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WAVELENGTH -- The ID Newsletter of India -- December 2009
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================= HAPPY NEW YEAR =================
--New-- THE ZEN OF LEARNING --New--
(http://thezenoflearning.wordpress.com)
==================================================
Hello Friends,
Welcome to this edition of Wavelength.
The first edition of Wavelength was published on January 04, 2005.
With this edition, Wavelength is now 5! These 5 years have seen
a tremendous change in the content industry of India. These
have been the years of realization and consolidation for the
entire industry. For me, these have been the years of creation
and reflection. They've made me see the world, as it probably
is - more than what it seems to be.
Apart from the natural nostalgia, this edition is also special
in another way. Through these years, I've experienced a
transformation at the intellectual level too. I've realized
that though instructional design may tell us how to achieve
effective transfer of knowledge and skills, the borders of
learning spread far beyond the boundaries of instructional
design; and that learning is what eventually determines our
happiness quotient.
To this end, I've started a web-log of my thoughts. As this
web-log will present my viewpoint on the "why" and the
"how"
of the learning phenomenon, it is called The
Zen of Learning.
You can visit my blog at http://thezenoflearning.wordpress.com.
Of course, many readers among you expected this to happen a
long time ago, but I preferred to postpone it until I could
take a call upon my commitment to the blog and ensure that
I post to it regularly. Though I am still busy, but I think
I can steal some time from my sleep routine to post my
thoughts for those who've inspired me. I hope my gratitude
reaches them.
It's been a sort of tradition that the closing edition of
each year brings something special for its readers. Through
this edition I intend to share a secret with all of you. I
want to tell you about my ID Gurus. I am not speaking of those
great minds who have given us the wonderful principles of
instructional design - they probably would best be described
as the Gods of ID, but of those who gave me the competence to
apply those principles. Read the Wavelength article, "Learning
Instructional Design from the Gurus - The Fiction Writers!"
at: http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/articles/learning-instructional-design-from-fiction-writers.htm
--------------------------------------------------------
FLEX 3.0 Orientation Workshop (FREE)
--------------------------------------------------------
Wavelength is organizing a FREE FLEX 3.0 Orientation Workshop
on January 09, 2010 (3 PM to 5 PM). You can find the details
of this workshop at: http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/workshops/flex_workshop3.htm
If you'd like to recommend this workshop to your friends in
the technology/graphics teams, please do so soon:)
--------------------------------------------------------
The Instructional Design Workshops in January 2010
--------------------------------------------------------
Wavelength had announced a few eLearning and instructional
design workshops in the months of December, January, and
February. We thank our participants of the December workshops
and hope to meet our January workshop participants soon.
Here are the two workshops that are scheduled for January
2010. If you are interested in any of them, please write to
us at connect [at] vibrantwavelength [dot]
com
--------------------------------------------------------
1. ID Principles and Storyboarding for eLearning
Open Training Workshop
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January 14 to 16, 2010
(3 Days - Thursday to Saturday)
(10 am to 6 pm)
(Program Code: IDSB_10OW01)
Find the details at:
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/workshops/
IDPrinciples_storyboarding_for_eLearning_workshop_jan10.asp?pn=5<p=nl
--------------------------------------------------------
2. Instructional Design for Trainers
Open Training Workshop
--------------------------------------------------------
January 28 to 30, 2010
(3 Days - Thursday to Saturday)
(10 am to 6 pm)
(Program Code: IDT_10OW01)
Find the details at:
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/workshops/
instructional_design_for_trainers_workshop_jan10.asp?pn=5<p=nl
The Online courses on Instructional Design/Content Writing
for the Web will begin their next sessions on January 1, 2010.
Registrations for the session beginning April 01, 2010, will
open shortly. I once again request the interested participants
to send their applications in time. I also request them to map
their learning requirements to the right course and go through
the details of the program.
I thank you all for being with Wavelength, inspiring us to stay
strong through the hard times, and strengthening our resolve
at each step. Thank you, dear friends. I also wish you all a
very happy, bright, and active New Year 2010.
Warm Regards,
Shafali
******************
Table of contents
******************
From the Editor's Desk
Mystery of the Month
The Cognitive Excursion
ID Section
Technology Section
Cognitive Footprints
Views
Laugh-a-little
Innoken Games
Signing Off...
