We're all experiencing the challenge of too many conferences plus not enough time and funds to get us there. But with free webcam video conferencing, we can still participate. Take, for example, the Vassar College presentation at the Educause Learning Initiative meeting last month...

Meg Stewart attended the ELI event in January, presenting the Vassar work described as "Technology in the Field: Tablet PCs in Higher Education." (I've blogged about this project previously - check out their terrific videos!). Unfortunately, Lucy Johnson was not able to attend the conference - at least in person. Using SKYPE's free video phone call service, Lucy (remote) and Meg (on-site) presented their paper. You can read about the experience on Meg's blog, http://gisatvassar.blogspot.com/.

I've had a similar experience, several times now, as grant recipients invite me to "attend" workshops or presentations that I am unable to participate in "live and in person". It turns out that it works well even with a room full of people - if you have an A/V tech available to hook up a wireless mic and webcam on-site so I can hear and see the audience.

I did this during the WIPTE conference last October at Purdue, using VSEE software, and more recently using Skype to connect with grant recipient events. It's remarkably easy - and free.

It's kind of nice in these tough economic times to know that time and money don't have to be the reason we're not "there"...

Jim Vanides, B.S.M.E, M.Ed.
Worldwide Education Grant Strategy
HP Global Social Investment
Hewlett-Packard

For information about the HP Global Social Investments, visit www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants/