CPLP Boot Camp - Recorded Presentations & Handouts

Missed the CPLP Boot Camp?

Thanks to Sonic Foundry (http://www.sonicfoundry.com/) and the Twin Cities Chapter, ASTD (http://www.astd-tcc.org) you can download the handouts and watch a recording of the CPLP Boot Camp workshop!

Held November 14th, 2006 in St. Paul, Minnesota the workshop was the first of its kind:

http://www.astd-tcc.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=46

Please contact Trish Uhl (trish@cplpstudyprep.com) if you're interested in bringing a CPLP Boot Camp to your local chapter!

2007 CPLP Testing Schedule

Spring 2007
March 18th - April 8th - Knowledge-based exam window open

Summer 2007
May 16th - June 7th - Knowledge-based exam window open

* Work Product Due for Spring/Summer 2007
August 30th, 2007

***************

Fall 2007
September 16th - October 7th - Knowledge-based exam window open

Winter 2007
November 18th - December 9th - Knowledge-based exam window open

* Work Product Due for Fall/Winter 2007
February 29th, 2008

**************
See the ASTD Certification Institute Web site for more details:
http://www.cplp.astd.org

CPLP Resources - Online Presentations, Podcasts, Wikis & More!

It's been a busy, busy month -- hence the silence in October! My apologies for being so quiet -- but I think it will pay off in the end as I've spent my time gathering many CPLP related initiatives to share with you.

First off, the Chicagoland Chapter, ASTD (CCASTD) Human Side of Technology was a great success! 26 presentations over two days -- where all topics corresponded to at least one or more of the areas of expertise outlined in the 2004 ASTD Competency Model (on which the CPLP is founded).

Missed the conference? No worries -- you can watch some of the presentations right here online at: http://tinyurl.com/y7upu3

The line-up includes:

• Opening Keynote: Steve Denning, "The Secret Language of Leadership"


• Closing Keynote: Lou Russell, "Leadership Alchemy"


• Dick Axelrod, "Effective Meeting Management: How to Get and Keep People Engaged in Your Technology Based Initiative"


• Bonnie Grabenhofer & Gay Bruhn, "Quick Instructional Design"


• Ajay Pangarkar, "Building Business Acumen for Trainers"


• Ajay Pangarkar, "Linking Learning Strategy with the Balanced Scorecard"


• Moshe Yudkowsky, "How to Understand, Create & Apply New Technology"

Please send me an email if you're interested in copies of any of the session handouts: trish@cplpstudyprep.com

On the go? Looking for more mobile CPLP related content?

You can download CCASTD and ASTD-Cascadia podcasts to your MP3 player and take them on the road with you -- to work, the gym, or while you're traveling:

CCASTD Podcasts
http://www.mypodcastpage.com/ccastd

PodCascadia
http://www.astdcascadia.org/podcast/Default.html

Good things were also moving & shaking at ALC - the ASTD Leaders Conference. ALC is an annual event hosted by ASTD in Alexandria, VA and attended by chapter Board members from around the USA. With 130+ chapters, ALC tends to be well attended -- 400+ participants -- all ready to share ideas, best practices, and personal experiences.

This year featured LeaderCast - almost realtime podcasting from the event -- consisting of interviews with chapter leaders from around the country. You'll find an interview with yours truly as Episode 4 and interviews on all sorts of topics with other chapter leaders on the following page:

http://astdldt.blogspot.com

One of the coolest take-aways from the event, for me, was learning about what ASTD Nebraska is up to. CPLP pilot participant Valerie Noll and her team out west have put together a CPLP Wiki.

"What," you may ask, "on earth is a Wiki?"

"A WikiWeb is an "open-editing" system where the emphasis is on the authoring and collaboration of documents rather than the simple browsing or viewing of them. The name "wiki" is based on the Hawaiian term "wiki wiki," meaning "quick" or "super-fast." The basic concept of a WikiWikiWeb (or "wiki") is that (almost) anyone can edit any page. While at first this sounds like a recipe for complete anarchy, the truth is that sites using this system have developed surprisingly complex and rich communities for online collaboration and communication. "

Simply put, Wikis are used to build expert communities quickly, easily, and inexpensively.

You may have heard of the most famous Wiki of all -- Wikipedia -- which is a free encyclopedia built collaboratively (and available to all over the Internet) using Wiki software.

