And the hunt is on...xpLor Blackboard 2013 digital ScavHunt!

After you checked in with Registration, you might have noticed people taking a plethora of "selfies" in a variety of situations. Bean bags built into forts, voguing with their best Madonna poses, and Bb Cabbage Patch babies being cooed at by normally mature and responsible adults...who are WAY past their childhoods. Though Vegas does seem to lower inhibitions, a greater power is at work here. Actually, TWO greater powers...competition, and sweet, sweet prizes!

It's the second year for the Blackboard/GooseChase/Geoteaming scavenger hunt, and frankly, I'm feeling some pressure. Two of my colleagues from Kansas came in second and third last year, while I was a paltry 234th. Against my better judgement, I brought one of the winners back this year, and he's out to WIN! But not content to be a 234th-place-also-ran, I've been studying the "game" and have even read head-Geoteamer John Chen's book, "50 Digital Team Building Games." So when a green-clad Geoteaming staffer approached me and offered to help me get started with the app, I laughingly smirked at him and said, "I got this!" Upon further thinking, though, I decided I might be able to interrogate him in a subtle manner, and perhaps wheedle some game winning tips out of him. Rest assured, Mr. Chen, he stayed true to the game. No secrets were revealed!

But I was curious as to how someone becomes a professional scavenger hunter, so I asked my helpful (but tight-lipped) new friend, Jordan Hathaway. It turns out that he was PLAYING a Geoteaming game at a conference a few months ago, and ended up working for the Seattle-based company. I consider this an inspiration to kids everywhere. Hard work AND play can take you places, in this case Vegas, with a cool job that takes you to conferences all over the country!

Oops...In the time that I've been writing this blog, I've slipped from 3rd to 9th place, and I see that last year's WINNER has entered the fray. Not good.

Well, time to concentrate on the real reason that I'm here at Blackboard World...learning, networking, and interacting with a few thousand of my closest friends! (But I certainly won't turn down some Beats by Dre if I manage to win them!)


Off to the opening keynote,

J

So, it's another year, another hot summer, and another Blackboard World. This is number four for me (plus two ANGEL Users Conferences,) and I must echo the familiar refrain "Ain't no party like a Blackboard party!" The sheer spectacle can be overwhelming, so for you novices out there...enjoy, learn, network, and stay hydrated. I doubt that Red Bull and vodka has much hydration value, but who knows?

A year ago, if you would have asked me if I'd be in Vegas this year, I would have shaken my head in a negative fashion, and dramatically declared, "Never again! This is my last Blackboard World." You see, my college uses ANGEL, and we were actively conducting a search for a new LMS at the time. I had my eye on another LMS, starts with C and ends with S, and was sure that I'd be cavorting with the Pandas in Park City come June of 2013. Alas, it was not to be. So that, my friends, is why you should NEVER say NEVER! (See me at BbW if you want the "scoop!" ;-)

I'm excited for Vegas, and though I should be packing, I'm taking the time to jot down some thoughts before jetting off to "Sin City." I'm anticipating the keynote speakers, Clay Shirky and Sugata Mitra, not to mention our first interaction with new president and CEO, Jay Bhatt. I want to talk with other ANGEL users who are migrating to Learn 9.1 (SP bazillion) and compare notes with them. I want to see xpLor run through its paces. And last, but certainly not least, I want to connect with my Blackboard community buddies that I only get to "see" once a year!

Oh yeah...this blogging thing... Be kind. This is my first time to officially blog! I got a taste of the spotlight last year by being featured on the BIG SCREEN as a Twitter Top Influencer, so I guess it was a natural progression. I volunteered, they said yes, so here I am!

See you soon,
J