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WAVELENGTH – The ID Newsletter of India – June
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.
WAVELENGTH IS SIX MONTHS OLD with this issue. During the last six
months, Wavelength has evolved and grown. The subscriber base for
Wavelength is now six times its original size. This issue celebrates
this success with its readers by introducing a new section called
“Serials.”
WAVELENGTH NOW HAS ITS OWN DEDICATED SITE (www.vibrantwavelength.com).
Gone are those irritating pop-ups, banners, and sidebar advertisements...you
can now enjoy Wavelength in peace. I would like to thank you all
for your patience in the past. Please note the change in address
to http://www.vibrantwavelength.com
and update your bookmarks.
Since its debut on the Indian Instructional Design stage in January
2005, Wavelength has constantly strived to reach out to the Indian
Instructional Designers and probe into the issues and topics that
concern them. This issue also brings to you the opinions of Wavelength
readers. Click on http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/views.htm to
read their views.
This month we focus our attention on the slightly nebulous but
highly useful skill of creativity management and analyze whether
it is actually paradoxical. The Mystery
of the Month defines and explains the term “creativity
management” and provides a preliminary list of dos and don’ts.
In addition to this, remember to check out the “Serials”
section for the first episode of “Managers of Creativity.”
All the Best!
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
*Mystery of the Month
*Serials – Managers of Creativity – NEW!
*Learning Resources
*Site of the Month
*Readers’ Views – NEW!
*Surge Ahead
*India...is a Stage!
*Laugh-a-little
*Signing Off...
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NEW!
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At the Wavelength site, we have two new sections:
1. http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/serials.htm
(Now showing - the first episode of the first serial – “Managers
of Creativity.”)
2. http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/views.htm
(Visit to read what Wavelength readers feel about Wavelength.)
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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 fortnight ago, Mr. Mukul Saxena, CTO-NIS-Sparta, and erstwhile
VP – NIIT’s Knowledge Solutions Business suggested that
I add content on “Managers of Creativity.” His suggestion
bore deeper and deeper into my mind, until I found myself totally
besotted with it. I think that the reason why the idea captivated
me was that during my 12 years long professional life, I have come
across many situations that could’ve been handled more effectively
and amicably, had there been a conscious effort to manage “creativity.”
This month the Mystery of the Month features “The Paradox
of Creativity Management,” a Wavelength article, that will
pave the way to Wavelength’s first serial “Managers
of Creativity.”
Click on http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/creativitymanagement.htm
to read this Wavelength article.
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Serials – Managers of Creativity – NEW!
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This month, we begin a new section called “Serials.”
The first serial to appear in this section is “Managers of
Creativity.” Creativity Management sure deserves more attention
in the eLearning industry. It is important for managers to connect
with the creative force in their project teams if they want to change
the western client’s mindset about the quality of work that
can be sourced from India.
The main reason behind most clients not entrusting curriculum and
course design work to India (although they do source a lot of content
development work from here,) is the lack of trust. They can’t
trust what they don’t see, even though the capability may
exist. If we want to move towards the value market, we will have
to allow creativity to flourish, and to achieve this, we will need
to manage creativity.
To a better and creative tomorrow, Wavelength dedicates this new
section.
Let’s begin by reviewing creativity and creativity management.
1. Click on http://www.thinkingmanagers.com/management/creative-people.php
to find out what differentiates creative people from others.
2. Check out http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/im_knowledge_idea.html
and review the three factors that inspire creative ideas.
3. All this is not to say that the creative people shouldn’t
do what they can, to make their project manager’s life better.
Click on http://www.management-issues.com/display_page.asp?section=events&id=275
to learn how writers and other creative people can manage their
time effectively.
May the force be with you!
(Note: If you are on the other side (Yes! the Creative Side,) don’t
forget to see “Revenge of the Sith”. - The Marriage
of the best in creativity with the best in technology! Some marriages
are made in George Lucas’ studio!)
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Resources
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Resources - Writing Style
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The URL http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_computer.html
provides some basics of using computers for visualizing and writing.
This URL addresses queries that most of the dewy-fresh instructional
designers would entertain, when they first begin to use the word
processor for writing.
