AIA/CES Registered Provider
Distance Education Policy
Effective January 1, 2006
AIA/CES DISTANCE EDUCATION DEFINED
The AIA/CES recognizes distance education as a useful and convenient method for architects to engage in professional development and earn continuing education credit. Distance education is considered a viable alternative to traditional, classroom style continuing education programs. It is a practical way to provide architects ready access for ongoing, state-of-the-art, and up-to-date continuing education, and it may be a substitute or supplement for traditional continuing education programs, such as workshops, conferences, or seminars.
With distance education delivery methods improving in speed, technological capacity, and efficiency, there are more and more opportunities to deliver high quality continuing professional education via the latest technology. But distance education does not have to be technology based; traditional correspondence courses (“paper and pen”) are also effective ways to deliver continuing education.
Distance education is defined as:
A method of instruction where there is a separation of place and/or time between the instructor and learner, between fellow learners, and/or the learners and the learning resources. These programs may use several delivery methods, used alone or in combination.
Real-time programs are those where the instructor and learners are engaging in the learning activity at the same time (regardless of location or method). Asynchronous programs are ones in which the learner(s) and instructor are separated by time and are not engaging in the learning activity simultaneously (i.e., learning “anytime, anyplace”).
Distance education programs can be offered through various delivery methods. The program may use a single medium (e.g., CD-ROM program), or a combination of sources (e.g., audiocassette with a workbook and Internet support).
As with any learning activity, priority should be given to the subject content and desired outcome. The method of delivery should be based upon your learning objectives and the preferred effect. Technology is a tool used to deliver or support a quality educational activity, and it is not required for distance education. Traditional written correspondence materials are also effective methods of delivery for distance education.
Distance Education program delivery methods or any combination include:
• Audio tape • Cable TV • CD-ROM/software • Computer based training (CBT) • Correspondence (written) courses • Fax transmissions |
• Internet • Publication/articles • Satellite broadcasting • Teleconference/Audio conference • Videotapes • Web cast • Workbooks |
INTRODUCTION
Due to the demand for continuing professional development and training and the rapid changes in media technology, the AIA/CES established policies and procedures regarding CES credit for distance education programs. These policies and procedures are necessary to maintain high quality standards as well as to ensure a smooth process for providers to offer programs and members to receive credits.
The policies and procedures detailed herein provide a basic standard by which the AIA/CES evaluates distance education program submissions. The policies and procedures were modified from and reflect those published by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), Learning Education Resource Network (LERN), and the Distance Education Training Council (DETC).
QUALIFIED PROVIDERS
If a CES Provider offers a distance education program for CES credit, they must currently be registered as a CES Passport Provider, a non-profit Professional Organization (association, school, government agency), or an AIA Component/Chapter. AIA/CES Firm Providers must receive pre-approval before CES credit is to be awarded. Other CES Provider categories are not eligible to offer distance education training. Providers are required to submit their distance education programs to CES for pre-review. Those exempt from pre-review are:
• University-based distance education programs. Other Providers can partner with a university to develop content and market CES distance education programs. Under such partnerships the university must be the vehicle for delivery.
• CES Providers that are currently approved by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). Contact IACET at 202/857-1122 or www.iacet.org for eligibility requirements and more information about the organization.
• Programs approved by other formal structured educational organizations could also be exempt from CES approval. Contact the AIA/CES to determine if CES review is required.
PROOF OF COMPETENCY REQUIRED
• All AIA/CES distance education programs require a test or proof of competency. For the first LU hour of credit a test must have a minimum of 10 questions with a pass/fail rate of 80%. A minimum of 5 question is required for each additional hour.
PROCESS
• Submit all programs to the AIA/CES Records office, ATTN: Distance Education at the University of Oklahoma for pre-review and approval. All distance education programs must be registered on a Form D. Use of a Form A to register a distance education program will result in the program being disqualified.
• Each program media/format used is considered as a separate program requiring its own unique title and separate program number. Face-to- face (F2F) programs that where originally filed on Form A must be resubmitted as a new and separate program on a Form D. Assigned program credits do not automatically translate into the same amount of credit as the original program.
• A complete copy of the program and support materials (i.e., a complete set of what would be sent to the learner, such as the learning materials, instructions, required test, worksheets, web links etc) must accompany the Form D.
• To determine CES credit, refer to the standard Learning Unit hour (LU) contact hour calculation. Those organizations or architectural professional associations outside the continental United States and who are registered with the Union of International Architects (UIA) using the LERN International Learning Unit (ILU) standards will receive an exemption with pre-approval.
• All distance education programs must be strictly educational in nature and applicable to the architectural industry. If the course is offered on the same venue as a marketing product (e.g., CD-ROM, Internet Web site), the “for credit” portion must be clearly indicated, marked, and separate from any product, brand, or service promotion. Misuse of the distance educational programs for self-promotion may result in termination of AIA/CES Provider status.