ASTD-Nebraska is building collaborative CPLP content - by learning & performance professionals, for learning & performance professionals - using Wiki software.

It means that you not only get to read what others have written, but you get to contribute content on areas where you have expertise too!

Check it out!
http://www.astd.memberstation.com/index.php?n=ASTD.CPLP

Would you rather attend an in-person event?

Join me in mid-November at the Twin Cities Chapter, ASTD pre-conference workshop where I'll be facilitating a CPLP Boot Camp:

November 15th - CPLP Boot Camp
November 16th - Annual Regional Conference & Expo
Twin Cities Chapter, ASTD
RiverCentre
St. Paul, MN

Lots going on around North America in November!

November 5th - 8th
Canadian Society for Training & Development (CSTD)
CSTD Annual Conference & Trade Show
Metro Toronto Convention Centre

November 10th
Your Turn to Learn
San Diego Chapter, ASTD
San Diego, CA

Many ways to learn, share, connect!

Happy studying :)

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC
http://www.cplpstudyprep.com/

Submitted November 1st, 2006 7:32am Central

CPLP Recertification

It was only this past April, 2006 that the first -- ever -- individuals were awarded the CPLP credential and many are already planning for the future.

To keep the credential, you must recertify every three (3) years.

What is the CPLP recertification process?

The CPLP recertification is a self-reporting system that is based on professional development. Professional development is hours spent on continuing education, on-the-job experience, speaking & instructing, research & publishing, leadership & recognition, and professional membership.

All CPLP recertification points must tie directly to one or more areas of the 2004 ASTD Competency Model to qualify.

Tip! Attendance at many of the events hosted by the local ASTD chapters qualify as recertification points! You could earn points toward keeping your certification just by attending chaper events. You can also earn points by speaking at chapter events. This is true as long as the event ties directly to one or more of the areas listed in the 2004 Competency Model.

ASTD CI is working on a standard worksheet for CPLPs to keep track of their recertification hours and activities. That worksheet should be available late in 2006.

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC
http://www.cplpstudyprep.com/

Submitted September 22nd, 2006 7:18am Central

Tips & Tricks for the Delivering Training AOE Work Product Submission

Here are some tips & tricks for those of you who picked Delivering Training as the AOE for your Work Product Submission:

CPLP Requirement: For Delivering Training, you will be required to submit (1) a videotape or CD of a 20-minute instructor-led class session or synchronous e-learning session and (2) a facilitator’s guide for the segment on the video or CD. In addition you will prepare responses to 8 questions about the recorded session.

Tip # 1: You can schedule a learning event with the intent of recording it for submission. In other words, you can create a learning environment that's conducive to meeting the criteria specified in the Delivering Training Work Product Submission criteria. That's perfectly permissable to do, as long as it's a real learning event -- real students there to learn something -- not just a room full of your friends & loved ones.

CPLP Requirement: The recorded learning session must provide clear, observable evidence of the interaction between the instructor and the learners, and the learners must be observable at least at the beginning of the learning session.

Tip # 2: One of the hardest things to do for this AOE is to come up with a 20 minute recording that provides evidence that meets all of the CPLP criteria, without editing the footage. Here's the trick -- although you're not allowed to edit the recording, you are allowed to turn the camera on & off as many times during the event as you need to in order to capture all of the necessary criteria in your 20 minutes of footage. You can use that technique to capture the bits of the training session that you need for your submission.

Tip # 3: DO NOT send a recording that is longer than 20 minutes. The evaluators will not watch it.

CPLP Requirement: A learning session is a short module within a longer learning event and must be synchronous instructor-led and must involve six (6) or more learners. The learning session must take place in an actual learning environment such as a classroom or Web-based setting.

Tip # 4: You must prove that the learning session met the minimum number of attendees. If your recording is instructor-led classroom, you must show the participants. If your recording is of a Webinar, the number of attendees in the 'room' must display on-screen as part of your recording.

Tip # 5: Yes, you have to get signatures of ALL participants. Yes, you have to get their signatures even if you don't say their names and even if you only show the backs of their heads. Contact ASTD CI for assistance if you absolutely, positively cannot get signatures of the participants and the project sponsors & collaborators.

