EducationFor Providers

February 28, 2012 –

IN THIS ISSUE

1. What’s New in AIA CES


2. Series: Continuing Education Instructional Formats


3. What is a Speaker?


4. Facebook: Photos from 2012 Los Angeles Provider Training Workshop


5. 2012 Provider Training Schedule


6. Course Reviewer’s Corner - Course Approval Status: Why DO We Have All of Those Options?


7. Monthly Provider Tips and Reminders


8. Component Call for Speakers


9. Media Scan

Provider Spotlight!

The Boston Society of Architects

When architects look for opportunities to engage in lifelong learning, accessibility to quality content is essential to facilitating enthusiasm for new knowledge amongst the architectural profession. AIA members depend on their local component to provide programs, resources and other access to education which is straightforward and reliable. With many options for obtaining mandatory CE credits, AIA architect members view their state or local chapter as a trusted source for learning.

The Boston Society of Architects, a chapter of the AIA, understands an AIA member’s need for an uncomplicated and convenient approach to continuing education programs. BSA capitalizes on their central Boston location by collaborating with universities and organizations to provide CE opportunities. In addition, their close proximity to the area’s public transportation systems is an appealing benefit for their patrons. In an interview, the Boston Society of Architects’ Continuing Education Manager, Jen Lawson, shared her chapter’s insights and best practices to providing successful continuing education for architects.

In what ways does the Boston Society of Architects contribute to continuing education? Do you promote your own programs as well as the programs of other Providers?

The BSA is home to over 50 committees, ranging from Healthcare Facilities to the Construction Roundtable and the Marketing/PR wizards. All of these committees create intellectually rich content, much of which is used to identify or develop programming that is eligible for CE credits. One of the drivers of the BSA's recent relocation to its new headquarters was the need to provide more physical space to host committees and programs.

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What’s New in AIA CES

CES Discovery Update - Two new features are scheduled for deployment in March.

First, each course will now have a special box in the Course Information for a Course Information URL. All URLs must include the appropriate http:// and or www.; because they will be displayed as is on the Course Catalog listing. Providers can use this to direct members to an exact link to course information, or to a more general site.

Second, we have improved the visual interface and messaging of the Report Attendance area. You will now find your ‘Selected Users’ populate at the top the list area , instead of the bottom; and the Grade button now reads’ Continue’.

On the Grading screen, we have included additional messaging about whether your attendance submission is successful, and graphical indications of which items need updating to be properly submitted. Please note that going forward, no attendance will be submitted from this screen unless all entries include the required information.

Updated step-by step instructions with screen shots will be available in the ‘Resources’ area of CES Discovery if you desire further instructions. We hope you find these enhancements improve you experience with CES Discovery.

Series: Continuing Education Instructional Formats

One important element to being a CES Provider is how to introduce content to architects and approach varying learning styles and needs. Course formats and instructional design are always evolving based on new technology and research to enhance the educational experience of the adult learner. As a way to introduce the various educational structures, this three part series will discuss the advantages of formal, informal, and social learning and their implementation in your own course development for architects.

Is Formal Learning is Still Relevant for Continuing Education in Today's Workplace?

Learning formats are evolving to meet the increased demands of adult students. As time becomes increasingly precious for the professional adult learner who engages in continuing education in the midst of augmented work demands, innovative approaches to learning must be implemented to easily allow adult learners to keep up with emerging trends.

Learning can generally be classified into three types: formal, informal, and social. While informal and social learning may sound most appealing and appropriate to the architectural profession, formal learning is still very relevant.

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What is a Speaker?

A Speaker** is defined as an individual who speaks, presents, moderates or delivers the AIA/CES approved educational course material. The speaker acts as an orator and speaks formally before the attendees in the AIA/CES course. This individual should be deemed an expert on the subject matter and not serve as a salesperson to promote products, goods or services. Also, speakers should never pay a Provider for rights to speak or present an AIA/CES course. According to AIA/CES Approved Provider policy, all speakers delivering AIA/CES approved courses are required to sign a Speaker Agreement. The agreement outlines the AIA/CES standards and expectations of the speaker.

**The words speaker and presenter are used interchangeably by AIA/CES and the expectations and requirements are the same regardless which word is used.

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Facebook: Photos from 2012 Los Angeles Provider Training Workshop

We have just returned from our first Provider Training Workshop of 2012! The LA workshop was a success and it was great to meet everyone who attended. We are gearing up for our future workshops and webinars in 2012 and excited to meet many new Providers! We have updated our new AIA CES Facebook page with photos from the LA workshop. Check them out!

2012 Provider Training Schedule

March 28 – AIA Dallas --$125
April 12 – AIA National -- Washington, DC --$125
June 5 – AIA Kentucky --$125
July 24 – AIA Kansas City --$125

Full Day Workshops: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Be part of an audience-centered, informal and dialogue-friendly workshop experience for CES Approved Providers. These workshops will cover an overview of CES policies and procedures, CES Discovery Training, tips for developing learning objectives and effective PowerPoint’s so you can design your courses properly in the context of CES policy, Quality Assurance, and much more! Each workshop will feature a guest speaker who will discuss current trends in continuing education, how to effectively market approved courses, and/or how to partner with AIA Components and Providers.

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Course Reviewer’s Corner
by Michael F. Tamara, Assoc. AIA

Course Approval Status: Why DO We Have All of Those Options?

More than a few times, I’ve been asked by a Provider why we have so many options in the dropdown menu for the approval status of a course submission. Usually the question goes something like this: Why can’t there just be ‘Pending Admin Approval’, ‘Approved’, and ‘Requires More Information’? This is a legitimate question, and because the other three—Draft Submission, Suspended, and Denied—are used far less often; it makes sense to offer a brief refresher in their purpose.

Always begin your course submission in Draft Submission status, and switch it to Pending Admin Approval only when you’re sure it’s ready to be reviewed. Your entry can sit in Draft Submission for however long is necessary while you obtain any remaining information you might need. If a course is started in Pending Admin Approval status, then you run the risk of it being reviewed before you’re finished entering the information, which will automatically result in a Requires More Information notification.

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Monthly Provider Tips and Reminders

•The AIA CES and Discovery logos have been registered! Updated logos can be found in the Resources section of CES Discovery. Please remember to use the CES logo on your course materials.

•Later this week, you will be able to add a course URL to your course submissions. Always begin your course link URL with "http://www."

•The 2012 AIA National Convention guide is available for your reference.

•Reminder: We will continue using LU (learning unit) terminology with CES Programs in the near future.

Component Call for Speakers

AIA Chapters interested in finding speakers or sponsors for upcoming conferences or events can use this space to post conference information.

AIA Western Mountain Region & Northwest Pacific Region
Transformation 2012 Joint Conference
October 10-13, 2012
Tucson, AZ
Call for Presentations
Submission Date: December 16, 2011, 5 p.m.
Contact Tina Litteral, Hon. AIA, CAE, tina@aia-arizona.org

AIA Philadelphia
10th Annual Design on the Delaware Conference
November 14-16, 2012
Philadelphia, PA
Call for Presentations
Submission Date: April 16, 2012
Exhibit, Sponsor and Advertising opportunities available
Contact: Pat Gourley, pat@aiaphila.org or go to http://www.designonthedelaware.com

Please email aiamembercareces@aia.org to add your 2011 events to this list and include AIA Chapter Speakers and Sponsors in the Subject line. 

Media Scan

AIArchitect
A Natural Stance

AIA Issues & Advocacy
Hot Topics: The New Politics of Smart Growth

El Dorado Inc.
AIA Avenue Finally URBANBuilt

The Atlantic Cities
Should Cities Limit Building Heights?