• Programs will be rated on an APPROVED, APPROVED PENDING, or DENIED basis. Status of the program will be provided within 2 weeks by email to the authorized primary CES Provider point of contact (POC).
Programs that are APPROVED:
• May be distributed and advertised that they offer AIA/CES credits.
• May use the AIA/CES logo in their promotional materials.
Programs that are APPROVED PENDING:
• Required documentation of requested changes or additional information before CES credits may be offered.
Programs that are DENIED:
• May not offer AIA/CES credits.
• May not be included in any list (or database) of CES programs.
• May not use the AIA/CES logo in any advertisements related to this program.
• May not use any reference to the American Institute of Architects.
• May be resubmitted for review with necessary corrections.
When the course of study is completed, the participant must report completion of distance education program directly to the Provider (via email, fax, postal service, voice mail, Internet, etc). Information that must be collected for proper reporting purposes include:
• Name and AIA member
• Phone number
• Email address (if applicable)
• Since all AIA/CES distance education programs require a demonstration competency or a pass/fail test rate of 80% or better, AIA/CES Records will only accepted the successful completion reports from the CES Provider. Members may not submit forms directly to AIA/CES or self-report Provider registered CES programs.
Suggestions for how to collect this data:
1. Provide a form for the participant’s signature, address, email, including their AIA numbers if appropriate, and return by fax or other means to the Provider. This form can be sent with the materials, a downloadable document from a CD-ROM or Web site, or a tear-out page in a workbook.
2. Provide an email address where participants can send their name and AIA number once the program is completed.
3. Set up a link on an Internet-based course to an email address or database to collect the name and AIA number.
• The Provider must complete a CES reporting Form B and submit it to the AIA/CES Records at least every two weeks with the names and AIA numbers of those learners who completed a distance education program within the specified time frame. Please contact the CES Director if you wish to transfer the Form B information electronically.
• For those participants who are not AIA members, the CES Provider must make available upon request, a certificate of completed study. (Refer to the CES Provider Manual Program Administration section and Resources/Tools on the CES Web site for sample certificates www.aia.org/conted.
KEEPING PROGRAMS CURRENT
The CES review process requires that the CES Provider submit the complete distance education program, including all handouts and supporting materials prior to granting credit.
The AIA encourages CES Providers to keep program content and materials current. If there is more than a 25% revision of content to a program a new Form D and support documentation will be required. Areas of revision include, but are not limited to:
Ÿ Learning objectives Ÿ Content materials
Ÿ Test questions Ÿ Format of instruction
Ÿ Reporting procedures Ÿ Time sensitive information such as building codes, etc.
• Providers must be sensitive to the program’s “shelf life.” Programs should be evaluated periodically to ensure that LU credits being awarded are for up-to-date educational activities with appropriate and applicable information. All CES Provider’s programs must be updated and re-registered at minimum, every four- (4) years. Approved CES educational magazine articles are valid for two (2) years.
For the purpose of reviewing content and rule compliance, members of the AIA/CES Continuing Education Committee, the CES Providers Council, or an appointed designee may audit distance education programs by participating in on-line courses, listening to audio courses, or viewing taped or live televised courses, etc.
Considerations for CES Providers developing a distance education program.
Organization’s Commitment to Quality Distance Education
• Top level commitment to long-term planning and program development with an architectural focus.
• A system of strategic development for developing distance education within the organization.
Architects’ Professional Development Needs
• The involvement of architects in planning and implementation before the launch of a distance education program.
• An ongoing needs assessment system tailored to distance education quality requirements.
Educational Design
• The establishment of goals and learning objectives.
• Educational design methods, materials, and resources of the distance education program to effectively meet architects’ educational needs and learning styles.
• Architect-focused program design and delivery specifically for distance education.
• Inclusion of a test or for each program.
• Educational design methods that meet AIA/CES policies and procedures standards.
Program Management
• Effective management of the distribution, and learner support for distance education programs.
• An ongoing distance education support system between architects and provider.
• Timely and accurate credit reporting for the AIA and state MCE requirements.
Evaluation and Improvement
• Data and information collection to improve and enhance distance education programming.
• Monitoring of learner performance in the distance-learning environment.
• Collect feedback and evaluation of the distance education learning activity.
• Improvement programs/processes within the distance education learning system.
• Inclusion of a program evaluation.
Marketing and Promotion
• Communication of the program learning objectives in promotional material.
• Effective marketing and promotion strategy for distance education programs.
DELIVERY AND MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
CES Registered Provider Program Database – Free!
www.aia.org/conted For more information go to www.aia.org/conted [CES Provider Information] [CES Provider Program Menu] [Advertise a Program].