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WAVELENGTH – The ID Newsletter of India – July
2005
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Hello Friends,
Welcome to this issue of Wavelength, the monthly e-Newsletter for
the Instructional Design and Content Development community of India.
June was a busy month for Wavelength.
In June, Wavelength launched its Instructional Design & Content
Writing Certificate (IDCWC) Course. The first Course Group starts
on July 03, 2005. The focus of this course is on equipping the Course
Group members with practical instructional design and content development
skills. You can click on http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idcwc_details.htm
to view the course outline and other details. Please join me in
wishing the first IDCWC Course Group, the very best for their journey
into the challenging and exciting world of Instructional Design.
The success of Wavelength's first IDO Workshop and numerous queries
from those who couldn’t take part in it has prompted the second
IDO workshop, which will be held on July 17, 2005. Check out http://www.vibrantwavelength.com
for more details.
This month, the Mystery of the Month that we will attempt to solve
is – Can we make time stand still? The exaggeration, of course,
is to get your attention, but then isn’t it something that
we all try to achieve. From the viewpoint of the instructional designer,
we shall review the activities that she does, and find out how she
can manage her time more efficiently.
The serial “Managers of Creativity” continues into
its second episode and probes deeper into the subject. I would also
like to draw your attention to the Site of the Month for July. It’s
just fantastic!
Enjoy!
Thanks and Warm Regards,
Shafali R. Anand
(Editor & Publisher – Wavelength)
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Table of contents
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From the Editor’s Desk
Resources
Site of the Month
Mystery of the Month
Serials – Managers of Creativity (Episode II)
Readers’ Views
Surge Ahead
India...is a Stage!
Laugh-a-little
Signing Off...
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NEW!
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1. Wavelength launches its Instructional Design & Content Writing
Certificate (IDCWC) course. The first Course Group starts on July
3, 2005. Click on http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idcwc_details.htm
2. Wavelength organizes the second Instructional Design Orientation
(IDO) workshop on July 17, 2005. Register online. Click on http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idorworkshop2.htm
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
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If a link doesn't work upon clicking, copy and paste the complete
url (as given in the newsletter) in the address bar of your browser.
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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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A good instructional designer is characterized by not just his
skills at instructional design but also by his ability to manage
time. Unfortunately, it’s not easy; the raging project deadline
fire threatens to consume the ID if he leaves it alone for even
a single moment. This month the Mystery of the Month features “Make
Time Stop,” a Wavelength article, that presents an ID viewpoint
on Time Management.
Click on http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/timemanagement.htm
to read this Wavelength article.
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Serials – Managers of Creativity – Episode II
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Welcome to the second episode of “Managers of Creativity.”
Here are some more links that will help those who aspire to wear
the metaphoric crown of thorns. Yes...a crown of thorns! If you
manage creativity well, there is a chance that your popularity with
others of your kind may slip down a notch...only motivational speakers
can ensure unblemished and omnipresent popularity!
Read this thought-provoking article by Edward de Bono. It brings
into focus the reality of creativity. The article suggests that
"Innovation" is a better term than "creativity,"
and goes further to explain how creativity can be managed. In my
opinion, innovation is a product of creativity...it's not the term
“creativity” but its perception that we should challenge.
This slight difference of opinion aside, I think this article is
a wonderful read! Click on http://www.thinkingmanagers.com/management/creativity-management.php.
http://www.geocities.com/freehomebasedbusiness/articles/management/26.htm
presents Kal Bishop's ideas on how creative output can be increased.
The concept that prolific output leads to creative output is extremely
interesting.
Another article by Kal Bishop at http://www.profitbooks.com/articles/c/creativity_management
__measurement__benchmarking_and_imp.html reviews some standard
definitions of creativity. Here he proposes that creativity can
be measurable, tangible, and useful.
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Learning Resources
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Resources – Writing Style
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This is one of the best links on "Errors in English"
that I've ever come across. Check out http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html.
This wonderful repository of mistakes that Americans make while
speaking/writing English, is an eye opener. Paul Brians' answers
to the questions asked by his enthusiastic readers, is also an interesting
read. Click on http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/.
Your course went to the reviewer and it came back with "Great
Work!" written across it. You celebrated it with "Samosas"
and "Chai"; came back to your seat; sent the script to
the American Editor; and went home happy and content. The next morning
you received a wounded and bleeding script, slashed and hacked all
over. You had used slang...and you didn't know they were slang!
Has it ever happened to you? If it hasn't...or even if it has...add
http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~wrader/slang/
to your favorites. Become "Slang-proof"!