CPLP Required Elements - To be observed 20-minute learning session recording

Project Relationships:

• Created a positive learning climate
• Defined goals, roles and responsibilities of the project

Planning:

• Conveyed objectives.
• Linked objectives to on-the-job performance.
• Managed the learning environment.

Output:

• Aligned learning solutions with course objectives and learner needs.
• Delivered various learning methodologies.
• Facilitated learning.
• Encouraged participation and built learner motivation.
• Established credibility as an instructor.
• Delivered constructive feedback.

Outcomes:

• Aligned learning solutions with course objectives and learner needs.
• Monitored learner progress in learning acquisition.
• Ensured learning outcomes.

Tip # 6: Have someone sit down with this list of requirements and review your recording. Can they find all of these elements your 20 minutes of footage?

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC
www.cplpstudyprep.com

Submitted September 22nd, 2006 6:54am Central

CPLP Work Product Submission Questions

Lots of questions are coming in regarding the work product submission phase of the CPLP -- candidates asking for tips & tricks.

Our last post featured tips & tricks for selecting a project as your work product. This post focuses on how your submission packet will be evaluated and graded:

• Can a candidate submit work product for more than one AOE?

Nope. Multiple submissions not allowed.


• How are candidates scored on their work product submissions?

Work product submissions are broken out into four (4) clusters, regardless of which AOE is designated.

The 'clusters' are:


• Project Relationships (how did you involve the people affected by the project - e.g. stakeholders)
• Planning (what did you do to get ready)
• Output (the core work product created)
• Outcomes (what did you do with the results of what you did).

Each cluster is equal -- there is no weighting.You also must have a balance across clusters -- meaning, you can't be aces in one cluster and then take a total nose dive on another.


• How is the work product submission graded?

There are three components you are graded on -- your work product (the thing(s) you submit), and your responses to follow-on question 1 and follow-on question 2.

You will receive follow-on questions specific to your designated AOE and you will use forms E & F to respond to the questions in an essay-style format.

There are two scorers (judges) per piece, and each piece is scored separately. So two people look at your work product and grade it independently; two look at your form E with your response to your follow-on question 1; and two other people look at your form F with your response to follow-on question 2.


• Who are the scorers?
People identified by ASTD CI as experts in the industry. These folks are then trained -- by ASTD CI -- on the specific processes for evaluating Phase II components. Many of the scorers are CPLP certified.

'CPLP Preferred' Job Postings from Around the Web

Director of Training & Development
Kenneth Cole Productions - Manhattan, New York (ASTD Job Board)

Manager/Facilitator/Curriculum Designer
Soderquist Center - Siloam Springs, Arkansas (ASTD Job Board)

Internal Consultant
MedStar Health - Baltimore, Maryland (ASTD Job Board)

Training Manager
Princess Cruises - Santa Clarita, California (ASTD Job Board)

Training Designer
Dollar Tree Stores - Chesapeake, VA (CareerBuilder.com)

Training & Development Manager
TheLadders.com - Charlotte, North Carolina (AJB)

Training Specialist
7-Eleven - Dallas, Texas (CareerBuilder.com)

Training & Development Manager
The Shaw Group - Knoxville, Tennessee (CareerBuilder.com)

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC
http://www.cplpstudyprep.com

Submitted August 21st, 2006 7:52am Central

Tips for Selecting Your Work Product

A question came in from a CPLP candidate this morning on how to go about selecting a project for your work product submission and what, exactly, is involved.

The larger question is -- which area of expertise (AOE) should you submit for?

The answer is - the one where you have the best work product that meets all of that AOE's criteria and requirements.

Let me start with the basics.

There are three areas of expertise one can select from: Designing Learning, Delivering Training, or Measuring & Evaluating.

CPLP candidates choose only one area to submit for.

All areas of expertise (AOE) are equal -- no brownie points for picking one AOE over another - CPLP certification is CPLP certification - there isn't any designation on your certificate (just got mine yesterday!) to say which AOE you submitted for.

All AOEs are also evaluated in the same categories -- Project Relationships, Inputs, Outputs, and Outcomes.

What's required to prove competence in each of the four categories, however, changes from AOE to AOE.

Also, actual work product evidence -- the actual examples of your work that you submit --changes from AOE to AOE.

And this leads directly into Whitney's question from this morning (thanks, Whitney!).

