*******************************************************
WAVELENGTH – The ID Newsletter of India – October
2005
*******************************************************
Hello Friends,
Welcome to this issue of Wavelength, the monthly e-Newsletter for
the Instructional Design and Content Development community of India.
The theme of this issue is togetherness, friendship, and harmony.
The Mystery of the Month article “Instructional
Myopia” unravels the mystery behind our singularly strong
and exclusive focus on our end-user. This article attempts to aid
us in recognizing the hidden audience of our scripts.
In harmony with the theme of this issue, Wavelength also brings
to you a new section, called “Technology.”
Invite your programming and technology friends and associates to
join us in our passionate quest for pertinent knowledge. This section
focuses on eLearning technologies and lays the foundations of an
organized resource for those who wish to know about the best and
latest on the technology front.
We also continue our quest of the concept of accessibility through
the serial, “Different Dimensions of Accessibility.”
I hope the new links in this section will help you take your understanding
of this important concept further and deeper.
September was a time of a quiet and steady march for Wavelength.
The third course group of IDCWC students set sail on September 18
and the third Instructional Design Orientation workshop was conducted
on September 11, 2005. You can review the details of this workshop
at:
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idow3_details.htm
In September, we were also busy preparing for the launch of yet
another new and exciting Wavelength course. The Flash ActionScript
Developer Certificate (ASDC) course begins on October 23, 2005.
Those who are interested in this course can view the details at:
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/actionscript_certificate.htm
The fourth group of IDCWC course also begins classes on October
23, 2005. Do remember to check out the NEW section for the FREE
workshops that Wavelength is conducting in October.
I now hand this issue to you with the hope that you will continue
to nurture Wavelength with your interest and affection.
Have a wonderful, sweet, and giving October!
Thanks and Warm Regards,
Shafali R. Anand
(Editor & Publisher – Wavelength)
******************
Table of contents
******************
From the Editor’s Desk
Mystery of the Month
Serials – Different Dimensions of Accessibility – Episode
II
Resources
Technology – NEW!
Site of the Month
Readers’ Views
Surge Ahead
India…is a Stage!
Laugh-a-little
Signing Off…
-----
NEW!
-----
NEW!
- Wavelength launches the Flash ActionScript Developer Certificate
(ASDC) course! Let your media and programming friends know about
it. Classes begin on October 23, 2005. Registrations have begun
for this group. Click on http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/actionscript_certificate.htm
- Wavelength’s next course group for the Instructional
Design & Content Writing Certificate (IDCWC) course begins
on October 23, 2005. Registrations are now open for this course
group. Click on http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idcwc_details.htm
- This month, Wavelength is organizing two FREE workshops, which
are scheduled as follows:
- Fourth FREE Instructional Design Orientation workshop –
IDO – IV, on October 09, 2005. This workshop suits Instructional
Designers with 0-2 years of experience in writing, training,
and other related areas. Please read the details of this workshop
at http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idorworkshop4.htm
- First FREE ActionScript Orientation workshop – ASO
– I, on October 16, 2005. This workshop suits graphic
designers, existing Flash ActionScript programmers (0-2 years
of experience), MCAs/BCAs. Please read the details of this workshop
and register by clicking on:
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/actionscript_workshop1.htm
- Wavelength also brings to you its Brand NEW Technology
section, which shall endeavor to inform you of the technological
concepts and latest developments in eLearning.
***********************
From the Editor's Desk
***********************
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/editorial.htm
***********************
Mystery of the Month
***********************
The Mystery of the Month for October is – Can you write a
script that makes you the “Most-Wanted” instructional
designer in your organization? Most-Wanted? You are right…
I mean it literally! Can you write scripts that will make graphic
designers and programmers, faun over you? Don’t ask me if
I can. It’s a very personal question.
Check out “Instructional Myopia” at http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/instructional_myopia.htm
****************************************************
Serials -- Different Dimensions of Accessibility -- Episode II
****************************************************
Welcome to this episode of “Different Dimensions of Accessibility.”
This episode presents some more dimensions of accessibility. In
the second episode of serial, "Different Dimensions of Accessibility,"
we take our knowledge of the concept to a higher plane. The last
episode focused on the conceptual framework; this issue focuses
on application. This ordering is under the aegis of Bloom's Taxonomy,
and progresses from simple to complex, so I recommend that you visit
the links in chronological order.
