Wandering Pandas Flying Solo to InstructureCon?

[rconroy]

In the beginning, I was going to try and get my husband to come with me since I've never had to do a week trip by myself since we got married. We ended up deciding the week trip isn't worth taking his vacation time since we've got a lot going on this year. Which means I have become a solo Panda for InstructureCon. :smileylaugh:

Just starting this discussion as a point place for any other wandering pandas that are flying solo to InstructureCon.  

[fox]

I don't mind the cold (Western New York native), but the rain makes me sad!

[scottdennis]

Moving from the PNW to Utah a few years ago, I love being back where there is rain.  I feel like a desiccated amphibian so much of the time in Utah!

[rconroy]

Coming from being born and bread in southern california, anytime I see rain its pretty much like the end scene from holes.

[rlbrown21]

Just saw this thread, and wanted to chime in since I will be a solo panda as well.  Looking forward to it, but I seem to have a hard time making connections at conferences.  

You will probably find me running outside to play in the rain (with my camera).  We don't get much sky water in southern CA

[traciebosket]

You got me from "sky water"! See you then

[rconroy]

Love the sky water! Please do post some of those awesome pictures to the Instructurecon 2017 space here! or tag #instcon on twitter should you tweet! I'd love to see them.

[probinson1]

First time InstCon-er, longtime spy  Flying solo from spouse, but attending with experienced backup. I really have no idea what I'm signing up for/attending, let alone which of the "must not miss this" meetings/activities I've gotten spammed with this week!

Back to folding laundry so I can pack. 

Polly

[kmeeusen]

Hi  @probinson1 ‌

• In the "Must not miss" category, I always include breakfast, lunch and dinner; but the keynote addresses are typically awesome! You will truly not want to miss Josh Coates' keynote address Tuesday night. He is always entertaining, hardly talks about Canvas at all, and gives you a good sense of corporate culture and how much fun you will have.
• If your school is investigating third-party instructional tech, then don't miss the Partners Pavilion. Nice to be able to go to a tech meeting with inside scoop and a ready-made contact.
• I would also suggest stopping by the Canvas Community Booth.
• The new feature presentations are nice if you are not current with the Release Notes; or you are current, but want to learn better how they can be used from folks who did the experimenting for you. For example: "Magical Blueprint Courses" looks good on Wednesday at 10:00 am.
• I also can't advise you without mentioning "No Need to Blame Canvas" from our very own Kona 'Community' Jones also on Wednesday at 10:55.
• Did I mention stopping by the Canvas Community Booth?
• I also very much like the sessions led by Instructure folks, and "The Canvas Technology Forum" looks awesome!
• whatever you decide on Wednesday, do not miss Mitch Benson's Keynote Address just after lunch, unless you really don't care what new toys are coming for Canvas, and there is a special  "knock your socks off" session following it.
• Since I mentioned Kona 'Community' Jones' session, I must give equal play to her and her husband - The Awesome James Jones - session, "Accomplish the Impossible."
• Did I mention stopping by the Canvas Community Booth?
• Finally on Wednesday I would recommend catching Christi Wruck's "From Instructure With Love".
• Then go have an awesome dinner with lots of fun and entertainment!

Apply the same formula to Thursday, and you will have a rockin' good time!

Did I mention stopping by the Canvas Community Booth?

Agent K

[cfelton1]

Do you think it would be a good idea to stop by the Canvas Community Booth? I heard somewhere it might be advisable.

[kmeeusen]

Hi cfelton‌

I don't know if it is 'advisable", but it would certainly be fun! We love being able to put real, live faces to the names we encounter every day in here.

[kona]

Yes! The Community booth/area is always a great place to stop and chat!

[cfelton1]

I'm flying solo and I'm a newbie. Should we have special identifying hats or will the deer in the headlights look be sufficient to recognize us? 

[rconroy]

I'm wondering about that myself. I'd say the community booth is a great headquarters to meet up to divide and conquer! 

[probinson1]

I'm so sensitive to vibes and such...I'm getting...something...a feeling? An...urge? A...gentle(??) tugging toward the...wait, I can a l m o s t seeeeeeee

Nope. It's gone. 

Something about a "booth"... or was it "community?" Oh, the vagaries of my "inner eye!"

[mesch_jeffrey]

Flying solo from Michigan, but not exactly a newbie. In 2012 I was with a K-12 institution, this time around a tiny higher ed institution. It's always a balancing act attending conferences since I'm half the IT department, plus we're in a soft launch with Canvas right now. I'm going to attempt to conduct a 30-minute "Canvas Orientation for Students" via Google Hangouts from Keystone. Looking forward to connecting with others, it's really the only way real work gets done.

[MichelleTownsnd]

I came here wondering if there would be a discussion about solo pandas and the community delivered! This will be my first year at InstructureCon without any of my team members (attended Keystone last year and Park City the year before). I would love to not eat all my meals by myself, and maybe do a little hiking before the conference kickoff, and of course have some seat-saving buddies for those really popular sessions that fill up quickly! I'll be arriving in Keystone tomorrow evening...so, solo pandas unite!

[rconroy]

I'll be rolling in on Tuesday, but for sure! I have officially started the hashtag that  @BethCrook ‌ suggested on Twitter. I even created a Twitter account because of #instcon ! Our hashtag is #solopandas‌ so please use it so we can all connect! 

[MichelleTownsnd]

Awesome! #solopandas will be a great way to connect. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

[abunag]

See all you other solo Pandas in about 24 hours.

[kayj1]

First time and I cannot wait. I look forward to meeting #solopandas!