What evidence must I provide? And what forms are acceptable?

Here's a quick list of what's *basically* required for each:

• Designing Learning - Hardcopy ONLY of an analysis document, design document, and actual curriculum or representative material (e.g. trainer/facilitator guide or student manual) for a 90 minute segment of a learning event. You also need the signatures of the people involved with the project.

'90 minute segment' means a course with running time of 90 minutes, or 90 minutes pulled from a larger/longer course (e.g. two day classroom training).

'Learning event' means instructor-led -- online or classroom. 'Learning segment' could also mean CBT, WBT, e-Learning, or any other technology-based training delivery.

The bottom line is -- hardcopy only. You must be able to print a paper copy of ALL evidence. You cannot send in a CD, or DVD, or link to online learning. Hardcopy. Only.

The thing to remember is - you are not submitting the actual delivery of the course, regardless if the delivery was in-person or electronic -- just the elements you used to design it.

• Delivering Training - a 20 minute recording (submitted on VHS or CD) of a synchronous instructor-led learning event delivered in-person or online, plus a copy of the student or facilitator guide that speaks to only those 20 minutes of footage. You also need signatures from ALL participants in your class.

'20 minute recording' means -- (Good grief, Trish! How am I going to meet all 14 points of criteria in 20 minutes?!) -- getting creative with when you turn on/off the camera during the training session. Your best bet is to have someone run the camera for you and turn it on/off just to capture key points (e.g. building rapport, stating course objectives, starting an exercise, etc) for the final 20 minute submission.

'Synchronous' means synchronous -- no asynchronous learning allowed for the Delivering Training AOE.

'Plus a copy of the student or facilitator guide' means HARDCOPY. Do not send an electronic copy of the guide. Also keep in mind... if you're submitting a 20 minute recording of what is, ultimately, a longer class, then you only need to submit the portion of the guide that contains material relevant to what's shown in your recording. For example, if you take 20 minutes from a two day class, then only submit the portion of the guide that pertains to those 20 minutes and not the whole guide covering the two day class.

Signatures -- one of the most challenging aspects of this whole phase is gaining the signatures of the required people. 'Required people' in the case of Delivering Training includes ALL participants. Definitely something to consider as you decide which AOE to submit for.

• Measuring & Evaluating - as of today, 8/1/06, this AOE is back under construction by ASTD CI. There were less than 30 submittals for this area during the pilot, and it was probably the hardest area to submit for. Reason being -- it was the toughest AOE to figure out what ASTD CI was looking for. I'm guessing that's why its details are not currently listed on the CPLP site (but should reappear later this summer).

Chapter 8 of the CPLP Candidate Bulletin is KEY to understanding what's required. Parts of it are still under development and due for release in August.

LOL Those are the basics. :)

Keep watching this blog for more information on submission requirements, the evaluation process, etc. We'll also run a post focused on how to deal with those notorious follow-on questions!

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC
www.cplpstudyprep.com

Submitted August 1st, 2006 11:36am Central

Additional Areas of Expertise for the Work Product Submission?

This just in...

ASTD CI has enlisted the help of the Workforce Education & Development department of the Pennsylvania State University to conduct interviews with high performing professionals in the areas of managing the learning function or facilitating organizational change.

I'm speculating this means two new AOEs will soon be added to the Work Product submission phase of the CPLP certification program.

How soon is soon? That is currently unknown, but I think it's a good bet that the new AOEs will not be ready in time for folks who are submitting work product in October.

Perhaps they will be ready for candidates submitting work product closer to the end of the year.

What does this mean for CPLP candidates and prospective candidates?

It means don't try fitting a square peg in a round hole -- wait.

If your expertise is more in managing the learning function or facilitating organizational change, and not so much in designing learning, delivering training, or measuring & evaluating (the current areas you can submit for) -- then consider holding off on entering the program until an AOE more relevant to the work you do becomes available (as it seems these will be the next two to go, and sooner rather than later).

Another CPLP Job Posting!

As seen on CareerBuilder.com:

Training & Development Manager
The Shaw Group
Charlotte, NC and Knoxville, TN

Knowledgeable and experienced in succession, HPI, and ADDlE CPLP certification or equivalent.

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC
www.cplpstudyprep.com

Saturday, July 29th, 2006 10:12am Central

New CPLP Job Posting

Spotted on Monster.com!

