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WAVELENGTH – The ID Newsletter of India – December 2006
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Hello Friends,

Welcome to this issue of Wavelength.

December, one of the two coldest months in Northern India,
is filled with happiness and joy. Be it the happiness of
togetherness at Christmas and New Year, or the happiness of
Methi ke Paranthe with the warmth of your family around
you - the happiness that December brings is always felt
within. Ensconcing us in this blanket of love, December
brings us to the gates of the New Year. This is the time
to take stock. It is the time to dig and dust out our previous
year's list of New Year resolutions and check whether we were
able to meet the objectives that we had set for ourselves. It
is also the time to make new resolutions.

One of the resolutions that we as instructional designers and
trainers can make is to ensure that the content that we create
and deliver is effective. This resolution is simple to make,
difficult to keep. (But then, which resolution isn't?) This
resolution will require instructional design support. In the
past week, I heard two stories about lost accounts. Both
accounts were lost by organizations that are considered to
be the pioneers in their industries (eLearning and Training) - and
both were lost due to lack of instructional design application.
We have to think of the audience all the time - this is the
crux of instructional design. As audience is the common factor
in the lives of instructional designers and trainers, so
is instructional design.

This month, Wavelength's article, "Training - The Dark Side",
reviews the trainer's dilemma in dealing with an audience who
attends a training program with an entry behavior consisting
of either a negative attitude or a set of competencies that
overlaps the training competencies. In other words, we focus
our instructional design knowledge to determine how to bring
a heckler into the mainstream discussions.

The third session of IDCWC Online (Instructional Design &
Content Writing Certificate (IDCWC-Online) course shall start
on January 01, 2007. Registrations are open for this session.
We are receiving applications for this session until
December 18, 2006. If you wish to inquire about this course,
please write to us at IDCWCOnline@vibrantwavelength[dot]com.

The Autumn Training Workshops concluded on December 01, 2006.
We thank all our participants for placing trust in Wavelength.
We are especially thankful to those who traveled across India
to be with us for our 5-day training programs. We hope that
you will find a lot of opportunities to apply your learning in
your work. For all those who could not attend the Autumn Workshops,
we now present the Spring Workshops!

The Spring Training Workshops are beginning on February 19,
2007 and shall continue till March 02, 2007. If you are
interested in inquiring about the Spring Training Workshops,
please write to us at: springworkshops@vibrantwavelength[dot]com.
The details of this workshop are available at:
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/spring_workshops07.htm

The next course groups for the Instructional Design & Content
Writing Certificate (IDCWC) course and the ActionScript Developer
Certificate (ASDC) course will begin classes on December 17, 2006.

We are also glad to announce three FREE workshops in January.

1. FREE Instructional Design for Trainers Workshop
(January 07, 2007, Sunday)
2. FREE Instructional Design Orientation Workshop
(January 14, 2007, Sunday)
3. FREE ActionScript Orientation Workshop
(January 21, 2007, Sunday)

Please register now, as seats are limited.

If you are interested in enrolling for any of our courses, please
call Wavelength at 9810324284/9810412297/120-4315505.

We welcome our new subscribers and course participants.
Wavelength wishes you all a very Happy New Year and
a Merry Christmas. May this year shower you and your
loved ones with happiness and togetherness!

Thanks and Warm Regards,
Shafali.

(Editor & Publisher, Wavelength)

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Table of contents
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From the Editor's Desk
Mystery of the Month
ID Section
Technology Section
Media Section
Site of the Month
Views
Laugh-a-little
Innoken Games
Signing Off...

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Events Calendar
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1.The next session of IDCWC Online (Instructional Design &
Content Writing Certificate Online) course begins on
January 01, 2007. We are receiving applications for this
course till December 18, 2006.
**Read the views of the IDCWC Online Session I (Jul'06 - Sep'06)
participants at: http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/wavelengthians.htm#idcwconlineviews
**Read details of the course at: http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idcwc_online.htm
**View FAQs at: http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idcwconline_faqs.htm
**Experience sample learning interactions at: http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idcwconline_preview.htm
**Write to idcwconline@vibrantwavelength[dot]com with your queries.

2.Wavelength's next course group for the Instructional Design &
Content Writing Certificate (IDCWC Contact) course begins on
December 17, 2006. Registrations are on for this group. Read
details at http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idcwc_details.htm

3.Classes for the next Flash ActionScript Developer Certificate
(ASDC) course group begin on December 17, 2006. Registrations
are on for this group. Read details at
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/actionscript_certificate.htm

4.The Spring Training Workshops begin on February 12, 2007
(Feb19 - Feb 23) and (Feb 26 - Mar 02). These training workshops
closely simulate the IDCWC and the ASDC courses. Details of
the workshops are available at http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/spring_workshops07.htm
For details of the Spring Training Workshops, please write to
us at springworkshops[dot]vibrantwavelength.com

5.Following are the three FREE workshops
that shall be organized in January 2007.

