Wimba's Blog

Creative Uses Abound - from Sign Language to Online Conferences

I'm amazed on almost daily basis by the creative ways in which schools worldwide use Wimba to collaborate.  From teaching yoga online in California to having students in Singapore learn about wildlife in the Arctic, novel uses of our collaborative products crop up every day.  In fact, in just the last few hours we learned of two more creative uses of Wimba.

Linda Briggs at Campus Technology Magazine just wrote an amazing feature article about how Bloomsburg University in central Pennsylvania has one of the world's foremost accessibility programs.  Led by Dr. Sam Slike's introductory course on the history, education, and guidance of the deaf and hard of hearing, Bloomsburg offers a master of science program for teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing; Bloomsburg is well known for providing educational opportunities for the deaf. "We're making it possible for deaf and hard of hearing people to have equal access to information via the Internet."  Great job, Bloomsburg!

We also just learned this morning that the Iowa Small Library Association (ISLA) along with Northwest, Southwest, and Central LSAs, are organizing a totally online conference via Wimba slated for January 16, 2008. “Connection, Collaboration, Community: The Iowa Small Libraries Online Conference (ISLOC)” will be in the dead of winter, and, as they on its blog, you don’t even have to leave town!

More additions to Wimba

I'm happy to announce a few new additions to the Wimba family.  First, as many of you know, we've already doubled our staff since this time last year.  One of these additions is Donna Krausman, our brand new Director of Corporate Marketing, who, among 2,482 other duties, will be co-writing this blog with me.  So I want to welcome Donna to our Wimba ways; you'll all be hearing from her very shortly. 

Second, on Wednesday November 28, be on the look out for an announcement about several more institutions throughout the UK adopting the Wimba Collaboration Suite.  Our UK team is quite proud to be working with these elite institutions, and myself, here in the States, wish to welcome these new institutions aboard (from abroad) as well.

Matt

Sessions and workshops announced for Wimba Connect 2008

The Wimba Connect 2008 sessions and pre-conference workshops have been announced!

Sessions
Whether you want to learn about Best Practices, Effective Instructional Design, Lessons Learned, or Adoption, the program for Wimba Connect features more than 40 presentations geared toward Wimba users - and prospects - of all levels. Wimba users from as far as Israel and from institutions as varied as business schools, 4-year colleges, K12, and community colleges will share their years of expertise with you.

Pre-Conference Workshops
For only $99, you can attend as many as four 3-hour hands-on pre-conference workshops to ensure you learn the nitty-gritty about using Wimba. Workshop topics range from Succeeding In Wimba Classroom to Mastering Wimba Voice to Managing Your Wimba Implementation and even allow you to get on track to becoming a certified Wimba Product Specialist. Please note that space is limited for these workshops, so please sign up as soon as possible!

Please go to http://www.wimba.com/connect08 to view the entire program.

See you in Orlando!
Matt

Wimba Connect 2008 Schedule Is Imminent...

I'm back!  Sorry for the long delay and subsequent lack of blogging.  Between the move to our new office, EDUCAUSE, a number of on-campus visits, and going through another funding raise, we've been swamped.  But now I come bearing exciting news....

We're days away from announcing the complete sessions and pre-conference workshop schedules for Wimba Connect 2008!  We know that our first global users conference will allow the Wimba (and greater educational) community to finally collaborate face-to-face.  Whether you're an instructional designer who wants to learn about best practices, a faculty member seeking unique ways to engage learners, or a CIO who needs to understand how Wimba can help his or her institution increase retention rates, increase student engagement, enhance learning, and improve outcomes, Wimba Connect will be useful for staff at all levels of an institution.  Please watch http://www.wimba.com/connect08 for the schedule to be posted...

Sessions
Whether you want to learn about Best Practices, Effective Instructional Design, Lessons Learned, or Adoption, the program for Wimba Connect will feature more than 40 presentations geared toward Wimba users - and prospects - of all levels. Wimba users from as far as Israel and from institutions as varied as business schools, 4-year colleges, K12, and community colleges will share their years of expertise with you.

Pre-Conference Workshops
For only $99, you can attend as many as four three-hour hands-on pre-conference workshops to ensure you learn the nitty-gritty about using Wimba. Workshop topics range from Succeeding In Wimba Classroom to Mastering Wimba Voice to Managing Your Wimba Implementation, and even allow you to get on track to becoming a certified Wimba Product Specialist. Please note that space will be limited for these workshops, so once they're announced, please sign up as soon as possible.

Have a great weekend!

Matt