7-Eleven is looking to hire a Training Specialist in Dallas, TX --

Must be able to deliver training to a wide variety of individuals within the organization. Excellent computer skills. CPLP certified a plus.

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC
www.cplpstudyprep.com

Tuesday, July 25th, 2006 6:46am Central

Comments from July 2006 CPLP Candidates

Greetings, all --

Last week was pretty busy with the re-opening of the CPLP exam window. Email and phones have been jumping here at Owl's Ledge with comments from candidates who sat the exam last week at a Drake Kryterion test facility.

Yes - this is a different test vendor than the one used for the pilot. For those of you re-testing, the rules have changed.

Here's the skinny on what I've heard:

• No tutorial. We received bad information, initially. The Drake Kryterion test centers do not offer a tutorial of their systems previous to sitting the exam.
• Re-testers -- you have less time to complete the exam now than you did during the pilot. You have 150 minutes to answer 150 questions.
• It's easy to prematurely hit the Submit button. The Submit button is at the bottom of the screen, along with the navigation buttons. There is no confirmation message if you accidentally hit the Submit button in the middle of your exam -- your exam is immediately submitted for grading. Be careful!
• Check the equipment. The equipment, in some facilities, is older than others. Check out your mouse -- make sure it's in working order -- before the protor leaves the room.
• Monitors can be uncomfortable to sit at for a couple of hours - bring your glasses! Candidates report the display refresh rate and font size on some monitors to cause eye strain. Be prepared. Bring your glasses, if you need them.
• No bathroom breaks. We've heard that -- once in the exam room -- leaving (for any reason -- including a bathroom break) forfeits your exam.
• Be prepared for sound and noise. Some of the Drake Kryterion exam faciliaties are located in retail stores like CompUSA. Some candidates have reported the ability to hear a lot of outside noise coming from the store while sitting in the exam room. Some people are extremely sensitive to their test environments. If ambient noise is something that might rattle you, be prepared.
• You can still mark questions to review later. There's a button that allows you to mark a question for review at the bottom of the screen.
• Questions are 50/50. Candidates report the exam having 50% situational questions and 50% memorization/definition questions. You still don't need to know the names of the thoughtleaders or theorists -- or when they introduced their models or theories -- but you do have to understand the theories themselves. For example, you don't need to know that Kurt Lewin came up with Force Field Analysis, but you do need to know what Force Field Analysis is.

Did you recently sit the exam? If so, what were your experiences? Post them using Comments (below) or send an email to trish@cplpstudyprep.com.

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC
www.cplpstudyprep.com

Copyright (c) 2006 Trish Uhl, Owl's Ledge LLC

Testing Center Q&A

Many of these questions were submitted by Angela in Houston (thank you, Angela!):

1. I understand there are 150 multiple choice questions and I have 2.5 hours to complete the exam. My question is, will the questions save as they go?

Yes, the questions save as you go, but you can always go back and change them.



2. During the test can I go back to a certain question and change my answer?

Yes, you can go back and change your answers to previous questions.


3. How does the test deploy? One question per page or 10 questions per page?

The test deploys one (1) question per screen ("page").


4. If it displays in a question-by-question format, will I have the option to "flag" the question when I am not sure and then later jump back to that question?

Yes, you will be able to flag questions that you are unsure of so that you can easily return to them.


5. What do I need to bring to the testing center?


When you arrive at the DATC for your test session, you will need to present your proctor with the authorization code you received in your registration confirmation email.


6. What type of identification must I bring to the test center?


In order to be admitted for testing, you must have two forms of identification; one must be a photo ID.


7. What are acceptable forms of identification?
   
   Acceptable forms of photo ID include: driver's license, passport, military identification, an employee identification card or a student picture ID from an accredited college or university. The following forms of non-photo ID are acceptable: credit card, check cashing card or a bank debit card. A social security card is not an acceptable form of identification.



8. Can I keep my belongings with me during the test session?
   
   Bring as little as possible with you into the test center. Better yet, leave your belongings in your car. Your personal items may not be accessed during the test session. This includes: bags, wallets, purses, briefcases, watches, books, beepers, cell phones, palm pilots and calculators. You should keep your identification with you at all times.