Who doesn't want to write well? But when it comes down to actually
putting words on paper, only few are able to ignite the imagination
of their readers. Why so? Is there a magic wand to help us cast
the spell - Spell Bindaudience! (A shoddy imitation of Ms. Rowling's
writing, such as this, will repel audience instead of winning them...
I wish I had the magic wand too!) Please check out http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/studyskills/wr/wr_ws.html
to read about the "principles" of good writing and review
the obstacles to be surmounted!
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Resources - Language & Culture
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At times we tend to overlook the subtleties of expression while
writing, some of these can cause unintentional harm, or portray
the writer as an immature or biased person. The article "Inclusive
Language - Inappropriate Words or Expressions" available at
http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/studyskills/wr/wr_ws_pr_il_iw.html
provides an insight into why it is important for writers to be critical
of their own writing.
Another related URL that deserves attention is http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/studyskills/wr/wr_ws_pr_il_gi.html.
I particularly like the section "Ensure that your use of personal
pronouns is inclusive." We always talk about ensuring that
content should be sex-neutral, still we find ourselves in situations
where it's almost impossible to make our content sex-neutral. Here
you will find four thumb-rules that can help.
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Resources - ID Concepts
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Robert Gagné's Instructional Design Approach is explained
in a very simple yet effective manner at http://www2.gsu.edu/~mstswh/courses/it7000/papers/robert.htm.
This site is among the best that I've come across on Gagne's Instructional
Design Approach.
Ben Hambelton, Director BSU Instructional Technology Center, introduces
fresh IDs to Instructional Design in this article at http://itc.boisestate.edu/icet/guides/design.htm.
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Site of the Month
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Site of the Month for June 2005 is http://www.2advanced.com.
If you love techno...this site will boggle your mind! When I first
came across this site, I couldn’t believe that so much content
could be combined with such extensive media, without the space looking
crammed up.
Here’s a “short” review.
1. 2advanced Studios underline their corporate identity with the
line “Progressive Design Technology,” click on ENTER
to appreciate what they mean.
2. Watch the site build. It doesn’t have extensive, arty graphics;
it doesn’t sport a plethora of colors; it builds into a soothing
monochromatic hue of deep yet comfortable reddish-brown, with soft
techno-animations using letters and geometrical shapes.
3. The music that plays in the background complements the animation.
4. Check out those short messages that complete the hi-tech look.
5. The submarine (I am not sure if that is what it is) that emerges
from the ocean against the backdrop of a hi-tech city and comes
to a halt on the ocean surface, the two “ships” that
hover above the surface, the water-waves; all these were visualized
by someone, and then again, they were implemented by someone! I
find it stunning!
6. Also check out the novel color palette of this site. The deep,
dark aquamarine with the rusty red. I am not sure how and why it
works...but it does.
7. Check out the panels. Their look integrates so well with rest
of the theme.
8. Now click on any item on the top menu and watch the content load.
It’s sheer delight!
9. Instructional Designers will find the text messages on the loader
innovative.
10. Check out the cool button rollovers on the submenu that loads
at the left.
11. Last but not least (ah! The hackneyed phrase that comes in handy
so often,) click on the play/stop button in the audio preferences
panel. You can play 4 different background sounds. The detailing
is phenomenal!
I should leave the rest for you to discover and wish you a happy
treasure hunt. Click on http://www.2advanced.com
to begin your voyage.
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Readers’ Views – NEW!
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This new section will bring to you the views of Wavelength readers.
Click on http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/views.htm
to read what readers feel about Wavelength.
Now that wavelength has its dedicated site, you can send your views
though the site. It’s easy...just click on http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/fsg/formfeedback.htm
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Surge Ahead
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If you want to be cool this summer, check out some hot ID jobs.
The eLearning scene this year is so hot that it makes the summer
heat disappear! If you don’t believe me, read on!