*** FREE Instructional Design for Trainers workshop -
Main Audience: Trainers
Click http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idtworkshop1.htm

*** FREE Instructional Design Orientation workshop -
Main Audience: Content Developers (0-2 years) experience.
Click http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idorworkshop9.htm

*** FREE ActionScript Orientation workshop - Main Audience:
Flash Designers (Min 6 months of experience) and
Flash Developers (0-2 years of experience)
Click http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/actionscript_workshop4.htm

6.Classes for the ActionScript 2.0 using Object-Oriented
Programming (AS2OOP) course begin on December 30, 2006.
Registrations are open for this course group. Click on
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/actionscript2_oop_details.htm

7.Registrations for the Instructional Design Refresher
Certificate (IDRC) course group, which begins classes on
January 27, 2007, are open. The details for this course are
available at http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idrc_details.htm

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From the Editor's Desk
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http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/editorial.htm

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Mystery of the Month
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Does the title of this section remind you of the streets of
London with a lone hansom, street-lamps with their light
dispersing in the nightly fog, and of Sherlock Holmes? It is
natural. The weather and the title combine to draw us into
the wonderful mysteries that Arthur Conan Doyle so wonderfully
crafted for his immortal creation - Sherlock Holmes. Our quest
however, concerns a more frequent and less exotic phenomenon
that occurs with an unfailing regularity in most of the
training classrooms. This phenomenon is called heckling.

You are right...this month we take our hand-lens, sprawl upon
the floor of our training rooms and take a closer look at the
heckler's footprints, eventually deducing the psyche of the
heckler and designing our armor and weapons to combat heckling.
(Did we slide through the portal and fall into the world of
Hercule Poirot?)

Click http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/training_darkside.htm to
read the Mystery of the Month, "Training - The Dark Side" and
pull them over to your side - the bright side!

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ID Section
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ID Concepts
--------------------
Automation of instructional design is a concept that has
generated a lot of interest (as well as controversy) in the
recent past. AID or Automated Instructional Design refers to
the use of computers for instructional design. As I mentioned
in one of the earlier issues, the main controversy surrounding
AID is that whether or not it can result in the design of
effective instruction for higher cognitive levels. If the concept
of AID intrigues you, click http://www.davidvl.org/250CourseSpr04/b15.html
to read a comprehensive article on it.

Those who belong to the training arena may like to acquaint
themselves with AID as well as its use in the training
environment through a very simple to follow, yet comprehensive
paper called "Cognitive Approaches to Instructional Design" at
http://carbon.cudenver.edu/~bwilson/training.html

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Language & Culture
------------------------------

Culture in Focus: South African
-------------------------------
The culture that we set out to explore this month is that
of South Africa. South Africa has a very diverse culture,
as you will discover when you click
http://www.sa-venues.com/sa_languages_and_culture.htm

http://www.south-africa-tours.com/south-africa-culture.html
will provide a deeper insight into the culture of South Africa.

For those who plan to make a business trip to South Africa,
http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/ie-en/DisplayDocument.jsp?did=19702
provides short, crisp, and concise tips for conducting
business in South Africa.

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Writing Style
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Writing is a tricky business. Each reader interprets the
written word in a very special manner; carrying away not
only what the writer intended to say but also what the
reader perceives. There isn't anything new in this
statement - it is a simple manifestation of constructivism.
Yet as authors we need to continually scan our writing for
terminology that may exhibit any bias towards a particular
group of people. Please note that none of the references
that may use to keep your language bias-free are complete - they
cannot be: for the perception of words is extremely dynamic!

Language is a poly-edged tool - extremely dangerous to handle!
Use the references with care and remember to use the suggestions
in view of the culture that your audience belongs to - Ladies
& Gentlemen, here's an excellent guide, which can help you keep
your language bias-free! Click http://www.randomhouse.com/words/language/avoid_guide.html
to access "Sensitive Language."

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Technology Section
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Learning Content Creation Technologies
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If you are interested in some free content creation
technologies, click http://elearning.uvic.ca/resources/cctools1.html
for a list of free software that can aid organizations and
individuals who are taking their first steps towards
content creation.

