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WAVELENGTH – The ID Newsletter of India – March 2007
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Hello Friends,

I have a lot of news to share with you, but before I begin
I should thank everyone who sent me get-well-soon wishes. I
have regained my health...so have my plants. This year the
weather has been unkind to humans as well as plants. The
plant-life SMEs, call this phenomenon early "senescence".
This term means - old age. About a fortnight ago, most
plants suddenly began to look withered and...non-motivated!
They looked like they had lost the will to live, the leaves
had turned yellow and their growth was stunted. They
exhibited the body language of a non-motivated audience.

If you are a regular reader of
Wavelength - The Indian Instructional Design Newsletter,
you probably know what we are arriving at. You are right,
the Wavelength article "The Motivation Spell" discusses
the temporary cognitive senescence that trainees often
display, and it attempts to explain the mechanics of a
magic trick that can ensure learner motivation. Just like
any other magic trick, this trick too requires practice!
From my own experience with classroom training, I can
assure you that this magic trick always works...always!

With this edition of Wavelength - The Indian ID newsletter,
I have four announcements to make. Do you want to get your
coffee or tea before you settle down to watch the surprises
unveil? If you do, then I suggest that you print a copy of
your newsletter, fill your cup and find a nice comfortable
corner; where you can deduce how these new offerings
from Wavelength touch your life.

1. Wavelength - The Indian Media Newsletter:
=====================================================
First things first! Your dear newsletter is getting
company - a very vibrant one. This month (about a week
from now) Wavelength shall begin publishing a monthly
newsletter for the graphic design community of India.
This vibrant and colorful newsletter will explore the
areas of art, design, media technology, inspirations,
and media related humor to enable the graphic designer
audience to enrich their skills.

If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, click
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/fsg/formsubscribe.htm

If you would like to gift a subscription to your graphic
designer friends, click
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/fsg/formgift.htm

2. FREE Media for eLearning Workshop - April 22, 2007
============================================================
Creating media for eLearning is somewhat different than
creating media for the web or for the print industry.
The graphic designers who understand the relationship
between graphic design and eLearning are the ones who
grow faster, who interact with the client more often,
and who are in great demand. The graphic design
community needs to explore their environment more
consciously and grow beyond the technical knowledge of
packages, if they wish to realize their full potential.

The audience for this workshop comprises practicing
graphic designers from the eLearning, the web, and the
print industries. If you are a graphic designer you are
welcome to register for the workshop. If you know a
graphic designer, you may want to recommend this
workshop...who knows how you may change lives for the
better.

3. The Comprehensive Content Review Services (CCRS)
============================================================
This month we also launch Wavelength's Comprehensive Content
Review Services (CCRS), where we offer the industry, review
services for Instructor-led Trainings (ILTs) and eLearning
Content (Online Content, WBTs, CBTs). If your organization
is interested in exploring the possibility of associating
with the passion and expertise of Wavelength in instructional
design; contact us at 9810324284 / 9810412295 /(0120)4315505
or write to us at: ranjeet [at] vibrantwavelength [dot] com

4. The Flash Certificate Course (FCC)
============================================================
It would amaze you to know how many individuals have asked
Wavelength to launch a course for Flash. We always thought
that there were ample courses in the market for Flash but
somewhere along the line we were seriously mistaken. A
Wavelength course is, I guess, a Wavelength course. It is
your course. If I quote a view that a course participant
shared on the discussion forum of a course she is taking;
she stated, "it (the course) is like a person, who
understands your needs and responds to them."

So that is that. Here's your course on Flash. This four-week
contact program shall be conducted on Sundays, and the
pre-requisites include ability to work on any computer
application and graduation. This course would also work
as a bridge-course for JavaScript, C++, C Sharp, Java,
and VB Programmers who wish to explore the wonder-world of
interactivity using ActionScript as the programming language.

For Flash Certificate Course (FCC) details click:
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/flash_certificate.htm

If you are interested in enrolling for the course write
to us or call us; if you know someone who may be
interested in enrolling for it - do recommend it. The
first course group is scheduled to begin classes on
May 20, 2007.