9. May I bring food or drinks into the testing room?
   
   Tobacco products, food, drink, and chewing gum are not allowed in the testing area.



10. Does the testing center provide accommodations for candidates with special needs?
    
    All of the Drake Kryterion DATCs are required to abide by country and local laws that require reasonable accommodation for an individual with a disability in job related test situations (i.e. The American Disabilities Act). If you have a special need, please call the Certification Operations Center office to register your exam. You may be required to submit a form that identifies your limitations and the supportive resource you are requesting. If the accommodation is approved, the Certification Operations Center will contact a DATC to set up the appropriate accommodations.



11. When will I receive my score reports?
    
    Feedback and results are often available immediately upon the submission of an exam, depending on the type of certification you are registered for. It is my understanding that you will receive your results immediately upon submitting your answers for the exam.

**** Do you have something to add? What are your questions and experiences? Post your Comments below!

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC
www.cplpstudyprep.com

Copyright (c) 2006 Trish Uhl, Owl's Ledge LLC

CPLP Job Postings from Around the Web

Employers from around the Web are starting to ask for the Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) credential in their job postings.

Here's what we found on the Web as of 7/17/2006:

• Dollar Tree International - under Education, Experience, and Skills "Certification from ASTD as a Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) is a plus" - listed on Monster.com; also posted on Careerbuilder.com

Spot the CPLP^TM job posting!

Have one to share? Use the Comments feature (below) to add your findings!

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC
www.cplpstudyprep.com

Copyright (c) 2006 Trish Uhl, Owl's Ledge LLC

Tips for Sitting Multiple Choice Exams

The Certified Professional in Learning & Performance^TM (CPLP^TM) knowledge-based exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions -- all delivered one question at a time on a computer screen.

The exam covers subject matter from across the nine (9) areas of expertise outlined in the 2004 ASTD Competency Model and presents questions that range from understanding definitions to applying knowledge.

Candidates are given three (3) hours to complete the exam.

It's all meant to test comprehension of material from across the workplace learning & performance industry.

Clearly, studying for an exam so broad in subject matter can be a daunting task (understatement!). Preparation is key!

On top of studying a lot of stuff, sitting a multiple choice exam presents its own unique set of pros and cons.

On the pro side, with the nature of a multiple choice question, you know that the correct answer is there somewhere (and doesn't have to be rattled off the top of your head).

On the con side, that means that multiple choice questions often demand a greater familiarity with details such as specific facts.

Have hope! There are universal multiple choice test taking techniques you can use to increase your success rate, especially on questions that throw you for a loop.

Here are some some things to keep in mind:

• Watch for questions where responses use absolute words, such as "always" or "never." These are less likely to be correct responses than ones that use conditional words like "usually" or "probably."


• Humourous responses are usually just that -- humourous -- and no more.


• "All of the above" is often a correct response. If you can verify that more than one of the other responses is probably correct, then choose "all of the above."


• "None of the above" is usually an incorrect response, but this is less reliable than the "all of the above" rule.


• Although these types of questions are not usually found on the CPLP^TM exam -- you never know what might wind up in the question bank -- so be very careful not to get trapped by questions with double negatives.


• Look for grammatical clues. If the stem ends with the indefinite article "an," for example, then the correct response probably begins with a vowel.


• The longest response is often the correct one, because the author tends to load it with qualifying adjectives or phrases. Why? The author knows more about the correct answer than any of the distractors they've created.


• Look for verbal associations. A response that repeats key words that are in the stem is likely to be correct.

And -- ::drumroll please:: -- keep in mind that these types of exams are often looking for the BEST answer and not just a correct one.

That means read & consider all possible responses first.

Here's a hint -- read the responses from the bottom up. That forces you to slow down and take your time in considering your selection. :)

Finally -- Practice Practice Practice.

Figure out how you perform best on these types of exams and head to the testing center with your own personal strategy.

From all of us here at the 'Ledge, good luck!

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC
www.cplpstudyprep.com

Copyright (c) 2006 Trish Uhl, Owl's Ledge LLC

CPLP Pilot Participant Resources

Ever wonder if the CPLP pilot participants ever got together to discuss the materials and help each other study?

• They did. They came from all over North America to help each other prep for the exam and assemble their work product submissions.

Ever wonder if any of that information -- all the study materials they collected and collaborated on -- is still available?

