HighEdWeb Blog

Someone asked the other day – “What’s the big deal about 10.10.10?”

Well, there are a few key – and, we think, related answers to that. First off, in binary code (hey! We can be a somewhat geeky crew – you knew we had to go there) 101010 is the number “42” … and as we all know, via The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, 42 is the ultimate answer to Life, the Universe and Everything. It’s a handy and auspicious number, indeed.

Taking this one step farther, the date 10.10.10 has some strong significance in the higher education Web professional world because HighEdWeb 2010 kicks off on October 10. It’s a great conference, and we can’t wait to bring it to Cincinnati, OH,  from October 10-13.

When you look at these two things together – HighEdWeb 2010 kicking off on 10.10.10, and 101010 (aka 42) being the Answer to Everything – well, you have to wonder: sheer coincidence, or cosmic alignment that the conference by and for Web professionals is going to start sharing Web answers on such an auspicious date?

We’ll let you be the judge … but we think you know where we stand.

PS: The call for HighEdWeb 2010 presentation proposals is now open! We encourage presentations in multiple formats and covering a wide range of topics related to the Web and higher education. Presenters at HighEdWeb gain recognition, build their CV/resume, and also earn a discount off conference registration.

Presentation proposals are now being accepted for:

• Workshops (half day pre- and post-conference sessions): due Feb. 26
• Conference Presentations (45-minute conference sessions): due Apr. 1
• Poster Presentations: due Spring 2010

Learn more and submit your proposal:  http://2010.highedweb.org/proposals/.

One of the many strengths of the HighEdWeb (#heweb) Conference is our passionate, engaged community.  As the core of  HighEdWeb — presenters, organizers, and attendees — our community literally IS the conference: without each of you, HighEdWeb would simply not exist.  It’s your dedication that brings us together to learn what’s new and exciting in our profession. It’s your knowledge that creates more than 65 outstanding conference presentations and workshops.  And it’s your passion for the work and for the HighEdWeb experience that feeds the #heweb “backchannel,” where observations, ideas and feedback are generously shared. It seems most appropriate that cutting-edge higher education Web professionals have been the group to embrace and purpose Web-based tools like Twitter in this manner. lndeed, the backchannel has become an excellent resource, allowing Web professionals who are able to attend HighEdWeb as well as others viewing around the world to connect in virtual space, to learn from one another’s experiences, and to continue to advance our profession.

Of course, in addition to serving as a digital community hub, the backchannel can also tell us things that are very difficult to hear, and that was certainly the case with the Twitter conversation regarding one of HighEdWeb 09’s keynote presentations. The keynote was not well-received by the community, and the backchannel reflected that in no uncertain terms.  In the weeks since the conference, this virtual, in-the-moment conversation has spawned a number of *additional,* longer-term discussions regarding topics such as what attendees expect from keynotes, to how to remain professional in backchannel communications, to what it means to embrace a truly free and open stream of communication in the digital age. All of these questions are important and, though the topics may have arisen from a less-than-optimal situation, we are glad to have the opportunity to have these conversations together.

In short, there’s been a lot to learn from the #heweb09 backchannel, for both the Association and attendees, and the conference committee is committed to applying these lessons to improve the conference for 2010 and beyond.  We are very proud of the high quality of the HighEdWeb Conference, and remain dedicated to our core mission of advancing Web professionals, technologies, and standards in higher education. If you have suggestions or would like to join us in exploring these important issues, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to seeing you in Cincinnati for HighEdWeb 2010.

Continuing our series of conference program previews, today it’s time to take a closer look at the Marketing, Management, and Professional Development track — MMP in your program (#1 in your hearts).

Meet the MMP Track Chairs

• Steve Lewis (@stebert): Though this is his first stint chairing a program track, Steve has been involved in HighEdWeb for many years now – serving as the conference co-chair during HighEdWeb’s stint in Rochester and as president of the HighEdWeb Professionals Association. In his day job, Steve is the Web manager / information security coordinator at The College at Brockport, State University of New York.
• Lori Packer (@LoriPA): Lori is the Web editor at the University of Rochester, and has served on the HighEdWeb conference committee for five years. During the conference you can usually find her untangling neck wallets at the registration desk or searching for coffee. This year she’ll need the caffeine even more as she serves on both the conference and program committees.