We've often heard of Accessibility testing tools; some of us have
even used them; but how do you find out whether the accessibility
test tool that you are using, is good enough. Which points can be
tested through these tools and which can't? Where human intervention
is necessary? Find answers to these questions, in the article "Evaluation
and Repair: Testing for Section 508 Web Accessibility," at
http://www.jimthatcher.com/testing.htm
At the right-hand-side, this page offers some more useful links.
I think the following two are extremely useful.
- http://www.jimthatcher.com/webcourse1.htm,
which helps you understand the basics of Web-Accessibility and
begins by exploring Section 508. In this very organized section,
you will also find some embedded links that will connect you to
other sites that have very useful information.
- http://www.jimthatcher.com/whatnot.htm,
provides you an insight into what you should not do if you want
your page to remain accessible to all users. The manner in which
information is presented is straightforward, yet interesting.
You can see some good ID around these articles at jimthatcher.com
We've talked about the fact that there are tools that help us find
out whether our web page is following the guidelines for accessibility,
click on this URL to experience WebEXACT: http://webxact.watchfire.com/
You can run the accessibility test on a URL of your choice and observe
the kind of data they return.
**********
Resources
**********
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Resources -- Writing Style
-------------------------
1. Have you ever been in a quandary about how you should dress
your language when you are writing a teacher's guide; what your
language should don when you are writing formal presentation papers;
or what should it sport while writing a dialog? If so, shop for
your language-style at http://www.tengrrl.com/tens/index.shtml.
"Traci's Lists of Ten" doesn't just have a lot of information
on writing styles; it provides you an indication of how creative
you can be while designing assignments (check out - http://www.tengrrl.com/tens/012.shtml
for some very creative writing assignments.)
2. Here's a site that you should add to your favorites. It doesn't
matter whether you are a project manager, a team leader, an instructional
designer, a graphic designer, or a programmer; there is no reason
why you should not understand and avoid plagiarism. Here's the URL
to a Plagiarism resources site, that I think can be of immense help
to all those who work in the eLearning industry. http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlpubs/crlnews/backissues2003/june4/
plagiarismcyberplagiarism.htm
------------------------------
Resources -- Language & Culture
------------------------------
1. Pictograms...are language too. If you haven't given them a thought
yet, I suggest you click on the link http://www.zompist.com/yingzi/yingzi.htm,
and read "If English was written like Chinese". I was
recently developing some course material that had a mention of Kaizen,
a Japanese method of controlling costs, and I found myself wondering
if a pictogram of Kaizen would make the content more "real"
to the learner. I searched for the pictogram and found it, but the
quest made me wonder how interesting pictorial languages must be.
This article helped me form a preliminary idea of how these languages
are formed; I hope you too will find it interesting.
2. Though I may sound presumptuous in declaring that bilingualism
is something that should interest all of us, I think this assumption
rest on solid foundations. If you are a reader of Wavelength, there
is a very high chance of your being bilingual. If you are, please
click on http://www.geocities.com/cheyenne_language/bilingual.htm
to find out why you are brighter than those who speak just one language.
------------------------
Resources -- ID Concepts
-----------------------
1. If you are a theory-enthusiast, check out http://www.cyg.net/~jblackmo/diglib/styl-a.html
to read some interesting ones. They do take our perspective on adult
learning a bit forward, but I can't confirm if the direction they
take us in, is the right one. I would like to draw your attention
to "How Males Learn" (William Perry 1968) and "How
Women Learn" (Belenky et al.) I have a feeling that both men
and women will find the theories slightly far-fetched. But then,
this is why they are theories...right?
2. Read about cognitive teaching methods in this paper written
by Brent G. Wilson
and Peggy Cole at http://carbon.cudenver.edu/~bwilson/hndbkch.html.
What I would specifically like to draw your attention to; is John
Sweller's Cognitive Load Theory. I think this theory should go into
our ID backpack immediately! I’ve added it to mine.
3. If you are creating content for adults, don't forget to check
out this highly useful and contextual article by Duane B. Graddy
on application of cognitive flexibility theory for interactive content.