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Resources – Language & Culture
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There are many kinds of taboos, but as content developers and instructional
designers, we seldom have to deal with the morbid ones! http://dest.travelocity.com/Tips/Item/0,3295,178_TRAVELOCITY,00.html
has a short list that will take only a few seconds to browse, but
will help us become more worldly-wise.
http://www.bodylanguagetraining.com/examples.html is a good place
to "regain consciousness" about body language. Did you
just ask - Why does an ID need to know about body language? There
are two reasons. 1. We all want to make a good impression on those
we meet. I think it is a generic reason that holds for almost all
of us. 2. We, as Instructional Designers, have to make sure that
our courses look just the way they were supposed to. I once came
across a graphic that was supposed to show a confident CMD of a
company but his slouch made him look like a person waiting to be
ordered around! Such errors make the learner lose confidence in
your course. Remember ARCS.
Read more about body language at http://members.aol.com/katydidit/bodylang.htm.
How far does your visualization go? Make it go even further by learning
the nuances of human behavior.
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Resources – ID Concepts
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Engelmann's Theory of Direct Instruction assumes "nurture"
to be to most important force in learning. Engelmann and Carnine
hold that environment is the variable that impacts learning the
most. They first define "faultless communication" and
"generalization," after which they explain logical construction
of examples and non-examples. Click on http://psych.athabascau.ca/html/387/OpenModules/Engelmann/theory.shtml
to find out whether your examples and non-examples are "vudged"
or "rectus"!
If you want to know more about "Direct Instruction,"
visit http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~bgrossen/pubs/aftdi.htm.
Though DI is mostly used for teacher-directed learning, I find that
the concept can help an eLearning Instructional Designer create
some very fascinating interactions.
http://people.uncw.edu/kozloffm/diarticle.html
will provide some more information on Direct Instruction. In contrast
to "Constructivism," which theorizes about individual
perceptions of the same reality being different, "Instructivism"
keeps thinking and reality separate. Check it out...a fresh perspective
broadens the mind!
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Site of the Month
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The Siiiite of the Month for July izzzz...?! (Style Source: Perizad
Kolah of Zoom TV fame!)
You want a clue?
Okay...the first clue is July 17! Got it?
No?
You want another clue? Okay, the next clue is “Harry Potter
and the Half-blood Prince”!
You are right! - The Site of the Month for July is
http://www.jkrowling.com!
I am sure you will want to know why...why a site so far removed
(apparently) from instructional design is chosen as the SoM. The
answer lies in my belief that the Harry Potters are some of the
best readings for those who want to shine as Instructional Designers.
(The IDCWC Course Group starting their voyage into the exciting
world of Instructional Design on July 03, 2005 will soon find out
the why and the how of this seemingly outrageous statement!)
Let's find out what is so cool about this site. Are you ready!
Click on http://www.jkrowling.com.
1. To begin with, the site loads on a background of a marvelously
untidy tabletop (presumably JK Rowling's.) It looks like a writer's
desk. The theme begins to build up.
2. Closer inspection will reveal many objects that belong to Harry
Potter.
3. While you inspect the table, some other things (key, coffee,
hair-band, The Daily News, Rumours (You are right...this is British
English - JK Rowling is British...Wavelength site uses American
English,) notepad, paper-pins, and a variety of other knick-knacks
are added to it. All these draw you into the world of JK Rowling
and Harry Potter.
4. The background sound-effect is fantastic! The barking of dogs,
the chirping of birds, and the sound of wind...it all adds up to
Hogwarts. Can you feel it?
5. Roll your mouse over the different objects. Animations play,
the butterfly flies, and if you are lucky you will see the pen-stand
topple over. The visualization is superb!
6. Before you begin clicking, rollover on the Help icon at the
bottom right. Port-keys are important! All Harry Potter fans know
that.
7. Stay here long enough and the phone will ring and Ms. Rowling
(Jo to us:-)) talks to you. You too can dial a number from this
phone!
8. Although you are free to check out the whole site in the sequence
you want but I recommend that you go through the biography first.
Its presentation is delightful! Check out the page turn animation,
the loading of the memorabilia, and the blinking eyes of JK Rowling...the
detailing is fantastic!
9. If you still think that my recommendations are cool (you do...right?)
then visit the "Links" section by clicking on the blue
ballpoint pen. A Hogwarts library shelf, flanked with two pictures
where things move, and a flickering candle, come into view. The
feel is complete, and so is the look. I am so glad that Ms. Rowling
thought of a makeover for her site!
10. I think I should stop now. I don't want to hinder your treasure
hunt. All those who are working on K12 projects should definitely
explore this site to understand the magic of “theme”
and apply this understanding to their projects.
11. BTW, I just discovered that June 28 is Dobby's Birthday! Happy
Birthday Dobby!
12. If you aren't comfortable with the terminology, you must be
among the few who are untouched by the magic of Harry Potter! With
16 days to go, you still have time to apply for a long leave, buy
the first five Harry Potters and prepare yourself for welcoming
the sixth, which releases on July 17!
