This year’s Educause Conference was held in a hybrid format where some sessions were presented in person at Philadelphia, PA, others online through Zoom or the Educause platform, and some sessions in both. This was a valiant effort by Educause to accommodate attendees who wanted an in-person experience and those who were limited to or preferred to stay in their respective location and attend online.
Personal Experience
I had a pretty good time during this online conference; however, I do feel as though I missed out on a lot that I could have experienced if I attended in person. So I came up with a pros and cons list about my experience “at” the conference – please note: this is from the perspective of a first-time attendee of Educause (no previous experience online or in-person) and first deep dive at Higher Ed.
Pros
- As a directionally-challenged person, avoided the struggle of looking through a map to find the location of a session
- Was able to view links and resources in real-time during the presentation
- and continue viewing after the session was over
- Had a close up view of the presentations; was not limited to a seated view in a physical space
- Was able to continue my work during breaks between sessions
- Those who did not register for the conference could still see the presentation via room casting
- ex. Wiebke sharing her screen in Weitz 027
Cons
- Was not able to connect with others as easily than in person
- The online chat was only enabled during the presentation; disabled as soon as the presentation was over
- Would have been nice if there was a virtual room immediately after sessions to discuss the topics covered during the presentation
- Poster sessions were not recorded
- and not really posters – more like accelerated presentations
- Even though braindates were scheduled before the sessions began for the day, the braindate I attended happened during another session I wanted to attend
Viewing Party
“Recordings and on-demand content will be available for viewing until November 29, 2021.”
That being said, we must schedule a time to view any interested sessions before the end of Fall term. Thus far, there is some agreement to hold viewing part(y/ies) on Friday afternoon because people aren’t as busy at that time.
‘Viewable Sessions’ include General, Featured, and Industry Led Sessions (in tabs) that can be streamed during the Viewing Party. ‘Sessions with Resources’ are Meetings and Poster Sessions that were not recorded but do include some PDFs and PowerPoints available for download (let me know if the links work).
Please check out the buttons below and comment when you’re available and what sessions you’re interested in.
Thanks!
Sam Graff
Friday afternoons around 3pm work for me!
Here are the ones that I would like to view:
1. Surviving and Thriving: How College Students Are Navigating New Environments
2. Defining HyFlex: What Does It Mean for the Future of Higher Education?
3. In Support of Equitable Student Learning Experiences, Starting with Assessments
4. Transforming Student Experiences with Artificial Intelligence
5. Elevate Learning Design: Enhance DEI in Online Courses
6. Meeting Student Expectations in the Next Normal
7. Equity, Consistency, Humanity: The Emerging Potential of AI to Improve Learning Experiences
Em Palencia
I’ve noted these down as well as time. Thanks!
Dann Hurlbert
Lots look good, and I’m glad you created such a detailed overview!
If I’m free when we hold a watch party, I’d join whichever the group prefers. This one seems most interesting to me: In Support of Equitable Student Learning Experiences, Starting with Assessments
Em Palencia
Great! Thanks, Dann! I’ve added your input to my notes – that makes 2 for ‘In Support of….’
Doug Foxgrover
Thanks Em!
These sessions look potentially interesting to me:
– Beyond Buzzwords — Ruha Benjamin
– From Resilience to Transformation: What’s Next? (with Carleton alum (and Williams College CIO) Barron Koralesky)
– Surviving and Thriving: How College Students Are Navigating New Environments (Not sure if this will be interesting to watch. A recap of their thoughts and ideas might be more helpful.)
– Designing Futures as a Tool for Learning and Acting (I’ve already looked at the slides from this resource.)
Em Palencia
Great choices, Doug! Adding them to my notes. You weren’t the only one interested in the ‘Surviving and Thriving’ session. The ‘Designing Futures’ session was not recorded but I’m glad the resources worked out for you.
Em Palencia
Also, what’s your availability, Doug?
Carly Born
My interests are:
– From Resilience to Transformation: What’s Next?
– Neurodiversity: The Answer to Bridging the Technology Talent Gap
– The Future of Work Is Here: Reimagining the Higher Ed Workforce of the Future
– The Future of Higher Education Work Is Now!
Em Palencia
What’s your availability, Carly?
Wiebke Kuhn
Friday afternoons work best for me ( a little tricky this week).
Would love to get the chance to see Ruha Benjamin’s talk
Michael Sorrell as well, but not that urgent. – and of course I can view them any time I like, so my comments are less important.
Featured sessions:
From Resilience to Tranformation – I fear that we know all the lessons, but maybe there is a nugget
Surviving and Thriving
Momentary Impacts
Paula Lackie
I’d like to circle back on this & have a second vote for Ruha Benjamin’s talk. Of course I can watch it on my own.
I have a conference proposal out called “jargon busting in data science.” The conference is in early June.