Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Want to Use Blackboard Collaborate (Previously Elluminate) Free for a Year?

Long before I took a job at Elluminate, the company's flagship program had become a significant part of my work. To say that I was a passionate user might even have be an understatement, as the live events first for Classroom 2.0 and then FutureofEducation.com were some of the best professional experiences I'd ever had. When my consulting work with Ning wrapped up and I got a call from Rajeev Arora saying he was hoping I'd come work for Elluminate, it was clear I'd found my dream job.

Even though the acquisition of Elluminate and Wimba by Blackboard ultimate has resulted in that dream job being reduced to part-time, my passion for the product is unabated--and I know many of you feel the same way. So it's a pleasure for me to be responsible for a "contest" around the new release of Blackboard Collaborate 11, which we're calling "Collaborate for Good."

Here's how it works: Join the contest site at http://www.wecollaborate.com, and post a proposal on how you would use a free Blackboard Collaborate room to make a difference for your school, your organization, your community, or the world. Encourage your friends or "followers" to make comments supporting your proposal, with bonus points for cross-posting your ideas on your own blog. Then on August 1st we'll announce ten winners who will each get a free 50-seat room of the new Blackboard Collaborate 11.

Please post a proposal!  I can't wait to see the kind of things you'd like to do.