So pack your trunk, get your broom, and zoom off to www.jkrowling.com.
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Readers’ Views – NEW!
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Click on http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/views.htm
to read what readers feel about Wavelength.
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Surge Ahead
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The weather is changing, the temperature is dropping...this is
the time to explore, move around and enjoy. Here’s a travel
guide!
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Bangalore:
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Digital Think – Instructional Designer/Project Manager
(Instructional Designer)
http://www.digitalthink.com/company/jobs/ls022503.html
(Senior Project Manager)
http://www.digitalthink.com/company/jobs/devservices/SPM100802.html
ICUS Inc. – Instructional Designers (Singapore/Bangalore)
http://www.icus.net/contact/career.shtm#id
Mentorware – Instructional Designer
http://www.mentorware.com/careers/careers_india_sub.html#id
Vega Information Systems Pvt. Ltd. - Instructional design specialist
http://www.vegainformation.com/
(Also check for the Knowledge Developer Positions.)
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Delhi - NCR:
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FCS Technologies Ltd. – Instructional Designer/Sr. ID/Content
Writer/Project Manager
Instructional Designer (2 Years)
http://www.fcsltd.com/home/careers/careers.asp#OSG/ID
Senior Instructional Designer (3 -5 years)
http://www.fcsltd.com/home/careers/careers.asp#SRID
Content Writer (1+ years)
http://www.fcsltd.com/home/careers/careers.asp#OSG/CW
Project Manager (6 years)
http://www.fcsltd.com/home/careers/careers.asp#PMElearn
Sapient - Sr. Associate, Learning & Development(Instructional
Designer) (Experience: 5-7 years)
http://jobsearch.sapient.newjobs.com/getjob.asp?JobID=31408006&AVSDM=
2005%2D06%2D27+01%3A30%3A15&Logo=0&col=dltcj&brd=3594&q=Instructional+Design
NIS-Sparta – Developer
http://www.nissparta.com/opening.html
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Chennai:
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Mentorix - Delivery Head
http://www.lionbridge.com/company/careers/empdisplay.asp?intJobID=278&intLangID=1
(Write to: ashok.bhaskaran@lionbrdige.com)
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Mumbai:
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Mentorix - Instructional Designer/Technical Writer
Instructional Designer
http://www.lionbridge.com/company/careers/empdisplay.asp?intJobID=281&intLangID=1
Technical Writer
http://www.lionbridge.com/company/careers/empdisplay.asp?intJobID=283&intLangID=1
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India...is a Stage!
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Visit http://www.itapintl.com/localizationofoutsourcingtraining.htm
to read "Outsourcing: Localization of Training". It summarizes
how a foreign organization went about creating training material
for the Indian Audience. This 180 degrees turn in perspective is
a refreshing change. Don't miss it!
WestBridge Capital Partners will invest US$5.5mn in Brainvisa;
read the news at http://www.indiainfoline.com/news/news.asp?dat=60277.
This news article also provides an interesting and heartening bit
of data. It says, "The global e-learning trends indicate that
from a current market size of US$9bn, the entire e-learning market
would reach around US$23bn in a few years." I wish they had
defined "few years!"
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Laugh-a-little
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There are many reasons for Instructional Designers and Content
Writers to laugh and smile.
Here are a couple of them.
1. Five new projects are expected to start this month. There are
a few minor issues...but for now... Let's celebrate! (Read: We need
30 Instructional Designers for these projects, but there is a sealing
on recruitment for the next three months. This a minor issue, as
our existing IDs are a motivated group and they will gladly double
their effort!)
2. Let's have a fun party tomorrow night. The party will begin
at 6:00 PM. Let's all take a break and enjoy! (Read: Complete your
work by 6:00 PM tomorrow evening...we know it's not easy, so stay
back late tonight and feel free to come back after the party tomorrow
night! We will even provide buses that will bring you back to office...after
the party!)
No?!
If your idea of fun is different...check out the following links.
1."Death is nothing more than a change in the state of matter,"
said the physicist. What did the writer say? If you want to find
out, click on http://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/93q2/moretechwr.html
2. Animals laugh too...especially when they are around humans.
It's true. Click on http://www.livescience.com/animalworld/050331_laughter_ancient.html
to find out what makes animals laugh.
3. This one probably has less to do with humor than with Instructional
Design. So what? Instructional Designers can make sense out of anything.
Try this... http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/humorinstruct/index.htm.
4. Check out http://www.wocka.com/623.html
to explore some finer points of English.
Keep Laughing!
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Signing Off...
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Thanks for being with Wavelength. Before we say goodbye, let’s
promise to meet again.
Wavelength shall be back next month, with more information, news,
humor, and enthusiasm.
See you then!
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Feedback: Send your views on Wavelength at http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/fsg/formfeedback.htm.
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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