*******************
Events Calendar
*******************
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::: Workshops @ Wavelength :::
-----------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
I. Instructional Design and eLearning Workshops:
--------------------------------------------------
1. ID Principles and Storyboarding for eLearning (3 Days)
(January 14 to 16, 2010 - Thursday to Saturday)
Webpage:
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/workshops/IDPrinciples_storyboarding_for_eLearning_workshop_jan10.htm
2. Instructional Design for Trainers (3 Days)
(January 28 to 30, 2010 - Thursday to Saturday)
Webpage:
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/workshops/instructional_design_for_trainers_workshop_jan10.htm
--------------------------------------------------
II. Programming Workshop: ***FREE WORKSHOP***
--------------------------------------------------
1. FLEX 3.0 Orientation Workshop (2 HOURS - ***FREE WORKSHOP***
)
(January 9, 2010 - Saturday)
Webpage:
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/workshops/flex_workshop3.htm
--------------------------------------------------
III. Graphic Design for eLearning Workshop:
--------------------------------------------------
1. Graphic Design for eLearning (1 Day)
(February 6, 2010 - Saturday)
Webpage:
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/workshops/graphic_design_for_elearning_workshop_feb10.htm
-----------------------------------------------------
::: Online Course on Web Content Writing :::
-----------------------------------------------------
The next session of CWWC Online (Content Writing for the Web Certificate
Online) course begins on April 01, 2010.
Please read the details of this course at:
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/content_writing_for_web_online.htm
Please send queries at: cwwconline [at] vibrantwavelength
[dot] com
(Registrations will begin in the first week of January 2010)
-----------------------------------------------------
::: Online Courses in Instructional Design :::
-----------------------------------------------------
1. IDCWC Online Course
----------------------------
The next session of IDCWC Online (Instructional Design &
Content Writing Certificate Online) course begins on
April 01, 2010. Read details at: http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idcwc_online.htm
Please send us your queries at idcwconline
[at] vibrantwavelength [dot] com
(Registrations will begin in the first week of January 2010)
2. IDSP Online Course
----------------------------
The next session of IDSP Online (Instructional Design for
Senior Professionals Certificate Online) course, begins on
April 01, 2010. Read details at: http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idsp_online.htm
Please send us your inquiries at idsponline
[at] vibrantwavelength [dot] com
(Registrations will begin in the first week of January 2010)
-------------------------------
::: Contact Courses :::
-------------------------------
A. Instructional Design Course
------------------------------------
1. The Instructional Design and Content Writing Certificate (IDCWC)
Course
begins its next session on January 10, 2010.
Find the details at: http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/idcwc_details.htm
-------------------------------
::: Technology Courses :::
-------------------------------
1. ASDC (ActionScript) Course
-----------------------------------
Classes for the ActionScript Developer Certificate (ASDC)
course begin on January 10, 2010.
Registrations are open for this course group. Click
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/actionscript_certificate.htm
4. FAADC (FLEX) Course
----------------------------
Classes for the Flex 3.0 and ActionScript 3.0 Application Developer
Certificate
(FADC) course begin on January 10, 2010.
Registrations are open for this course group. Click
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/flex_actionscript3_certificate.htm
3. AS3OOP (Object-Orientd Programming) Course
-------------------------------------------------------
Classes for the ActionScript 3.0 with Object-Oriented
Programming (AS3OOP) course begin on January 09, 2010.
Registrations are open for this course group. Click
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/actionscript3_oop_details.htm
4. PLFC Course
----------------------------
The Programming Logic Fundamentals Certificate (PLFC) course
begins its first session on January 30, 2010. Read the details at:
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/plfc_certificate.htm
***********************
From the Editor's Desk
***********************
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/editorial.htm
***********************
Mystery of the Month
***********************
---------------------------------------------------------------
Wavelength Article: Learning Instructional Design from the
Gurus - The Fiction Writers!
---------------------------------------------------------------
I believe in the power of text. I think that the abstract
textual symbols that have been derided for their low
capability to cause retention of knowledge are the most
potent instructional tools, provided they are handled
skillfully. Read the Wavelength article, "Learning
Instructional Design from the Gurus - The Fiction Writers!"
at: http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/articles/Learning-instructional-design-from-fiction-writers.htm
to understand the potential of text.
****************************
The Cognitive Excursion
****************************
Continuing with the thought initiated in the Wavelength
article for this month, we bring to you a CLICK and a
PEARL that will require your knowledge of the fascinating
world of Harry Potter. I recommend that you play these
games at home, where your little wizards could help you
figure it out:-)
Click http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/cog_ex/cognitive_excursion.htm
for a happy new excursion in the New Year.
*********************
Shafali's Blog --NEW--
*********************
Visit my blog "THE
ZEN OF LEARNING" at http://thezenoflearning.wordpress.com/
**********
ID Section
**********
-------------------
ID Concepts
--------------------
George Siemens' elearnspace houses some simple yet extremely
relevant articles on eLearning and Instructional Design.
For those new to eLearning and instructional design, I
recommend "Instructional Design" at http://www.elearnspace.org/doing/instructionaldesign.htm
This page is a portal to some excellent sites that would
give you an opportunity to burnish your instructional
design knowledge.
----------------------------------
Language & Culture
------------------------------------
"Beware of culture!" by Lena Mogensen, at http://www.nonformality.org/2009/10/beware-culture/
is a thought-provoking write-up. In fact, the trainer-reader
of this newsletter will easily identify the situation that
Mogensen describes through the role-play.