Click on http://www.ipfw.edu/as/tohe/2001/Papers/graddy/graddy.htm
to read this article.
**********************
Technology Section - NEW!
**********************
This issue of Wavelength presents the Technology section to its
readers. The introduction of this section was long overdue. I had
wanted to introduce it for almost over two months now, but a variety
of other concerns took up my time and attention. Whenever I tried
overcoming my tiredness through the usual tactics (cup of tea, splashes
of cold water,) and sat down to design it, the importance of this
section tugged at my heartstrings, stopping me; telling me that
I should wait until I could focus all my attention on it. So I decided
to wait until the work-pressure eased...until now.
First and foremost, I hope to engage the interest of eLearning
programmers who wish to expand their horizons beyond the beautiful
world of logic; into the instructionally apt, currently blossoming,
and passionately inviting field of instructionally-impacting eLearning
courses.
I would like to acknowledge and underline the fact that knowledge
of technology is extremely important for any instructional designer
who wishes to make his mark in the eLearning industry. All those
who wish to become instructional designers par-excellence, should
give technology the respect it deserves, only then can they think
of creating eLearning courses that are not just "instructionally-acceptable"
but "instructionally-impacting."
I think my designs are clear. I wish to emphasize that eLearning
Instructional Designers and eLearning programmers need to come closer
in terms of overlapping their skills, if they want to create courses
that can win international acclaim. To this lofty yet achievable
objective, I dedicate this new section of Wavelength. Welcome to
Technology.
Here is a simple classification that we will follow for this section:
The different LMSs, CMSs, and standards for reusability will form
the Learning Content Management Technologies, while Flash, Director,
Dreamweaver, ASP, JSP, and other packages and languages that help
us create content for learning will form the Learning Content Creation
Technologies.
Each month, Wavelength will bring to you the latest developments
on these fronts, along with links that will help you explore these
technologies further.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Resources – Learning Content Creation Technologies
--------------------------------------------------------------
- I welcome the media programmers, both present and prospective,
to this section by presenting this simple, to-the-point article
- "An Introduction to Authoring Tools" by Jeff Harris
at http://www.learningcircuits.org/2002/mar2002/harris.html.
It is not unusual for us to get chained to a particular software
for years together, forgetting the macro picture! This article
will help you build it...in not more than an hour.
- Check out the article "Content builders - tools for eLearning
authors" at http://www.fastrak-consulting.co.uk/tactix/features/content.htm.
I specially recommend that you scroll down to find the table that
compares different authoring tools. I am sure that this information
will help you broaden your horizons.
- Flash lovers...you should read this article "Macromedia
FlashMX – A Serious Instructional Authoring Tool,"
at http://www.macromedia.com/resources/elearning/article/flashmx_authoring/.
If you aren't in love with Flash yet, you too should read it,
and find out why it such a great package.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Resources – Learning Content Management Technologies
--------------------------------------------------------------
- If you are new to eLearning, you are probably new to the technologies
that eLearning employs to meet its objectives. Click on
http://www.portalsmag.com/articles/default.asp?ArticleID=5629
to read "The ABCs of elearning" by Robert P. Lipschutz,
who gently introduces and builds the subject through this interesting
article.
- The path from Instructional Design to eLearning is paved with
technology. The article, "Capturing requirements for e-learning
systems design" at
http://cep.upc.es/Publicaciones/CAES2001/paperNuria.htm
introduces the paradigm of designing instruction for eLearning.
- To read about the "Emerging Technology Trends in eLearning,"
click on http://www.linezine.com/2.1/features/ewette.htm.
This article by Dr. Ellen D.Wagner, gives a complete overview
of different components of eLearning technology, while exploring
the direction that eLearning is expected to take in future.
******************
Site of the Month
******************
And the Site of the Month for October is...
http://www.disney.co.uk/
Here are the reasons why this site wears the crown for October.
1. This site is for children, and you don't need any one to tell
you this. You just type the URL in your browser and you'll know
it.
2. The colors are fantastically bright. They are sunny and youthful.
Winnie the Pooh's warm yellow is quietly complemented with the blue
sky, the bright intelligent yellow of the background is subdued
through a clever use of blue.