About our 5-Day ActionScript 2.0 Workshop in April
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are interested in enrolling for the
5-Day ActionScript 2.0 with (OOP Module) training program
from April 16 to April 20, 2007, please find the details at
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/AS2withOOPModule_trgworkshop.htm

Admissions for the April-June session of the IDCWC Online
have closed now. If you are interested to enroll for the next
session, you are welcome to send your applications or write to
idcwconline [at] vibrantwavelength [dot] com

The next course groups for the
Instructional Design & Content Writing Certificate (IDCWC)
course and the ActionScript Developer Certificate (ASDC)
course shall begin on April 29, 2007.

All the best, take care, and do subscribe to Wavelength's
media newsletter. You may discover a new world!

Thanks and Warm Regards,
Shafali.

(Editor & Publisher, Wavelength's ID Newsletter)

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Table of contents
******************

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. ActionScript 2.0 with OOP workshop will be held at Wavelength,
Noida between April 16, 2007 and April 20, 2007 - Details of
the workshop are available at
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/AS2withOOPModule_trgworkshop.htm

2. FREE Media for eLearning workshop shall be held on
April 22, 2007 (Sunday). Click
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/media_workshop1.htm
to register for this workshop.

3. Wavelength's next course group for the Instructional Design &
Content Writing Certificate (IDCWC Contact) course begins on
April 29, 2007. Registrations are on for this group. Read
details at http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idcwc_details.htm

4. Classes for the next Flash ActionScript Developer Certificate
(ASDC) course group begin on April 29, 2007. Registrations are
on for this group. Read details at
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/actionscript_certificate.htm

5. Classes for the first Flash Certificate Course (FCC) begin on
May 20, 2007. Read details at
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/flash_certificate.htm

6. The next session of IDCWC Online (Instructional Design & Content
Writing Certificate Online) course begins on July 01, 2007.

***NEW***Read the views of the IDCWC Online course 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 [at] vibrantwavelength [dot] com with your queries.

7. Classes for the ActionScript 2.0 using Object-Oriented Programming
(AS2OOP) course begin on April 09, 2007. Registrations are open
for this course group. Click on
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/actionscript2_oop_details.htm

***********************
From the Editor's Desk
***********************

http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/editorial.htm

***********************
Mystery of the Month
***********************
This month, Wavelength's Sherlock Holmes snooped around
to nab the culprit behind the theft of motivation. Almost
all trainers report loss of motivation among their
audience. For some the magnitude of this loss is small,
for others it is great. Given that the audience comprises
individuals, and that individuals are different from
one-another; it is no big deal if one or two trainees make
it their business to resist all motivational attempts of
the trainer. Yet, a vast majority of the audience comprises
logical humans, who would like to make the most of a
training program. If you are able to keep these good people
motivated through out the training program, you've achieved
excellence in training.

This month, we bring you a Wavelength article, that analyzes
the concept of motivation to help you arrive at the magic
spell that if performed correctly and practiced regularly
(you knew there had to be catch...right?) can ensure that
your audience stay motivated throughout.

Click http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/motivation_magic.htm
to learn the spell.

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ID Section
**********
-------------------
ID Concepts
--------------------

Here's THE link. You are so discerning...the "THE" is
capitalized because this link is special - it links us to
a fantastic story. I think it is one of the best stories
that I've read in a long time!
Click http://www1.asknlearn.com/ri_Ilearning/English/631/elang-ilearning/page3a.htm
to read, "Love is a Fallacy" by Max Shulman.

No. I haven't gone crazy. I have a completely valid,
non-fallacious argument for adding the above link to this
section. This story represents how storytelling revamps
instructional design. After having read the story, read
"Stories Not Just IN, but AS Instruction" at http://cid.lib.byu.edu/?p=138

-----------------------------------
Language & Culture
------------------------------------
Have you often wondered how you could create culturally
neutral content with a global appeal?

Click http://www.trainingmagevents.com/learninggroup/newsletter/onlinelearning/
newsletter_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003224013
for a comprehensive discussion on this topic. The illustrative
list of dos and don'ts by Connie Davis can form the basis
of your customized global culture checklist.

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Writing Style
------------------------------

eLearning courses...boring?! When I look at this statement
from the viewpoint of the IDCWC Online, I find it outrageous!

An eLearning course is boring only when the developers
mechanically convert content into "electronically displayable
content." eLearning is a fantastic medium, but it needs the
loving caress of instructional design, the creative stroke
of the media designer, and the logical thought of a
programmer - all focused towards motivating the learner and
enhancing the learning experience.

