Six hundred FUSION 2008 fans filled the Memphis Convention Centre in historic downtown Memphis for 6 days to create connections and gather inspiration as everyone shared their experiences using D2L. The main conference was packed with over 140 exemplary breakout sessions, two tremendous Keynote Speakers, an eventful Expert Panel, an exciting Product Launch, numerous demopods, and the exhilarating debut of Desire2Learn on Demand and Discovery Lounge.
With an agenda overflowing with presentations and social events, we started the week at the Pink Palace, Memphis' tribute to the finer arts, complete with a historic market and recipe for a shrunken head! But the influence of the music roots of Memphis was unmistakable as even novice gamers took up the challenge and jumped onstage to become a Guitar Hero.
Arlin Epperson (Columbia College, left) and Bob Beatty (Fanshawe College, right) share a historical moment with John Baker (Desire2Learn CEO and President) at the Pink Palace.
FUSION presented an unequalled collection of inspiring speakers such as keynotes George Siemens and Jason Ohler as well as industry visionaries such as Michael Feldstein, Barry Dahl, Robbie Melton and Stephen Downes who presented an insightful look into the potential of what the future holds. With a live, streamed back channel set up by Stephen for those of you unable to attend the conference in person, everyone was able to share the panel's insight and express their opinions on a number of issues.
BlackBerry brought a strong supporting presence to Fusion, providing a platform for the exciting new Desire2Learn 2GO application unveiled at the product launch; several of our attendees were even lucky enough to be selected to take one home with them!
Desire2Learn ePortfolio was given to all conference attendees to capture their learning journey at FUSION 2008. Clients will have access to ePortfolio until September 30, 2008. Additionally all clients have access to The Community Course. Both Desire2Learn ePortfolio and the Community Course (login to Community Updates) contain all of the conference presentations.
Photo courtesy of TerriLynn Brown (Calgary Board of Education)
This year we were thrilled to introduce The Executive Program. This sold-out, one-day program focused on honing the skills of our Senior and Executive Academic Leaders and fired the imaginations of everyone who attended.
- Susan Patrick, N…A…C…O…L (NACOL) K-12 Transitions to Higher Ed
- Susan Aldridge, President, The University of Maryland: Creating and Sustaining and Leading Institutions
- Greg Jackson, Vice President and CIO, The University of Chicago: Technology and Digital Content as Enablers
- Richard Garrett, Title, Eduventures: Extending Your Program Locally and Globally
We couldn't make a trip to the home of rock and soul without a visit to Graceland. We loved taking a trip back in time to the epitome of the luxury and opulence of the seventies that is the home of the King. And no visit to Memphis could ever be complete without a taste of the finest barbecue available - Corky's Big BBQ put dinner on the table as we were treated to tremendous live local music. In the Pavilion, Preston Shannon laid on us the great big blues sounds and from on top of the tables to on top of the bass, The Dempseys put on a show in the Car Museum that no one will forget.
Overall – in the words of Robbie Melton: Life is Good, Life is Good.
We would like to extend a sincere thank-you to all of the attendees, presenters and sponsors, with a very special thanks to The Tennessee Board of Regents, South West Tennessee Community College and the University of Memphis.
Check in soon - plans are in the making for FUSION 2009 - you won't want to miss it!