3. The site is made for little boys and little girls. For boys
there are bright blues and smart yellows, for girls there are soft
pinks and dewy fresh greens.
4. The homepage has little animations happening all over. Buzzing
bees and flitting butterflies; blinking eyes and dancing stars;
and they all blend into a theme so soft and happy that you want
to be a child again.
5. Check out the three tabs at the bottom. They take you to three
different sections for which thumbnails are displayed. Play a game
of your choice, and while you are at it, take out time to appreciate
the graphics. Aren't they fantastic?
6.Click on the Channels tab and wait for the Disney Channels site
to load. The theme integrates well with the Disney homepage, yet
it looks so different. The treatment of the buttons and panels changes,
yet it looks Disney! I don't know why. Do you?
7. If you observe the layout of the channels page closely, you
will find that it resembles the layout of the homepage. The central
window flanked with panels on all sides. The announcements take
place on the right-side panels. Consistency is the name of the game.
8. I guess it's time for me to stop, and for you to move on. Do
remember to visit http://www.disney.co.uk/
with your child self...you analyze it (what else?) while the child
within you enjoys it!
*****************
Readers' Views
*****************
Click on http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/views.htm
to read
what readers feel about Wavelength.
************
Surge Ahead
************
Have you seen this ad?
I always wanted to…
Sleep some more.
I always wanted to…
Leave office before midnight.
I always wanted to…
Be the boss’s boss.
traaalaaaaa….check out the new jobs section!
=================================
Instructional Design/Project Management Jobs:
=================================
----------
US
---------
NIIT:
Content Developers / Technical Writers (Exp: 1-3 years)
http://www.niit.com/Admin/ASP/Aboutus.asp?Section=Global&
L1=Employment&L2=Current%20Positions
or mail directly to hr@cognitivearts.com
with subject Content Developers / Technical Writers
---------------
Delhi - NCR:
---------------
Infopro - Noida
Instructional Designer/ Technical Writer/ Content Writer (Exp: 1-3
years)
http://learning.infoprocorp.com/careers/careers.html
NIIT - Delhi
Senior Project Managers (Exp: 8 years with 4-5 years in eLearning
industry)
http://www.niit.com/Admin/ASP/Aboutus.asp?Section=Global&
L1=Employment&L2=Current%20Positions
or mail directly to: rupalis@niit.com with subject Senior Project
Managers
Brainvisa – Noida (also at Pune)
Instructional Design - Project Lead (2-8 years)
http://www.brainvisa.com/opening5.html
Content developer / Content writer (1-3 years)
http://www.brainvisa.com/opening4.html
FCS - Noida
ID (Exp 2 years)
http://www.fcsltd.com/home/careers/careers.asp#OSG/ID
Sr. IDs (Exp 3-5 years)
http://www.fcsltd.com/home/careers/careers.asp#SRID
----------
Mumbai
----------
Itellisense
Instructional Designer (2 years)
http://jobsearch.monsterindia.com/getjob.asp?JobID=29534805
NIIT – Mumbai (also at Delhi)
Instructional Designers (Exp: 2 yrs or more)
http://www.niit.com/Admin/ASP/Aboutus.asp?Section=Global&
L1=Employment&L2=Current%20Positions
or mail directly to: mail to rupalis@niit.com with subject Instructional
Designers
Manipal Universal Learning Pvt Ltd
Instructional Designer (Exp: Min 2.5 years)
http://www.manipalu.com/careers/openings.asp#14
-----------
Pune
-----------
Sellcraft Softech Pvt. Ltd
Instructional Designer (Exp: 2-5 years)
http://corp.naukri.com/mynaukri/mn_newminnernew.php?filename=130905000259
Symantec
Technical Writers or Courseware Developers (Exp: 3+ years)
http://www.veritasindia.com/careers/#ts9
HSBC:
Instructional Designer (3-5 years)
http://jobsearch.monsterindia.com/getjob.asp?JobID=33124588
Brainvisa:
Project Managers (Exp: 3-7 years)
http://www.brainvisa.com/opening3.html
-------------
Bangalore
-------------
IBM
1. Project Manager (Experience: 7+ years of experience in PM, with
at least 4 years of it in the eLearning domain.)