Tell Us A Little About the MMP Track

The sessions in the Marketing, Management, and Professional Development track address both the goals and the processes involved in the Web development projects we all work on every day. From presenting a unified brand, to organizing and managing a Web office; from planning strategically and measuring success, to just surviving your next redesign: the MMP track offers something for anyone who’s had to take a Web project from concept to implementation.

Why Should Attendees Come to Your Track’s Sessions?

Because MMP rocks, that’s why! Because graduate school is too expensive (see The Case for Professional Development ). Because you don’t want to grow pointy hair when you become the boss.

Anything Special You Want Attendees to Know About Your Track

If you’re the “Web person” in your university’s marketing or PR office, or the “big picture guy” in the IT or Web Services shop, this track is for you. Plus, we’re both program committee newbies this year, so the tack will be flush with naïve enthusiasm – which can make a refreshing change.

Lori Packer

In preparation for HighEdWeb 2009, we’re introducing a bit about each of the program tracks, as narrated straight from the track chairs.

Today’s featured track: Technical, Propeller Hats Required (abbreviated as “TPR” in the conference materials).

Meet the TPR Track Chair

• John Wagner: John is Systems Programmer at Princeton University.  This is his 10th HighEdWeb conference (he first started attending in 2000).   To establish his cred for being chair of the TPR track, John wants you to know that he has been known to read computer books as “relaxing” reading while on vacation.

Tell Us A Little About the TPR Track
Technical, Propeller Hats Required will cover both technical topics and related-but-other topics that techies should find useful in working with their management.  This is a great track for anyone responsible for the technical side of Web support.

Why Should Attendees Attend This Track’s Sessions?
Well, our attendees get a chance to enter our raffle for great swag,  get up-to-date technical information,  and will learn a LOT about how to better operate with their management.

Anything Special You Want Attendees to Know About TPR?
“Propeller Hats Required” is not just a title, it’s a track way of life!  We will once again be holding the (now traditional) raffle for clothing items, including the much-revered propeller hat —  but this year the hats do not have propeller, exactly.  To see what they DO have, you’ll just have to attend HighEdWeb 2009 and find out! 

Want to hear more?  Come to HighEdWeb 2009 and check out the TPR track for yourself!  Registration is limited, so sign up today.

Colleen Brennan-Barry

In preparation for HighEdWeb 2009, we’re introducing a bit about each of the program tracks, as narrated straight from the track chairs.

Today’s featured track: Applications & Standards (abbreviated as “APS” in the conference materials).

Meet the APS Track Chairs

• Shelley Keith: Shelley is Web Site Coordinator at Southern Arkansas University.  This is her fourth HighEdWeb, and her third time on the Program Committee. In web development since 1994 and higher ed since 2004, Shelley is a crackberry evangelist, MMORPG addict, pitbull advocate, chronic over-Tweeter, and has given up any hope of ever getting her office organized.  Be sure to follow Shelley on Twitter: @shelleykeith
• Glenn E. Donaldson Jr.: Glenn is SIS Integration Director & Associate Director - AD&S at The Ohio State University.  He was involved with WebDev @ Indiana since 1997, and has been with HighEdWeb since the merging of the two conferences. Glenn has been a track chair on the program committee (and in this particular track) for 7-8 years, and has been with The Ohio State University full-time for 15 years. He loves to sing, dance, and have a fun time – as committee members, past attendees and photos on Flickr can attest!

Tell Us A Little About the APS Track
Applications and Standards will cover topics ranging from using Moodle to Section 508 to connecting with students and benefitting from those interactions. If you’re interested in CMS options be sure to catch APS 3, Implementing Reason CMS with Small Teams & Small Budgets.

Why Should Attendees Come to Your Track’s Sessions?
We’re more technical than those marketing and social networking folks, without all the propeller hat requirement of TPS (Technical: Propeller Hats Required).

