In the tradition of THATCamp and other unconferences we will construct our working session schedule when we meet tomorrow morning. The overall schedule for the weekend is as follows:

Meet-and-great over Breakfast – 8:30-9:30;

Break-out sessions from 9:30 – 12:15;

Lunch on Saturday from 12:15-1:30; Sunday – Wrap-up and Conclusion from 12:15-12:45;

Sessions on Saturday from 1:30-5:00.

I was fortunate enough to attend THATCamp “Mothership” at George Mason University this past spring and was particularly inspired by a session entitled “All Courseware Sucks.” As a consequence of that session, in part, Jeremy Boggs and Boone B. Gorges, in conjunction with Google Summer of Code 2010, helped create ScholarPress. In light of that significant advance I am interested in discussing on online course delivery via independent, instructor-run websites, as opposed to closed-source and proprietary platforms such as Blackboard. I am particularly interested in discussing the details of setting up WordPress sites using the new Courseware plugin for BuddyPress. As I am teaching four classes at the moment using that setup I am eager to have a conversation about the strengths and weaknesses of this new online tool.

Is anyone else using this option, or other alternatives to Blackboard? Chime in and let me know what you think.

We are now accepting applications for participation in the first THATCamp in Florida. We will accept proposals until 18 February, and begin notifying applicants of their acceptance on a rolling basis beginning on 15 January. Please submit your application in the form below.

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Announcing THATCamp Florida!  The University of Central Florida will be hosting a regional THATCamp on the weekend of February 19-20, 2011 in sunny Orlando.  The gathering will involve about 75 people drawn broadly from the Humanities and will include Professors, Librarians, Graduate Students and interested parties (writers, musicians, etc.) who are engaged in sorting through the many and varied ways that our broadly shared disciplines intersect with emerging technologies.  It is our hope that the two-day affair at The University of Central Florida will offer a stimulating and energizing atmosphere which will foster a fruitful exchange of ideas as well as foster collaborative work among attendees.