We arrive at
Evergreen Valley College in San Jose, CA on Tuesday afternoon to start setting up for the
Online Teaching Conference pre-conference workshops that are scheduled for the next day.
Disclaimer: Yes - I did retire from coordinating the conference last year. In fact, Tiffiny has taken over my role and has done a great job. I am simply helping out. Turns out, retirement is more of a process than a specific event for me.
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| EVC campus |
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Hummm... the buildings look dark and what
are all these electrical trucks doing on campus? |
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We quickly learn the campus has lost power to all except for two buildings. The source of the power outage is unknown as well as the duration.
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| Both EVC and OTC staffs explore options |
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| Fortunately we have enough operational computer labs for the workshops |
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With the next 24 hours figured out, we head to our lodgings, the beautiful
Hayes Mansion Hotel. We agree to just relax and not to think too much of what lays ahead for the main conference.
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| Hayes Mansion in late afternoon |
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| Evening in the patio bar |
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| nightfall @ the patio bar. |
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We arrive early - 7am - on Wednesday morning to prepare for the pre-conference workshops with our fingers crossed that the power will soon return for the main conference.
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| Morning fog lifts over the surround hills |
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| Directional signs |
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| Tiffiny and Heather ready at the registration desk |
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The workshop attendees start coming in and are directed to their new rooms while we keep our fingers crossed there won't be any monsters crawling out of the electric closets.
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| Murel in Visual Arts |
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Pre-Conference Workshops
The Distance Education Coordinators is a big success with people coming from all over California and beyond to attend.
The CCC Confer Instructor Certification workshop works great as a BYOL (Bring Your Own Laptop) lab.
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| Donna G. demonstrates at the podium |
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| Blaine helps an attendee |
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Donna Eyestone's video workshop sold out audience is hard at work learning new skills.
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| Donna looks over her students' shoulders |
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| This is interesting |
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| Donna gives individual instruction |
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Michelle PB's popular Voice Thread workshop is a room full of happy campers.
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| MPB demoing VT |
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| Attendee trying setting up her own VT |
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EVC staff save the remainder of the conference by hiring in a enormous generator to power up the main building used for concurrent meetings for the rest of the conference. By the afternoon, technicians are hard at work installing the generator to get ready for the next morning.
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| Now that's a generator! |
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| Cupertino Electric does the install |
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| with lots and lots of cables. |
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Main Conference
By the Thursday morning we are all ready to go.
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| Sponsor tables set up and waiting for attendees |
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| List of room changes |
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| Phil focuses camera for Keynote |
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The control booth is fired up and ready to roll
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| Connie monitoring the video stream |
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| Chris checking the sound and light levels |
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| EVC staff at the sound board |
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Lights, camera, action - the show does go on.
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| Initial speaker before Keynote |
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After the keynote address, we hold our breath that all the concurrents are working smoothly under generator power.
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| VP Keith with his trusty steed ready to roll |
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| Anthony presents his session on iTunes U |
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| Whew - it's all working and our audience looks engaged |
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Thanks to the collaboration and problem solving of both the EVC and OTC staffs, the rest of the conference goes smoothly.
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| Attendee studies program for next event |
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| Elvis has a good time |
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| Micah sez "See I told you it would all work out, Marti" |
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Reception
We are all especially thankful for both
Oracle and the
Wall Street Journal for making the reception possible this year. By the end of the day, we are ready to celebrate.
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| Directional sign |
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| outdoor location on the shore of a lake |
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| Food looks great |
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| nicely laid out tables |
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| Chocolate! |
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Nasreen has arranged for her Bollywood Dance Troupe to provide entertainment. She recruits some of the EVC and OTC staff to join in on the dance. Me? I'm taking photos.
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| Younger troupe member |
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| Dance with colorful scarves |
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| Nasreen |
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Thanks to all for a successful conference
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| Shashi and John, part of the hard working EVC staff |
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| Phil happy it went well |
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| Michelle's new best friend - head of EVC Catering |
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At the end we all pack up and head home, hoping to stage another event next year.
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| Tiffiny and Mirla pulling equipment cases away |
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