Instructional design isn’t only about training new employees or getting your team up to speed on a specific software.
This holiday season, we decided we’d like to showcase the fun side of learning and development, and TimelyText associate Paige Barnes delivered this wonderful instructional video on giftwrapping!
If you’re anything like us, battling wrapping paper, bow and ribbons stands in direct contrast to the act of ripping the trimming off a present from a loved one.
This also got us thinking about our favorite Christmas gifts of all-time…
Ronnie Duncan — Early 1970s
A similar Honda Z50
We’re going back for Ronnie’s pick, when at about 12 years old, he received a motorcycle from his parents.
“I think it’s the Honda 50,” he said. Essentially, it’s a souped-up minibike.”
Living in a then-undeveloped northern Durham County, the new bike opened up a world of possibilities in the wide-open country.
“That was the greatest thing since sliced bread, man,” he said. “Riding that thing up and down the street, went down trails in the woods. Tore that thing up.”
Adrian West — 1985
December of 1985 was a time of change for Adrian, then a technical writer at GE in Research Triangle Park.
Not long after he and his new wife Robin moved into their first home, his favorite Christmas gift arrived shortly thereafter when his son, Matt, was born on Dec. 3.
“That stacks right up there,” he said, smiling.
Matthew’s arrival added to a busy time for the young family, but ultimately, one that was bound by love and wonderful memories.
“We had a new house and a new kid, and so, it was about discovery; I had not raised a baby before,” he said. “It was chaotic, but wonderful and my first time setting up a real household…”
Pat Jablonski — 1974
Rob and Pat Jablonski
It’s been almost 50 years since Pat received a gift that keeps on giving.
She and her then-boyfriend Rob were spending Christmas with her parents in Royal Oak, Mich. when he dropped to a knee and popped the question.
“It was romantic,” she said. “Christmas music was going, the crank of the color wheel for the tinsel tree; he just surprised me with it.”
Naturally, she got in one final quip of, “It’s about time,” before accepting the marriage proposal.
Now 48 years later with children, grandkids and several interstate moves later, the Jablonskis are still happily married.
“He was not thrilled with my comment, but apparently, it didn’t dampen the spirts”, she said.
Brant Wilkerson-New — 1994
That’s when he got his first look at the brand new Huffy basketball goal sitting in the driveway. The big, grey base was topped with a white backboard that had teal graphics and a big NBA logo on the left side.
“I can’t imagine how many hours I spent playing out there,” he said. “With my friends, my dad or just shooting alone — you name it — that basketball goal is a part of so many great memories.”
Over the years, his love of basketball grew, ultimately leading to career in writing. Though he doesn’t play much anymore, he’ll watch almost any game on television and does a little blogging on the side.
“It all goes back to that old basketball hoop showing up on Christmas,” he said.
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I’m a storyteller!
Exactly how I’ve told stories has changed through the years, going from writing college basketball analysis in the pages of a newspaper to now, telling the stories of the people of TimelyText. Nowadays, that means helping a talented technical writer land a new gig by laying out their skills, or even a quick blog post about a neat project one of our instructional designers is finishing in pharma.
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