Tata Interactive Systems

eLGuild - Online Forum, August 16 & 17

I've posted several entries related to Story and Narrative since TIS decided to open this blog (and I intend to continue), but sometimes the abbreviated format of a blog isn't the optimal way to communicate an idea (or to understand it, to take a learner-centric perspective).

Just as a 'blend' is more often than not the best overall delivery strategy for instruction, I wanted to share an opportunity for those who want to see/hear the 'long version' of why I'm such a fan and advocate of Story as an instructional strategy.

Late next week (Aug 16-17), I'll be presenting as part of a 'virtual conference' (read: you can attend from the comfort of your office/home) hosted by the eLearning Guild.

I'll be taking the cyberwaves at 1:15p ET on Thursday 8/16.  If you are interested in 'attending', you can visit the event's website to learn more.

I know the talk will be recorded, but I'm not sure if the archived versions will only be available to registered participants, eLG members, or if they will be made open to the general public, so why take a chance?  It's quite affordable and you'll have access (either live or archived) to several terrific presenters on a variety of "Advanced e-Learning Instructional Design" topics.

I hope to 'see' you there!

(Jon Revelos is the Director of Instructional Design and Story-based Learning at TATA Interactive Systems)

The TLDF 2006: A Report

Click here to view pictures from this event.

It was unexpected for many reasons. Neither the speaker nor his topic was on the agenda. In a symposium dominated by speakers with striking backgrounds — neurologists, pediatricians, psychiatrists, principals of world renowned special needs schools, vice-presidents of international associations — to delay a planned session and invite an “unknown” to speak out of turn was something of an oddity. Ashok Kurien was introduced simply as India's Richard Branson. That did arouse a murmur of interest and even as everyone wondered what this white-haired individual had in common with the English entrepreneur, he began to speak.

Ashok Kurien talked of his days as a child, how he had struggled in school, failing numerous exams. The school kept him merely because he was an excellent athlete. Inside the classroom he was the object of derision. He could hardly even spell correctly. His mother who headed a department at a university whipped him and called him slow. As did his teachers. When he went on to college more insults were heaped on him. He dropped out. His mother refused to talk to him and they didn't exchange words for over 45 years. Kurien took up a job in the villages of India, flying small planes to spray fields with insecticide. Five years later he headed back to the city and enrolled in a college again. This time, he persevered to finish his graduation and joined an ad agency. Though his colleagues ridiculed him, his clients loved him for his creative input. Seven years later, with less than Rs. 5,000 in his bank account, he started his own ad agency. Ambience was a big success and was eventually bought by the French agency Publicis, who retained Kurien as the managing director. He went on to become one of the founding directors of India's first independent media company, Zee. He also established India's first privately owned lottery, Playwin and started DishTV, India's first Direct-to-Home TV service. Today he is worth thousands of crores. Like Branson, Ashok Kurien achieved success despite his dyslexia. And he achieved it in a society that ill-treated him and refused to accept his problem.

The over 250 strong gathering at the first TATA Interactive Learning Disability Forum (TLDF) applauded Ashok Kurien all the way back to his seat. His unplanned, simple and inspired speech was one of the many highlights of the TLDF, held in Mumbai on 30 November and 1 December 2006.

TATA Interactive Learning Forum 2006: A Snapshot

(John Gibbs, Instructional Design Consultant with TIS describes the proceedings at the annual TATA Interactive Learning Forum which was held at 2 locations this year)

The TATA Interactive Learning Forum innovated this year by using a participative approach to engage the audiences, which totaled more than 100 for the two events, Sept. 28 and 29 at the UN Millennium Plaza in New York and Oct. 2 and 3 at the Allstate headquarters in Chicago.

On the second day of each event, teams competed to achieve the highest stock price for a fictitious company using the “General Management II” TopSim module, manipulating pricing, hiring, advertising, and production variables.

In New York, the education track featured speakers from Western Governors University, McGraw-Hill, Boston University, and Axia College. Corporate presenters represented Learning Tree, Telstra, and Staples. 

Carol Silk of New York Presbyterian Hospital described an accelerated training roll-out to learners with limited English and computer skills using proctors to assist learners with computer basics.

Gary Dickelman of EPSS Central gave the keynote presentation on “Performance Centered Design in the 21st Century, and Chris Proulx of eCornell adressed “Aligning Corporate Learning and Higher Education.”

The single track at the Chicago event included presentations by representatives of Allstate, Holland America, Northwest Airlines and Motorola. Dave Vance of Caterpillar University delivered the keynote on “Best Practices in Alignment and Measurement.”

Steve Smith and Lynn Misselt of Northwest Airlines described their approach to rapid task analysis. Joje DiDonato told how Countrywide accelerates time to proficiency in IT skills using a 20/30/50 model—20 percent classroom training, 30 percent through out-of-class technologies, and 50 percent via performance support systems.

Chicago participants debated what constitutes “informal learning.” Podcasts may be received by learners as informal media, yet considerable design and production expertise may go into creating them.

Upcoming Event: TATA Interactive Learning Disability Forum (TLDF) 2006

At TATA Interactive Systems, we have taken up the issue of Learning Disabilities (LD) as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility. We chose this area because it is congruent to our skills and capabilities in learning design and development. The three areas of LD that we are focusing on are Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia. In this respect, we support the Learning Disability Clinic in Sion Hospital through financial grants, development of learning materials for both students and special needs educators, and administrative support. Moreover, we have also authored a book, Brain Teasers, comprising fun activities for children with LD. This book has been published by Tata McGraw-Hill. 

The latest initiative that we have taken up is the TATA Interactive Learning Disability Forum (TLDF). The TLDF is an international symposium on LD. The event offers a platform for leading educators and LD experts from across the world to network and share innovations and ideas to help address critical LD issues. 

This event is the first of its kind in India and one of our key objectives is to increase awareness and promote remedial activities, best practices, and knowledge sharing of LD in India —we believe this is a gap that needs filling. We plan to hold this event annually from now on. Please click here for detailed information about this event.

Visit us at the Training Fall Conference

We hope to see you at Training Fall 2005 which is being held at The Long Beach Convention Center (Long Beach, CA) between Oct 17 - 19!

We are having a "Product Demo" at the "Simulations and E-Games Pavilion" on Oct 17th between 2:50 PM to 3:20 PM. This is at the special Simulations Pavilion in the main EXPO hall.

We have an interesting session on Oct 18, from 4 pm - 5pm titled ""Taking Stock of Decentralized Training Content, Are You Teaching The Right Stuff? ". During this session we will explore how a major US airline partnered with Tata Interactive Systems to build a methodology and database that supports decision making and helps strategize the design and development of training.