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Learning Content Management Technologies
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These days many organizations are experimenting with free
learning management systems...but even among the free, what
should you select? The article "Online classrooms for FREE?!
A Review of Free Online Learning Management Systems (LMS)" at
http://www-writing.berkeley.edu/TESL-EJ/ej26/m2.html identifies
two different possibilities that exist for free hosting of
courses and details the features of different FREE learning
management systems.

For those who are interested in the evolution of the Virtual
Learning Environment, the wikipedia article "History of
virtual learning environments" is an excellent advance organizer.
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_virtual_learning_environments
to read this article.

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Media Section
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Art Concepts:
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The Masters - Salvador Dali
---------------------------------
This month we focus our attention on the works of Salvador
Dali. Salvador Dali is known for his surrealist paintings.
Surrealism, as an art movement, can be understood as the use
of art to express "the dreamlike state different from and
truer than everyday reality." Dali, who was born in 1904,
studied in Madrid, Spain. He could not complete his education
but painted profusely - most often, painting images from
his dreams.

Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:The_Persistence_of_Memory.jpg
to view his most famous painting "The Persistence of Memory",
which is also known as Melting Time or Melting Clocks.

Check Dali's galleries at http://www.virtualdali.com/

Dali was an artist who was a surrealist with words too.
Here's his opinion on critics: "The thermometer of success
is merely the jealousy of the malcontents." Surreal or
real? You decide!

Click http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/salvador_dali.html
to find forty quotes from Dali.

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Graphic Design Concepts:
-----------------------------------
Do you know all that should be known about Form Analysis,
Composition & visual Framing, Unity of Form, and so on? "What
designers need to know" at
http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm?contentalias=designersneedknow
is an excellent article that scopes the graphic designer's
knowledge very clearly.

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Media Technology Concepts:
-----------------------------------
Premiere Pro is the newest version of Adobe Premiere. If
you are keen on video editing and composition, click
http://www.wrigleyvideo.com/videotutorial/tut_premierepro.htm
for some cool tutorials. I liked "Matrix Rain" and
"Writing with Lightning".

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Photoshop Pros:
----------------------
Click http://www.blizzard.com/inblizz/fanart/page38.shtml to
visit the Fan Art Gallery at Blizzard.com. Each of theses
artworks is so professionally executed, that it makes you
wonder why Blizzard doesn't recruit these fan artists for
its projects. Or, it probably does! Check it out.

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Flash Fans:
---------------
You must've victimized so many characters. No? I do not
agree...nor will you, if you click
http://www.deviantart.com/download/34244097/
and watch "Animator vs. Animation" to discover what happens
when the victim turns aggressive. Be careful and treat your
creations well! View more of Alan Becker's works at
http://alanbecker.deviantart.com/gallery/

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3D Dons:
------------
This month let us be inspired by some CG architecture.
Here are a few links, that should inspire you not only
graphically but also motivate you to climb Maslow's
hierarchy of needs.

http://www.creative-3d.net/GalleryDisplay.cfm?ID=17001
http://www.creative-3d.net/GalleryDisplay.cfm?ID=16764
http://www.creative-3d.net/GalleryDisplay.cfm?ID=17108

And this...well, Maslow's hierarchy talks of needs - it
doesn't describe the paths that humans take to fulfill their
needs and desires! One of the paths could lead the traveler to
http://www.creative-3d.net/GalleryDisplay.cfm?ID=728

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Site of the Month
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Well...well...well!
The Site of the Month for December 2006 is http://www.marcopalmieri.com/

Yes it is. What? Oh yes! It is not a corporate site...nor
is it a portal! Yet this site made me sit up and wonder...what
goes on in the minds of these creative geniuses! How do the
gears in their minds mesh; what kind of pulley systems
their minds employ? Or is it some binary logic that makes
them think of such...so-real yet such-fantastic stuff?

Let's take a short trip (it is a small site with only five
simple sections) and discover how creativity is the essence
of gaining the audience's attention. So please click http://www.marcopalmieri.com/.

1. A green monster stands by the pre-loader, while the page
loads. Nothing great about it! But wait and see...

2. Next, we meet two cousins of this little monster. Three
scratchy, cynical, and naughty little monsters, who stand and
wait for you to act. They play with yo-yos; they scratch
themselves; they try to stifle their yawns but fail! They are
cute. And if they are cute, let's not call them monsters any
more. Let's call them greenies.

3. When you act and click one of the boards that hang from the
ceiling (?), these little greenies spring into action. If you
want to know what I mean, click "Who is Marco?"