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Bangalore:
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Mentorware - Instructional Designer, QC Head - Content, Project
Managers – e-learning, Instructional Design Head
(For Instructional Designer – also Technical Writers and Content
Developers)
http://www.mentorware.com/careers/careers_india_sub.html#id
(Project Managers – e-learning)
http://www.mentorware.com/careers/careers_india_sub.html#pm
(For Instructional Design Head)
http://www.mentorware.com/careers/careers_india_sub.html#idh
Oracle India – Technical Writers
http://corp.naukri.com/mynaukri/mn_newminnernew.php?filename=
280505000205&othersrcp=&id=&phrase=&type=&farea[]=
5&labeltoshow=Content%2FEditors%2FJournalists
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Delhi - NCR:
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Advantage Learning Systems India Pvt. Ltd. – Math Content
Developer and Grammar Proof Reader
(For Math Content Developer)
http://corp.naukri.com/mynaukri/mn_newminnernew.php?filename=
190405001070&othersrcp=&id=&phrase=ADVLENAUK&type=all
(For Grammar Proof Reader)
http://corp.naukri.com/mynaukri/mn_newminnernew.php?filename=
190405001095&othersrcp=&id=&phrase=ADVLENAUK&type=all
NIIT (Delhi + Mumbai) – Instructional Designers and Senior
Project Managers
(For Instructional Designers -
(BE/ B.Tech/ MCA/ GNIIT/ Graduate with min. 1 yr. diploma in computers)
http://www.niit.com/Admin/ASP/Aboutus.asp?Section=Global&L1=
Employment&L2=Current%20Positions
For Senior Project Managers -
(BE/ BTech/ MCA/ GNIIT/MBA with 8 years experience at least -- with
4-5 in the elearning industry)
http://www.niit.com/Admin/ASP/Aboutus.asp?Section=Global&L1=
Employment&L2=Current%20Positions
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Pune:
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Brainvisa – Project Manager, Content Developer/Writer, Project
Lead (Instructional Design)
(For Project Manager)
http://brainvisa.com/opening3.html
(For Content Developer/Content Writer)
http://brainvisa.com/opening4.html
(For Instructional Design-Project Lead)
http://brainvisa.com/opening5.html
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Chennai:
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ICUS - Instructional Designer (Singapore and Chennai)
For Project Leaders
http://www.icus.net/contact/career.shtm#pm
For Instructional Designers
http://www.icus.net/contact/career.shtm#id
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Mumbai:
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Mentorix - Instructional Designers, Reviewers, and Writers
http://corp.naukri.com/mynaukri/mn_newminnernew.php?filename=
161204000281&othersrcp=&id=&phrase=&type=&farea[]=
5&labeltoshow=Content%2FEditors%2FJournalists
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India...is a Stage
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I found the article "Tips and Checklist for Creating Quality
Content for the Internet" available at http://www.chillibreeze.com/articles/TipsChecklistContent.asp
quite useful. It's a good idea to go through this list and select
the items that you find most relevant to your current project. There
are a few general checks ensconced in the middle of the list that
you may want to use during the design review.
Check out http://home.iitk.ac.in/~ynsingh/tool/brihaspati.shtml
for some information on Brihaspati, the LMS being developed by IIT-
Kanpur. This open source LMS is Java-based and will shortly be made
available in Hindi and Urdu too. It currently provides five basic
functions, which are content publishing, chat, Whiteboard (Instructor
can draw using tools such as freehand, while chatting,) student
management, and backup. Many government colleges and universities
are already using Brihaspati. Check out the pdf available at the
above URL to read more about this LMS.
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Laugh-a-little
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If perspiration led to inspiration, we would be most inspired in
June. If a 12-hour workday led to smiles, we would be the happiest
people around. Unfortunately, none of the above is true...so turn
up the AC, unplug yourself from your seat, do a few stretches and
bends, and check out the following URLS to forget the heat, and
to grin and smile!
I am sure you've been here before...still check out http://com1.runboard.com/bthescribesmessageboard.fjokejunction.t14.
Look for "The Rules of Writing" and "ANALOGIES YOU
PROBABLY WON'T FIND IN GREAT LITERATURE." I find "The
Rules of Writing" quite creative and useful.
Empathy is what Dr. Arthur will invoke in your hearts when you
read the heart-rending letter he wrote to his publisher. Click on
http://psychology.about.com/library/hm/blhm_ist21.htm
to read what Dr. Arthur has to say about his editors. (Editors please
excuse!)
...And http://psychology.about.com/library/hm/blhm_ist20.htm
to find what the editor said to the author.
Finally, also check http://www3.sympatico.ca/srajano/jokes.html#The%20Importance%20of%20Punctuation
to discover what Gloria wants:)
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Signing Off...
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Thanks for being with Wavelength. Let's say goodbye with a 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: 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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