Anything Special You Want Attendees to Know About Your Track?
We’re a great track for the Lone-Ranger Web professional, the hands-on non-programming site manager, and those who are expected to come up with great ideas.  Also, there will be candy, and maybe a cool chachka giveaway … or two.

A Note from Glenn
This is my first year at #heweb without my partner in crime Jim Gorman (University at Buffalo). I’ll certainly miss him but I warmly welcome Shelley to the track and know she will continue the fun times with me.

Want to hear more?  Come to HighEdWeb 2009 and check out theAPS track for yourself!  Registration is limited, so sign up today.

Colleen Brennan-Barry

We’re only a few weeks(!) away from HighEdWeb 2009, and we thought a great way to get ready would be to introduce a bit about each of the program tracks, as narrated straight from the track chairs.

So, first track up: Content (abbreviated as “TNT” in the conference materials).

Meet the TNT Track Chairs

• Brian Heaton: Brian is content management programmer/analyst in the office of Web and new media at Missouri State University.  This is Brian’s eleventh HighEdWeb, and his ninth time on the Program Committee.  Some fun facts about Brian include that he likes Hawaii-themed parties, is a  D-I collegiate volleyball referee, and is proud to be a 45+ gallon blood product donor.  Be sure to follow Brian on Twitter: @bdhvb
• Michelle Tarby: Michelle is director of Web services in the office of information technology at Le Moyne College. This is Michelle’s sixth HighEdWeb and her fifth on the program committee. Michelle has many interests: she likes all things social media and is a baseball fanatic, which explains how she became a “Little League coach extraordinaire!” Follow Michelle on Twitter: @tarbym

Why Should Attendees Come to Your Track’s Sessions?
Well, it’s the best track, as always! It’s all about content: maintaining it, helping others maintain it, making content work smarter not harder, and keeping it current. After all, content is king! Bells and whistles don’t mean a thing if users cannot find the content they need.

Anything Special You Want Attendees to Know About Your Track?
The TNT track will be bursting with dynamite information from fiery presenters. Hang out with us and your content will explode on your audience like fireworks in the sky! (oh, and there will be candy … just sayin’!)

Want to hear more?  Come to HighEdWeb 2009 and check out the TNT track for yourself!  Registration is limited, so sign up today.

Colleen Brennan-Barry

The Higher Education Web Professionals Association has a mission, and it is

“To advance Web professionals, technologies and standards in higher education.”

As a group with its roots in New York, we’ve been holding conferences for 10 years. As we’ve grown, one item that has been added to the regular conference agenda is “Professional Development.” Under this title, such general topics as Giving Effective Presentations, Making the Case for Resources, Negotiation, Strategic Planning, Project Management and Student Employment have been presented in the past or will be presented this year.

Some might reasonably ask, “Why?”

It comes back to our mission. Part of that is to advance you, as a Web professional. Between an increase in responsibilities at work and ever-present challenges on the home front, going back to school for a formal degree isn’t always an option. But if you can, in one stop, meet new people that are facing the same challenges in similar jobs, bring back tips to help you at your current job, and learn new skills to help you at your next job, I think we all win.

We need more leaders in higher education who have come from Web backgrounds, who understand the medium and help colleges and universities meet the “perfect storm” of challenges that threaten their that existence. (This was recently discussed at Penn State’s Web Conference, and Mark Greenfield also addressed this at a past HighEdWeb conference.)

So I hope you, like me, aspire for that next step in your career, and that we’ll see you in some professional development sessions at HighEdWeb 2009.

Steve Lewis (@stebert) is the president of the Higher Education Web Professionals Association, sits on both the conference and program committees for the #heweb09 conference,  and is Web manager/information security coordinator for The College at Brockport.

Welcome to our weekly feature, “Worth 1000 Words,” where  you can catch a glimpse of the wonder that is HighEdWeb.

Ok, so this picture is cheating a bit but we wanted to make sure you were fully aware: the end of early bird is coming!  The end of early bird is coming! Register for HighEdWeb 2009: Open. Connected. before August 31 to make sure that you get the worm registration discount. Because who doesn’t love getting really great professional development AND making the most of (let’s face it) limited travel budgets? 

