrian Sannier, Arizona State University's outspoken senior VP and university technology officer. Drawing from his ambitious work (with ASU President Michael Crow) to build the "New American University," Sannier fired up the audience of 861 attendees from 496 institutions to pare back to "core" T&L tech competencies and "get someone bigger and smarter" to do the rest!

MIT WELCOME: A VISION FOR OPEN EDUCATION. As a welcome and preview for the pre-conference tours of MIT's high-tech learning spaces and initiatives, all pre-conference attendees were treated to a plenary talk by MIT Office of Educational Innovation and Technology Director Vijay Kumar.

MODEL INNOVATOR. To set the stage for Campus Technology Editor-in-Chief Kathy Grayson's recognition of the 2008 Campus Technology Innovators at the Wednesday morning general session, Montclair State University (NJ) VP of IT Ed Chapel reflected on innovations at his own university. (Chapel and Montclair State were 2007 Innovator award winners.) The awards presentation moved on to deliver 14 mini case studies teeming with fresh campus tech ideas for attendees.

MYTH OR MANDATE? CT Ed-in-Chief Kathy Grayson (standing) took the podium to moderate the closing general session, "Shootout! Bracing for the Next-Gen Student Wave." Grayson led a high-powered panel through questions based on a research presentation by Project Tomorrow CEO Julie Evans (photo, right)-- all to uncover whether or not our campuses are ready for next-gen students. The interactive session involved the attendees in controversial discussions and incorporated audience polling technology by Turning Technologies. Panelists (above): At far left, David Miller, University of Connecticut; Alicia Russell, Northeastern University (MA). To the right of Grayson: Julie Evans; Anne Moore, Virginia Tech; Steve Acker, Ohio Board of Regents; and Jim Maraviglia, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

MIT STANDING ROOM ONLY. This year's track sessions were long on the latest Web 2.0 tools, trends, and analyses, underlying our theme of Next-Gen.Edu. Sessions in five tracks-- 21st Century Classroom, Web 2.0, .Edu Application Walk-Thrus, CT Innovators, and .Edu Infrastructure-- were filled to capacity. SRO for latecomers highlighted the wisdom of pre-registering for sessions. Pictured: David Miller's session on classroom, pre-, and post-podcasting at the University of Connecticut.

WINNING WORKSHOPS. Several pre-conference workshops focused on technologies and strategies to help attendees leverage the best of Web 2.0 and next-gen collaboration technologies for their institutions. A sample (clockwise, from top): Bethany Bovard of New Mexico State University led jam-packed sessions of attendees in live, hands-on use of the latest Web 2.0 tools; Georgia College & State University's Jim Wolfgang discussed unleashing innovation using collaboration technologies; and Washington State University's Gary Brown considered the role of "worldware" in student success.

PACKED POSTERS. Poster sessions gave attendees highly personalized session content experiences along with great networking possibilities. This year, many poster presenters elected to supplement their presentations with laptop demonstrations-- the perfect complement to posted content.

EXHILARATING EXHIBITS. Attendees flocked to more than 100 vendor exhibits in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center exhibit hall. Conference registrants enjoyed plenty of time for one-on-one demos and short-list queries; vendors appreciated the high level of attendee qualification.

PRESENTATION THEATER. A series of indepth technology "walk-thrus" by vendors made the Presentation Theater in the exhibit hall a key destination for those browsing the exhibits. Attendees enjoyed the latest product information, helpful tips, and Q&A with exhibitors. Pictured: TechSmith's Camtasia Studio.

Editor's note: Conference proceedings and session recordings are available here. And save the date: Next year's conference will again return to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center July 27-30.