Click http://www.elearningpost.com/articles/archives/monkey_instruction/
to read about what can convert boring into interesting.

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Technology Section
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------------------------------------------------------
Learning Content Creation Technologies
------------------------------------------------------
VLEs are going to be soon removed from the exotic eLearning
medium throne by eLearning 3.0 or eLearning managed and
customized by the learner. If you are feeling a bit lost, I
can give you an additional clue. VLEs are part of
second-generation eLearning or eLearning 2.0. The future,
they say, belongs to blogs and wikis, but until they take
over, and probably even after they take over; VLEs should
survive as they can provide a formal structure to
learning, which wikis and blogs can't.

This is why I selected the article "Using the virtual
learning environment" for you. This article will give you
a good understanding of the implementation methodology as
well as the technology that works behind VLEs. Click
http://www.ukcle.ac.uk/resources/tlr/vles.html to read it.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Learning Content Management Technologies
--------------------------------------------------------------

Click http://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?
id=163920&d=680&h=608&f=626&dateformat=%25e-%25h-%25y
for an interesting Q&A session where David Wilson answers
some oft-asked questions on the future of eLearning. I
specially recommend the section on rapid eLearning. I am
in complete agreement with Mr. Wilson's views on this topic.

Another link that I would recommend to those who like to be
near a crystal ball is http://incsub.org/blog/?p=202
which presents "Un-Managing Learning Management
Systems - A possible future for online learning". This
article discusses OLE (Online Learning Environments, which
are primarily composed of Blogs) and reviews the
possibilities that they have to offer.

******************
Media Section
******************
------------------
Art Concepts:
------------------

The Masters - Raphael Santi
-----------------------------------------
Raphael Santi or Raffaello Sanzi was an Italian artist and
architect. Santi was born in 1483 AD in Urbino and he
died at the young age of 37 in the year 1520. His 26-year
career (he began painting under the tutelage of his father
when he was 11) gave humanity many works of art. He
belonged to the high renaissance period in art.

Read Raphael's detailed biography at:
http://www.globalgallery.com/artist.bio.php?nm=raphael

Raphael's works can be viewed by clicking
http://www.abcgallery.com/R/raphael/raphael.html

-----------------------------------
Graphic Design Concepts:
-----------------------------------

Checkout some graphic design rules that will help you
ensure a professional look for your graphic work. Click
http://desktoppub.about.com/od/designguidelines/
Graphic_Design_Guidelines_Rules_of_Good_Design_and_Layout.htm

-----------------------------------
Media Technology Concepts:
-----------------------------------

Click http://www.adobe.bbs.bg/products/photoshopcs/files/photoshop_nfhs.pdf
to become aware of the punch that Photoshop CS packs.

----------------------
Photoshop Pros:
----------------------

To improve your skin tone...click
http://www.all-things-photography.com/improve-skin-tones.html

---------------
Flash Fans:
---------------
Discover a new world...
http://www.samorost.net/

------------
3D Dons:
------------
A Neo-Surrealist 3D don...that's who George Grie is!
Click http://fantasyartdesign.com/3dgallery/a-digital/01pictures-3d.htm
to view four images that make you want to dream and create
dreams in 3D. You can also save these images by
George Grie as your desktop for continuous inspiration. My
desktop now displays "Ice Age Premonition".

Click http://www.highend3d.com/gallery/characters/3d_photoreal/703.html
for self-illumination (inspiration.)

Comically gross... http://www.highend3d.com/gallery/characters/3d_photoreal/556.html

The texture of the skin...
http://www.highend3d.com/gallery/characters/3d_photoreal/424.html

and some Geriatric flamboyance...
http://www.highend3d.com/gallery/characters/3d_stylistic/625.html

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Site of the Month
******************
The Site of the Month for March 07 is http://www.1007.peugeot.co.uk/home.asp
This is a Black & White site with a dash of color. The
dash of color is important. It is vibrant. As vibrant as
your Wavelength newsletter, yet the visual color is not
the only color that makes this site excellent. There is
a lot more to it than what meets the eye! Are you ready
for an exciting voyage...Pirates of the Cerebrum?!

1. When the site begins to load, the simplistic treatment
shocks you into exploring further. This can't be...you
tell yourself!