Of course, you can still register even after the early-bird period is over; conference registration will be open until mid-September.  But why not register by August 31, save $125 on your registration fee, and make your plans to get thee to Milwaukee?!

Colleen Brennan-Barry

In the spirit of full disclosure: I’ve been attending the HighEdWeb conference for the past five years, and have been a member of the conference committee for four. Because of this, you might guess that I’m a tad biased in my high opinion of the conference.

You’d probably be right.

However, I like to think that this also means I have a detailed understanding of HighEdWeb: what it is, how it works, why it matters … and why, in my humble opinion, it’s one of the strongest, best, most engaging conferences out there for Web professionals.

I attend HighEdWeb for a number of reasons, some professional, some personal, all important:

• It makes my brain hurt. If I know one thing about HighEdWeb, it’s this: I will leave at the end of four days with a lot more knowledge than when I arrived. There are so many presentations on such a wide variety of topics that it’s like an absolutely feast for my mind. Even the “casual” chats over meals and in the halls yield great ideas to mull over! And better yet, I always return home with solid info to help me demonstrate the measurable value of sending me to this kind of event.
• Blood, sweat and tears make it run. HighEdWeb is not-for-profit and a purely volunteer-run conference. I like knowing that dedicated, passionate colleagues, tops in their fields – from the conference organizers, to presenters and all other volunteers — believe so much in this conference that they put in hours and hours of their own time to make it work.
• You’re there. One of the best parts of HighEdWeb is the opportunity to spend time with all of you amazing colleagues from across the country. I might have breakfast with a person I know from a past conference, lunch with friends from UWebd, and dinner with a group I’ve never met before but with whom I share a common interest. And then, when I go home, the conversation continues on Twitter and in other social spaces. Being able to network with some of the most exciting, interesting folks in the profession? Priceless.
• It’s a lot of fun. Hey, work is serious business, but I like to laugh and enjoy myself as much as the next higher ed Web pro. Friends and I sometimes affectionately refer to HighEdWeb as “Geek Camp,” and with all of the social events, good food, friendly personalities, and potential late-night pranks & hijinks, it lives up to that name.

There are many great conferences out there. It’s often hard to choose just one to attend but many of us DO have to choose as travel budgets continue to rapidly fade away – ironic, since these days professional development is more important than ever. My choice is to go to Milwaukee and HighEdWeb 2009 for all the reasons above, and I hope you’ll go, too — not just because it’s a great conference (it is!) but also, on a purely selfish level, because then I get to meet you, to share ideas, and to maybe share a beer and make a new friend and contact in this crazy, wonderful profession of ours.

I invite you to share why YOU attend HighEdWeb, and your thoughts on what makes for good professional development for Web pros. Feel free to leave a comment here or @ColB on Twitter. And I’ll see you in Milwaukee.

Colleen Brennan-Barry

A note from the President of the Higher Educational Web Professionals Association …

I am pleased to announce that this year’s conference is coming together nicely. Preparations in Milwaukee are coming together nicely, and the team has prepared some videos to keep you up-to-date with that progress.

I’m impressed that this community of professionals is able to contribute such a wide variety of presentations to this year’s conference. There seems to be something for professionals of all sorts:

Marketing Professionals should be sure to check out the tracks in Content; Social Media; and Marketing, Management and Professional Development.

Design Professionals should plan to spend time in the Content track, and plan to visit the poster session.

Programming Professionals can sink their teeth into the Technical track, and certainly shouldn’t be ashamed to wear their propeller hats at this conference. The Applications and Standards track might also provide some valuable tools for consideration.

Management Professionals should be sure to send their whole teams, and then stop themselves into the Marketing, Management and Professional Development track and save time to network.

This is all just a sample to get you interested. We certainly encourage professionals of all sorts to attend sessions outside of their general duties as well. It’s a great way to learn some of the tools, language, and perspective of your fellow Web professionals with other specializations.

So mark those calendars, send in those registrations, and we’ll see you in October in Milwaukee.

Steve Lewis (@stebert) is the president of the Higher Education Web Professionals Association board of directors, sits on both the conference and program committees for the #heweb09 conference,  and is Web manager/information security coordinator for The College at Brockport.