4. The greenies bounce out of the stage and reappear riding
scooters (Scooters that look quite like Hamara Bajaj). These
scooters pull in billboards that display Marco's portrait
in a pose not unlike Amir's and Aishwarya's on coke
billboards. Click the Go On button to make the greeny go on,
so that you can read the content on the board behind!
Excellent execution of an excellent idea! BTW, do keep your
audio turned on...or you'll miss the distinctive
phat...phat...phat of the scooters!

5. Next click the Animations board. Watch the greenies get
the couch, the projector, and the screen (complete with the
film rack at the bottom.) Watch them make themselves
comfortable on the couch, and settle down with soda and
popcorns! Delectably delicious; frantically fantastic;
cleverly creative!

6. Don't miss the lighted board, which gives you the details
of each animation that the greenies (and you) watch! When
you are done with watching the animations, click the
Back button.

7. Now click "Illustrations & Images" to key the greenies
up! They now disappear to appear with a beanbag, a projector,
a roll-up screen; and a cabinet with two drawers. Yes, you
guessed it right. The drawers are labeled "Illustrations"
and "Digital Images". When you click any of the drawers, the
sub-menu becomes available in form of cards!

8. I think I should disappear before the greenies do, or I
would tell you everything about the entire site. So I
leave you here. Do go through all the five sections - each
is a small study in the concept of creativity.

If you've been busy reading and haven't yet arrived at the
site, please click http://www.marcopalmieri.com/

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Views
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***NEW!!!***
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1. IDCWC Online Course Participants' Views:
---------------------------------------------------------------
Click http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/wavelengthians.htm#idcwconlineviews
to read what the course participants feel about the
Instructional Design ONLINE course (IDCWC Online) and Wavelength.

2. IDCWC (Contact) Students' Views:
--------------------------------------------------
Click http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/wavelengthians.htm#idcwcstudentviews
to read what our students feel about the Instructional Design
course (IDCWC) and Wavelength.

3. ActionScript Course Students' Views:
-----------------------------------------------------
Click http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/wavelengthians.htm#asdcstudentviews
to read what our students feel about the ActionScript
course (ASDC) and Wavelength.

4. Reader's Views:
-------------------------
Click http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/views.htm to read what
readers feel about Wavelength.

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Laugh-a-little
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Smile, laugh, and put your worries aside.

Laughter isn't easy. It's tough! I don't mean that it's
tough to imitate laughter but it's truly difficult to
initiate it. Yet it fills our lives with sunlight in winters
and with cool soothing breeze in summers! Laughter delights
us...without pretenses!

This month's collection has a few links that I hope will
bring a smile to your lips:)

Click the following links for some art-related humor.
http://www.buy-original-art.com/entertainment/the_road_painter.htm
http://painting.about.com/od/inspiration/a/ArtJokes.htm
http://painting.about.com/od/inspiration/a/Murphy_Law_Art.htm

And the following links for some photographic humor.
http://www.thehumorarchives.com/joke/Double_ended_Lorry
http://www.thehumorarchives.com/joke/High_tech

Here are two links for the technically inclined.
http://www.jokecenter.com/jokes/Computer/1908.htm
http://www.jokecenter.com/jokes/Computer/799.htm

I wish you a magnificent New Year!

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Innoken Online Games
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This New Year, play some Christmas and New Year Games at Innoken.
If you like the games, tell your friends - NetPeKhel!
You got it right...you can now play Innoken Games by typing in NetPeKhel.com!

=============
NET-PE-KHEL!
=============

(http://www.NetPeKhel.com)

Click http://www.innoken.com/wavelength_wishes.htm to view your
New Year card. While you are at the site, send some happiness
through these game eCards to those you love. These game ecards are
available at http://www.NetPeKhel.com

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Signing Off...
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I hope you enjoyed this issue of Wavelength.

I look forward to meeting you again, next month, in the New Year...with
more information and some New Year surprises too.

See you next month! Bye!

Shafali

Shafali R. Anand
Editor & Publisher, Wavelength the ID Newsletter
Director, Wavelength eLearning Consulting & Training
shafali@vibrantwavelength[dot]com
Wavelength, Link House, 2nd Floor,
C-4, Sector 10, Noida-201301, India.
Ph: 9810324284 / 9810412297 / 0120-4315505
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com

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Feedback: Write to me with your views on Wavelength at shafali@vibrantwavelength[dot]com with "Wavelength Feedback" written in the subject.

Suggest Links or site for "Site of the Month": Publish an article in Wavelength or suggest links– Check out http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/contribute.htm

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