• It is.

In your wildest dreams, did you ever hope that it might be online?

• You'd be right. Many pilot members used discussion boards like Yahoo! Groups to meet each other regularly.

Register for the free Letters from the Ledge the CPLP Newsletter to learn the details about this and other CPLP resources created by the original CPLP pilot group and used by pilot participants all over North America.

You'll be glad you did!

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC
trish@cplpstudyprep.com
www.cplpstudyprep.com

October CPLP Exam Window Now Available!

Due to popular demand, the ASTD Certification Institute has opened a third testing window in the 2006 CPLP line-up.

Candidates can now register for the program and sit the exam during the weeks of October 16th through October 31st, 2006.

The October registration deadline is September 11th.

There are also a limited number of seats available for the November test window -- open from November 11th through December 8th.

The November registration deadline is September 25th.

Seats for the July 2006 exam window are sold out!

See the ASTD CI Web site for more details and program registration:

http://www.cplp.astd.org

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC
trish@cplpstudyprep.com
www.cplpstudyprep.com

CPLP™ Top 10 Questions

1. What is the CPLP™?

The ASTD Certified Professional in Learning and Performance™ (CPLP™) credential can be achieved through successful completion of a professional certification program for workplace learning & performance professionals.

According to Wikipedia, "a profession is an occupation that requires extensive training and the study and mastery of specialized knowledge, and usually has a professional association, ethical code, and a process of certification or licensing.

Examples are accounting, law, medicine, finance, the military, the clergy and engineering."

The ASTD Certified Professional in Learning and Performance™ (CPLP™) is a credentialing program that serves to designate the workplace learning & performance industry as an actual profession -- recognized as such by governing agencies like the U.S. Department of Labor.

The CPLP™ program requires workplace learning and performance professionals to display at least a standard level of competence in all nine (9) areas of expertise as outlined in the ASTD Competency Model.

---



2. What's involved in the CPLP™ program?

The CPLP™ program has eligibility requirements (see below).

Eligible candidates then go on to Phase I -- Knowledge-based Exam and sit a 150 question multiple choice knowledge-based exam.

Candidates who successfully pass the exam then go on to Phase II -- Work Product Evaluation.

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3. Who is eligible for the CPLP™?

According to the ASTD Certification Institute (ASTD CI), CPLP™ program eligibility is open to any workplace learning & performance professional with at least three (3) years professional industry experience or two (2) years professional industry experience and one (1) year of education.

To register for the program, you must provide contact information for references who can validate your level of experience.

Special note: Many 2005 CPLP™ Pilot participants felt that workplace learning & performance professionals with five (5) years or more hands-on industry experience were more apt to successfully complete the program than their peers with less experience.


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4. How much is registration in the CPLP™ program?

ASTD National Members - $750.00
Nonmembers - $950.00

Program registration fees include:

• Candidate Bulletin – program policies, basic study outline
  Sample test (10 items)
• Knowledge exam seat (locations in many major US and Canadian cities)
• Knowledge exam score report
• Work product score report (must pass knowledge exam)
• CPLP™ certificate (must pass knowledge exam and work product)


Program registration fees do not include:

• Study materials beyond the test outline (the ASTD Learning System is not included in the registrations fees -- it's an additional $495 for ASTD National members and $595 for nonmembers)
• Study group support
• Travel expenses to and from testing center
• Transfers, re-testing fees



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5. What are the CPLP™ program dates?

The 2005 CPLP™ Pilot Program officially ended in April 2006. There are currently @ 300 professionals -- worldwide -- with the CPLP™ credential.

The CPLP™ program went operational for the first time in May 2006.


July 2006 Cohort
The knowledge-based exam window is open from July 17th to July 31st, 2006 for the first operational cohort (candidates who register in May -- the July Cohort) .

Candidates who sit the exam in July 2006 -- and pass -- are eligible to submit their work product for evaluation between August - October 2006. All work product for the first operational cohort must be received by ASTD CI no later than October 19th, 2006.

The CPLP™ will be awarded to successful candidates from the July Cohort in December 2006.

November 2006 Cohort
The second operational cohort (November Cohort) can register online as of August 2006.

The knowledge-based exam window will open for the second operational cohort from November 11th to December 8th, 2006.