2. Then the loading ends, and you find yourself looking at
some basic line-work (black on white) with some animations
that make you wonder why this site should be interesting.
The starfish with a balloon, the eyes of the octopus, the
goblin in the box, the vines, the hidden camera, and the
key! All are so out-of-place! The site is about a compact
urban car!

3. Next, roll your mouse over the different items to see
how they react. The callouts and other rollover effects
are done with the same carefree attitude.

4. There are some special...very subtle effects that would
find favor with the discerning. Roll your mouse near the
two eyeballs at the top. Watch the eyes follow your mouse.
Similar mouse-detecting effect can be seen when you roll
your mouse over the key. The callout appears and slides
in the direction of the mouse movement.

5. Click the Open Sesame button (which is illustrated as a
key with wwwiinggs!) An animation (well!) plays to show
that your apartment complex jogs to take you (who's shown
leading an easy life) to 1007. Yes...this is the name
(version?) of the car! The number of parentheses used in
the preceding sentence shouldn't keep you from clicking
the 1007 key for a "drawn" experience!

6. Now I should introduce you the top menu. I am not going
to torture you by describing every little detail,
in detail; but...ahem! I can't resist the temptation to
lead you to the Outside. Yes, please click "Outside" from
the top menu, then select "Colours" from the sub-menu.
Check out the curvaceous Ms. Lip. She's the one who will
color your car for you. How? Click the cards in the glove
(or is it a hand?) to select the color and watch Ms. Lip at
work! What I found truly out-worldly and supernatural was
the way Ms. Lip's hand stretches out to make sure that she
doesn't leave her pedestal! The magical hoop is something
that I would like to get for my car...what do you say?

7. The final touch... Click "Styling" from the "Outside" menu.
The Fido-ish character being followed by the disguised camera
(of course, the paparazzi) is an cool piece of animation,
which then introduces the "Style" of 1007 - with the
tagline, "Not for the Shy".

I will leave you with this weird site...if the freshness
of this site refreshes you too, I shall be glad. Here's the
link once again: http://www.1007.peugeot.co.uk/home.asp

Have fun!

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Views
**********

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) Course Participants' Views:
--------------------------------------------------
Click http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/wavelengthians.htm#idcwcstudentviews
to read what the IDCWC Contact program participants feel
about the Instructional Design course (IDCWC) and Wavelength.

3. ActionScript Course Participants' Views:
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Click http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/wavelengthians.htm#asdcstudentviews
to read what the ActionScript Course participants 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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Have you ever tried to design humor? I am serious. One of
the tasks that bring tears to my eyes is the task of
designing relevant and appropriate humor for inclusion in
training or eLearning content. It is easier to use humor in
classroom trainings, than it is in eLearning. If humor in
eLearning is even an iota more than the subtlest of the
subtle; you are fried! If you've fought the urge to use humor
for the fear of using it incorrectly, make a new beginning.
First motivate yourself...tell yourself you can make people
laugh, and that you can win US$2000.00 for writing some humor!

Did you know about the contest organized by Sulekha & Penguin?
It is called India Smiles contest. I didn't. Let's watch out
for the next one and participate. I don't see myself anywhere
in the league of the humor writers...yet, I would like to
give it a shot.

Nevertheless, here's the link to the winning entry.
http://manjul-bajaj.sulekha.com/blog/post/2005/03/
ruminations-of-the-teenager-formerly-known-as-achint.htm

This entry by Ms. Bajaj won the prize (and not a small
one...US$2000.00...Bookmark this site and participate!)

But then, you need to practice. It isn't easy to make people
laugh. Here's a link that will guide you towards making
your writing more humorous:)
Click http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/may02/hornung.htm

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Innoken Online Games
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You know where you can play cool Indian games - Net Pe Khel!
http://www.NetPeKhel.com

Watch out for new games that are coming soon...

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

I will be with you again next month...sometime around the
middle of April. In the meantime...smile a lot, plan your
time, and stay with Wavelength.

See you next month! Bye!

Shafali

Shafali R. Anand
Editor & Publisher, Wavelength the ID Newsletter
Director, Wavelength eLearning Consulting and Training Pvt. Ltd.
shafali [at] 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 [at] 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

Subscribe/Gift Subscription/Unsubscribe - Click on http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/subscribe.htm
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