When a person who is not "culturally" expected to be
in
the shoes of an oppressor, turns out to be one; and then
he (or she) accuses the other party of
discrimination/oppression, what happens then? Of course,
in the trainings that most of us conduct, the audience
is quite literate, and our training programs usually steer
clear of culturally-explosive issues - but it's not
impossible to reflect upon some examples where the trainers
find themselves at the receiving end.
------------------------------
Writing Style
------------------------------
The links that I am presenting to you this month are true
treasure coves. Take the Smashing Magazine's smashing example.
Click http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/06/28/50-free-resources-that-will-improve-your-writing-skills/
to reach a page that will list 50 Free resources that
could help you hone your writing skills.
I especially recommend "40+ Tips to Improve your Grammar
and Punctuation" at http://www.dumblittleman.com/2006/12/40-tips-to-improve-your-grammar-and.html
and "Grammar Girl - Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing,"
where else but at http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/
*******************************
Technology Section
*******************************
--------------------------------------------------------------
Learning Content Management Technologies
--------------------------------------------------------------
The growing use of technology in classrooms deserves a closer
look. Are the wired classrooms making the learning experience
better for the young learner? When a teacher uses lesson
plans and e-Content created by someone else, and tries to
harness the attention of her students - does she truly
succeed?
"The WIRED Classroom - Creating Technology Enhanced
Student-Centered Learning Environments" by Jamie McKenzie at
http://www.fromnowon.org/mar98/flotilla.html
is an interesting
take on this issue. But then, there's the other side, the
brighter one, too.
Click http://www.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html
to read "Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students",
which brings out the positive impact of using technology in
classrooms. You decide - which side of the divide are you on?
**************************
Cognitive Footprints
**************************
There's a good chance that you've heard of the cognitive
load theory. This theory tells us about the three different
kinds of loads that the human mind experiences during the
process of learning. These are: the extraneous load, the
germane load, and the intrinsic load. I presume that you
must've heard of the novice learner and the expert learner
too. These concepts, which excellent reference points for
instructional designers are the outcome of Dr. John Sweller's
work, that included researching the cognitive factors
influencing instructional design.
Read about Dr. Sweller and his work at the following sites:
http://tip.psychology.org/sweller.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_load
http://knol.google.com/k/cognitive-load-theory#
********************************************************************
Our Readers and Course/Workshop Participants Views
********************************************************************
Read what the Course Participants feel about Wavelength's Courses:
-----------------------------------------------------------
1. The Content Writing for the Web Certificate
Online Course (CWWC Online) Participants' Views:
-----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/trg_participants_views.htm#cwwconlineviews
-----------------------------------------------------------
2. Instructional Design and Content Writing Certificate
Online Course (IDCWC Online) Participants' Views:
-----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/trg_participants_views.htm#idcwconlineviews
-----------------------------------------------------------
3. Instructional Design for Senior Professionals Certificate
Online Course (IDSP Online) Participants' Views:
-----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/trg_participants_views.htm#idsponlineviews
-----------------------------------------------------------
4. Wavelength Trainings/Workshops Participants' Views:
-----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/trg_participants_views.htm#trainingsworkshopsviews
-----------------------------------------------------------
5. IDCWC (Contact) Course Participants' Views:
-----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/trg_participants_views.htm#idcwccontactviews
-----------------------------------------------------------
6. ActionScript Developer Certificate Course
(ASDC) Participants' Views:
-----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/trg_participants_views.htm#asdcviews
-----------------------------------------
7. The ID Newsletter Readers' Views:
-----------------------------------------
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com/views.htm
***************
Laugh-a-Little
***************
Things haven't changed a lot. Still there aren't many
eLearning jokes out there in the cyberspace:-(
But there's this little speck of cloud with some silver
lining at http://www.ipov.net/content/elearning-humor
Check out:
http://www.ipov.net/assets/images/CartoonTrap_0.gif
And...
http://www.ipov.net/assets/images/CartoonDesign.gif
And don't miss this:
http://demos.ipov.net/portal/portal_content/product_guides/
Job%20Instruction%20Breakdown%20Sheet-11x17%20IPOV.pdf
So, have you learned the t-shirt folding technique yet?
I have - and just by watching the video! Who says
you can't learn psychomotor skills through eLearning?
All you need is some reflection, followed by a bit of
self-analysis, resulting in a workable plan of action!
Begin your reflection with me at http://thezenoflearning.wordpress.com.
****************************
Innoken Online Games
****************************
http://www.innoken.com
**************
Signing Off...
**************
I wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year. May
this New Year bring you everything that you ever
dreamed of:-)
Shafali
Shafali
Shafali R. Anand
Editor & Publisher, Wavelength the ID Newsletter
Director & Chief Instructional Architect
Wavelength eLearning Consulting and Training Pvt. Ltd.
eMail: shafali [at] vibrantwavelength [dot] com
Blog: The Zen of
Learning (http://thezenoflearning.wordpress.com)
Wavelength, A-84, 2nd Floor,
Sector 65, Noida-201301, India.
Phones: 9810324284 / 9810412297 / (0120)4572760
http://www.vibrantwavelength.com
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