See you at the Summit?

gijdgihaWhere to find your IDL SIG colleagues at the #STC16 Summit (pdf)

Hello, I am happy to communicate with you ahead of the STC 2016 Summit next month, where I hope Robert Hershenow and I can meet you in person (if we haven’t before). We are the co-managers of the Instructional Design and Learning SIG, and sometimes it’s lonely volunteering for a virtual community such as the SIG. We do have this one opportunity each year to meet our members and we really look forward to it.

Attend our IDL SIG Business Breakfast on Wednesday, May 18th at 7 am Pacific in the Marquis Ballroom of the Anaheim Marriott. Join us for breakfast and an entertaining, informative State-of-the-SIG discussion! Open to all IDL SIG members. Wear your Disney swag to be eligible for door prizes.

Here is a quick overview of where you can find us, how you will recognize us, and ways to network with us – and each other, of course.

2016 Summit Email to Members

You know, if you haven’t registered for the Summit yet… there is still time. They are taking registrations up until May 15th. Register at summit.stc.org right now: it’s not too late!

Thank you.MellissaRuryk300
Mellissa Ruryk 
IDL SIG co-manager

PS:  If you are a student IDL SIG member and you are participating in any of the Student activities or volunteering at the Summit, please send me an email at manager@stcidlsig.org.

 

An IDeaL time to read something new!

Three cheers for the return of our beloved newsletter – IDeaL: Design for Learning is now online!!!

http://www.stcidlsig.org/newsletter-blog/

Connect with the SIG Management Committee as they bring you up to speed on the latest SIG news and events. Read our full length articles: Elizabeth Allen shares findings from her study on the impact of digital literacy training for adult tutors, and Virginia Butler issues a clarion call to mentor. And of course there is much more…

Welcome back dearest reader…

http://www.stcidlsig.org/newsletter-blog/

– Crista Mohammed, Managing Editor
IDeaL: Design for Learning

Thursday, April 21, 2016 Mary Whalen (Sojoodi) presents “Getting Started With Video Training”

“Getting Started With Video Training” webinar with Mary Whalen (Sojoodi).

10:30 am Pacific / 11:30 am Mountain / 12:30 pm Central / 1:30 pm Eastern

Thank you for attending our STC IDL SIG webinar on April 21, 2016.

adobe-connect-bwLink to the recording:
http://stc.adobeconnect.com/p9lo5c6qfqk/

pdfLink to the slides as pdf:
Slides from “Getting Started With Video Training” webinar with Mary Whalen (Sojoodi)

GoogleFormsPlease take a moment to share your thoughts in this short survey.
http://goo.gl/forms/M4vGhxWsEh

 

Register on Eventbrite 
eventbrite-142

 

Thursday, April 21, 2016

About the webinar

More and more companies are looking to use videos as a training and support solution. Mary will share her lessons learned through a case study of developing over 70 demo-style training videos for two software systems using Camtasia Studio. Mary will give advice for scripting videos, strategies for conducting reviews, guidelines for setting up a recording area, and tips and tricks for producing video.

Intended Audience

All Audiences. The content will be introductory (e.g., > “101 level”)

About the Speaker: Mary Whalen (Sojoodi)

Mary Whalen (Sojoodi)

For over 20 years, Mary has been helping companies use training and documentation solutions to improve employee performance, increase customer satisfaction, and ensure regulatory compliance. Mary has designed and developed live and online training programs, technical and user manuals, and online help for a wide range of companies in various industries, from start-ups to Fortune 500 clients. Mary has taught through the Society for Technical Communication Institute at Northern Illinois University, and her work has received awards from the Society for Technical Communication.

Mary Whalen

Award Winning Instructional Designer & Technical Writer
Improving employee performance and customer satisfaction through documentation and training solutions.
eLearning | Online Training | Classroom Training | Train-the-Trainer | User Guides | Reference Guides | Policies & Procedures | Online Help

Register on Eventbrite 
eventbrite-142

 

SuMM+IT+2106 = Summit 2016!

by Crista Mohammed

Well folks it’s that time of year, when all STC members get antsy in happy anticipation of the the STC’s Annual Summit. The 63rd Summit (can you believe it?)  is carded for May 15-18 2016 and takes place in Anaheim, CA.

For those in the Technical Communication community, the Summit is a momentous occasion both professionally and personally. On the professional side, it marks the culmination of a year’s work and the start of another.The summit offers countless opportunities to network; to stay in touch with cutting-edge practice and research; and to interact with the rest of the STC community. On the personal side, old friends get that cherished once-a-year opportunity to reconnect; volunteers who work together virtually can meet face-to-face; and always there is the hard-won chance to kick-back or party hard ( however briefly) with like-minded folk.

Whether you’re a veteran or newbie to the STC’s Summit, here are some tips on making the most of Summit 2016:

  • Read, read and read again the Summit Schedule.
  • Create your individual schedule, taking account of training opportunities; presentations; meetings and social events that you MUST attend.
  • Prepare a list of alternative events, should there be changes to your initial plans.
  • Insert flexible time in your schedule. This will prove a godsend when you are faced with unanticipated yet fortuitous opportunities—a business hook-up or a meeting with a potential employer.
  • Plan your communication. Time is short and precious: You need to distill and precisely present your ideas for each anticipated communication scenario—What will you say to a potential employer? What suggestions will you put forth at your SIG business meeting?

Of all the events, arguably the most exciting is the IDL SIG Business Meeting. Last year, the wildly creative and fun-loving IDL Management Committee held a teddy-bear themed meeting. They caught everyone’s attention and injected whimsy into otherwise very serious business!

IDL SIG @ STC 15

Can you guess this year’s theme? Mum’s the word, but I’ll concede to giving you a clue. The Committee is drawing its inspiration from the great state of California. Could it be a surfing theme—with co-manager Robert Hershenow rocking a wet-suit and hunting for A-Frames? Or will it be Hollywood inspired—James Bousquet, Treasurer, as Colin Firth; Lori Meyer, Secretary, as Maggie Smith; Co-Manager, Mellissa Ruryk as Michelle Pfeiffer; and Program Manager, Viqui Dill as the stunning Meryl Streep? …

Well, you will never know, unless you go! Have a great Summit 2016!

The race is on! Help our SIG get rewarded from new memberships and renewals

Do you know someone who might be interested in joining STC? There’s no better time to join STC and our SIG, or renew STC membership!   The STC new/renewed member recruitment race is now on, and goes through and  May 6, 2016. Communities receive credit when someone joins or renews online and notes the community that referred them. Here’s how it works:

When recruiting a member, have them include the name of your chapter or SIG on the online application — in our case, the IDL SIG. The referral field is found under the Membership tab. Your community must be listed on the application to receive credit.

  • One point is awarded for each member in any of these four categories: Classic, New TC Professional, Student, or Gold Value Package.
  • Corporate Value Package (CVP) members are worth one point for each team member. For example, if five new members join or renew from one company as a CVP, your community receives five points.

The winning community will receive:

  • One upgrade from 2016 Classic to Gold Value Package membership
  • 50% off one 2016 online course
  • A copy of WordPress in Depth (1st Edition) by Michael McCallister
  • One free 2016 print subscription to Intercom magazine
  • One free 2016 print subscription to Technical Communication journal
  • Two complete Salary Database kits (including the Excel workbooks)
  • Two $50 Amazon gift cards
  • One “Community Spotlight” post on STC’s Notebook blog

To receive referral credit, be sure to remind new and renewing members to list the IDL SIG in the referral field.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact Cheryl Miller, STC Membership Services manager, or call the STC Office at +1 (571) 366-1914.