2. Senior Instructional Designer (Experience: Over all experience
of 10 yrs and above in eLearning. 5+ years of experience in Instructional
Design)
3. Lead Instructional Designers /Content developers (Experience:
Some ID experience and 1 or 2 years team management experience)
4. Lead Instructional Designers /Content developers (Experience:
2+ years of experience in content development/creative writing in
the eLearning domain)
5. Graphic Artist (Experience: 3+ years of experience in design
and development of graphics and animation)
6. Courseware Engineer or Multimedia Developer cum web designer
(Experience: Minimum 3 years experience in Multimedia Content development
and / or Web development)
Check out the following URL for all the above jobs.
https://forms.bpfj.intronet.com/ibm/Forms/ap/expro/VacancyDetails.jsp?vacancyCode=32464
--------
Chennai
--------
ElementK:
Content Developer (Exp: 5 years)
http://corp.naukri.com/mynaukri/mn_newminnernew.php?filename=090905001620
Lionbridge:
Project Director/Sr. Project Manager/Project Manager
http://www.lionbridge.com/company/careers/empdisplay.asp?intJobID=278&intLangID=1
=======================
Technology / Programming Jobs:
=======================
-----------------
Bangalore
-----------------
Rennaisance:
Flash Developer (Exp:1-5 years)
http://www.renaissanceind.com/car_flash_developers.htm
-----------------
Mumbai
-----------------
Praxis Technologies:
Flash Developers (Exp: 1-2 years)
http://www.praxistechnologies.net/careers/careers.html
-----------------
Delhi - NCR
-----------------
FCS:
Flash Developers
http://www.fcsltd.com/home/careers/careers.asp#FDev
*******************
India...is a Stage!
*******************
I found an article by Indranil Chakraborty at: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=30398.
What caught my eye was: "The XLRI’s management programmes
are delivered on the Hughes DireWay global education interactive
learning platform from classrooms based in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore
and Kolkata." I was quite surprised to discover that a premier
management institute in India was conducting virtual classes, two
years ago. It’s high time our universities discovered the
power and reach of virtual classrooms, and began using them to impart
education in remote areas.
***************
Laugh-a-little
***************
No…please…Please…PLEASE! Leave me alone! I am
busy! I can’t laugh! If Microsoft Word hears me, I am a goner!
Please leave me alone! I’ve given my word to Microsoft Word;
I shan’t look at anything but the screen…the little
box of light that Plato feared would keep us glued forever, making
us wonder whether what we see is light or knowledge!
Don’t worry, we will not tell tales. Laugh with us for a
while and no body would be any wiser…including Microsoft Word!
Do you want to know something serious about humor? Read "Stupid
Things Trainers Do To Sabotage Success - Not Using Humor At All,
Or Using It Inappropriately." at http://www.gmp1st.com/trtp/trtp0900.htm.
My advice (which comes free with Wavelength,) is that you should
be what you are...your natural self. Serious people, who attempt
to be funny, end up "looking funny," and that isn't a
good thing for the credibility of your training!
Wow! I think I am assassinating the character of this section by
using it as an "Advice-from-the-Doctor" forum! Let's get
down to some real good, tangy, and refreshing humor!
If you haven’t seen this, you haven’t seen confidence.
This is confidence!
http://www.fl-k9.com/graphics/Dog%20Humor/self_Confidence_1.jpg
This all-purpose excuse form is perfect for...well...for all excuses!
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/6174/EXCUSE-FORMS.HTM
For some seriously funny classroom humor, visit: http://www.teachersfirst.com/humor.shtml
(When did I grow up? More accurately, why did I grow up?)
Here's something for language experts and trainers...check out:
http://www.squarewheels.com/jokes/trainerjokes3.html
to read some really funny trainer jokes! “Funny Trainer –
Jokes” or “Funny - Trainer Jokes”? You decide.
**************
Signing Off...
**************
I can see you smiling; you are feeling better already. Aren’t
you?
So let’s promise to meet again, next month, about the same
time, and about the same place…your mailbox!
Goodbye!
Wavelength shall be back next month, with more information, news,
humor, and enthusiasm.
See you then!
***********************************************************************
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
Subscribe/Gift Subscription/Unsubscribe - Click on
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/subscribe.htm
***********************************************************************
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