Candidates who sit the exam in November 2006 -- and pass -- are eligible to submit their work product for evaluation between December 6th, 2006 and February 7th, 2007.

The CPLP™ will be awarded to successful candidates from the November Cohort in May 2007.


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6. What study materials are available?

Owl's Ledge LLC offers a series of CPLP™ study materials -- from online resources, to puzzles, flashcards, practice exams, instructor-led workshops, work product coaching, and study group support.

Click here to take a free practice exam right now!

More study resources available at www.cplpstudyprep.com!

ASTD has also developed the ASTD Learning System -- a 1,200 page, nine (9) book reference that serves as a comprehensive collection of material on all nine (9) areas of expertise covered in the CPLP™ knowledge-based exam. The ASTD Learning System is $495 for ASTD National members and $595 for nonmembers.

It's a great resource for those just starting their workplace learning & performance library!


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7. Where can I register for the CPLP™?

You can register for the CPLP™ program at: http://www.astd.org/astd/cplp/portal_pub.htm

** Read the registration information and instructions on this page carefully!

** Online registration should be completed on a Windows-based PC running a recent version of Internet Explorer over a high speed connection. If that's not your environment, you're probably better off contacting the ASTD Certification Institute directly at certification@astd.org to make other arrangements.

During the course of the registration process, you will:

• enter your ASTD National member number (if you are a member)
• accept the terms outlined in the ASTD Code of Ethics
• provide contact information for your most recent academic institution
• provide contact information for professional references who can validate your professional and academic experiences from the past three (3) years
• select which area of expertise you will submit work product for (you only choose one -- e.g. Designing Learning)
• pay for the program
• schedule your exam

Important notes:

• May 31st, 2006 is the registration deadline for the July 2006 exam dates
• November particpants will not be able to register until August 2006

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8. What's involved in the Work Product Evaluation phase?

Take it from a pilot participant -- there's a lot involved with the Work Product Evaluation phase!

During registration, you will select which area of expertise to submit your work product in.

As of May 2006 there are three (3) areas of expertise available -- Designing Learning, Delivering Training, and Measuring & Evaluating.

That means you pick one of your past projects -- e.g. a course you designed, a class you delivered, an evaluation you conducted -- and start gathering materials from that project together (e.g. project documents, a video of your training session, course outlines, facilitator's guide, student manual, ROI report, etc).

You also collect signatures from people who were involved -- e.g. people who attended training, people who asked you to develop the training, etc.

Then you complete a series of forms -- you write a lot of narrative! -- discussing your work product. How did you manage project relationships? What were your inputs? What were the outcomes? What did you do with -- and/or about -- the results?

Last -- you answer essay-style questions. Two (2) of them. These are referred to as the follow-on questions, which you received upon successful completion of Phase I - Knowledge-based Exam.

Plan on spending at least forty (40) hours assembling the elements of your work product submission, filling out the designated forms, and writing essay-style responses to your follow-on questions.

That's at least forty (40) hours above and beyond what you spent actually creating the work product (e.g. writing the course, delivering the training, conducting the evaluation, etc).


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9. How much time is necessary to complete the program?

If you become part of the July 2006 Cohort, then you register in May, sit the exam in July, submit your work product in October, and find out your results in December (given you pass the exam). That's six (6) months from start to finish.

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10. What are the benefits to becoming CPLP certified?

Did you know that some pilot participants -- successful in obtaining their CPLP™ credential -- were actually promoted, in part, based on their certification?

Or that there were instances of hiring managers posting online job descriptions that for positions that required the CPLP™?

Professional certification can be found in almost every industry in the United States today. Law, construction, auto repair, nursing, accountancy, information technology training, aerobic instructing, social work, engineering, software development, and association management just scratch the surface of the wide range of professions that have voluntary or mandatory certification.

Certification has found its way into almost every industry for a reason: It helps advance the profession.

Here's a listing of some of the benefits of the CPLP™:

• The certified professional distinguishes himself or herself publicly as an individual who has attained a qualifying level of competency from those that have not.
• Certification provides a vehicle for professional development.
• Certification gives recognition of competency, shows commitment to the profession, and helps with job advancement.
• Certification helps employers evaluate potential new hires, analyze job performance, evaluate employees, select contractors, market services, and motivate employees to enhance their skills and knowledge.