While I’m a firm believer in doing things at a distance, some experiences are very rich when they are in-person. Educause 2009 is just one of those experiences. First, no where in Alaska will you have an opportunity to see and touch technology like the Educause vendor floor. That alone is incredibly valuable. To be able to walk from one vendor to the next comparing products, asking for demos on the spot.
Then, come the keynote speakers. While watching a keynote on your computer screen doesn’t really feel any different from watching the keynote speaker on several large screens surrounded by 5000+ people, listening to people talking about the speaker in the hallways and at lunch does make quite a difference.
The sessions are always hit-and-miss. Some of them are great and others, you wonder why they were accepted to present. Some speakers use their hour to show slide after Powerpoint slide. Others are so interesting that you wished they would continue into the next hour, with examples and ideas.
Of course, ultimately it comes down to the people. Mingling and talking and questioning people from many different universities. Hearing what experiences they have had and how they have solved the same problems that you face. Walking around, living and breathing conference can be exhausting, but ultimately, if you return home with one or two nuggets that you can use, it is well worth it!
I’ll be posting those nuggets very soon.
Posted by Kathi 
