Using the SQ3R Method to Study for the CPLP

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ANNOUNCEMENT - Job Ad with CPLP REQUIRED!
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Well, here it is ladies & gentlemen - the first job ad I've seen that lists the CPLP certification as REQUIRED!

OFFICETEAM - Naples, FL (as posted on Monster.com)
Human Resources Administrator

Job Description:
Prestigious Naples Country Club is looking for an experienced Human Resources Administrator to grow with their company. In this role, you will be responsible for maintaining employee information, new hire training, provide advice and counsel to management and employees to ensure consistent application and integration of policies, procedures, and practices.

Human Resource Administrators interested in applying for this position should have at least three years of related HR experience in a country club or hospitality field, in addition the candidate must have experience with sexual harassment training, F&B training as well as being CPLP certified.

Qualifications:
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, excellent communication and organizational skills. 3+ years HR in the Hospitality Industry experience required. CPLP Certification is REQUIRED

[REQUIRED is OFFICETEAM's emphasis, not ours!]

See this job description for yourself on Monster.com at:

http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=63307099

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Using the SQ3R Method to Study for the CPLP

Although eligibility requirements for entering the Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) credentialing program call for candidates to have a minimum of three (3) years industry experience, many CPLP candidates are professionals who have been in the learning & performance industry for far longer - 10+ years, 20+years, etc.

Given as such, there are a great many of us who are a long way from school and haven't studied for an exam in a decade or more! (Did Isay that out loud?)

We're a bit out of practice. :)

If you are a professional who's a long ways away from being in the study habit, or if you're a candidate just looking for a way to sharpen existing study habits, this tip is for you!

This week we're discussing the SQ3R Method (Robinson, 1970).

Adults. We're a funny bunch. Just as the research shows that adults learn more effectively when the learning has relevance to us, to our situation, so the research shows that the same holds true for studying.

Studying works better for us when the material has meaning; when we can connect it to something else.

These types of connections are referred to as 'elaborations' in cognitive psychology. The more elaborate your schema for something, the better able you are to remember it (think of chess players whouse patterns to strategize during a game).

These relationships don't have to be earth shattering, important, or complex - they can often be silly, illogical, and fun!

Consider mnemonics. Mnemonics are 'tricks' used to memorize something. A mnemonic usually consists of a word, phrase, rhyme, or sing-song about something easy that helps us to remember something more complex.

Those of us in the United States grew up with:

Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally

This mnemonic is used to help kids remember the algebraic mathematical order of operations - Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.

In this example, each letter of an operation (e.g. "P" for Parentheses) is given a corresponding word with the same letter (e.g. "P" for Please) in a silly sing-song sentence. If you can remember the sentence (and many do) you can remember the order.

Then there's the ever popular:

"Thirty days hath September, April, June and November. All the resthave thirty-one, except February alone, which has eight and a scoreuntil leap year gives it one day more."

(I know I'm not the only one who has to sing that in her head to remember the number of days in a month!)

This mnemonic is an example of a gestalt - a configuration or pattern of elements that creates a unified whole. Meaning, the sequence of the mnemonic is also emphasized. You have to 'sing' it in the specific order, otherwise the sentence doesn't make any sense.

Anyone up for singing his/her ABCs?

My personal favourite?

All King Edward's Horses Can Make Big Fences

That's the mnemonic dressage riders use to remember where each letter is located in a dressage arena. This is important because horse & rider are to perform different movements at each letter, so to remember the choreographed pattern one is to ride in competition, you must remember where the letters are located.

Enter the SQ3R method. The SQ3R method is a 5-step method - Survey,Question, Read, Recite & Review (SQ3R) - for achieving active elaboration.

We'll use reading as an example. This is especially effective if you're studying with the Owl's Ledge Study Packs or using the ASTDLearning System.

Here are the 5 steps to achieve elaboration with written material:

• Step 1. Survey (1 minute): Before beginning reading look through the whole chapter, Infoline, or article. Pay attention to the headings & subheadings. Our brains love to latch on to hierarchical structures! Try not to actually read the material yet; just see if you can identify 3-6 major ideas in the material.
  
• Step 2. Question (usually less than 30 seconds): Ask yourself what the material is about: What is the question it's trying to answer? You can also ask, What question do I have that this material might help answer? Repeat this process with each subsection of the material. Turn each heading into a question.
  
• Step 3. Read: Now you're ready to begin reading the material. Read one section at a time looking for the answer to the question proposed by the heading. This is active reading - you're not just scanning the material! Active reading requires concentration so make sure you're somewhere with a block of time that you can devote to quiet concentration.
  
• Step 4. Recite/write (about a minute): Say to yourself (in your head or out loud - which is an especially fun exercise on the commuter train) or write down (you're allowed to doodle in the margins of the material) a key phrase that sums up the major point of the section and answers the question. It is critical to use your own words - don't just copy a phrase from the material. Research shows that we remember our own (active) connections better than ones given to us (passive); that our own hierarchies are generally better than the best prefab hierarchies.
  
• Step 5. Review (less than 5 minutes): After repeating steps 2-4 for each section you have a list of key phrases that provides a sort of outline for the material. Test yourself by covering up the key phrases and seeing if you can recall them. Do this right after you finish reading the material. If you can't recall one of your major points, that's a section you need to reread.
  

Rinse. Repeat.

SQ3R can be a very effective study method for breaking down all of the material contained across all nine (9) areas of expertise in the ASTD Competency Model, which the CPLP Knowledge-base Exam is based on.

I once used this method to weave together 12 chapters of a psychology exam in college - a friend of mine and I wove all the material together into one, long story - and used it to ace the psych final!

Details of that experience are for another email - or catch me at a CPLP Boot Camp and I'll tell you the story!

Study happy!
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CPLPCOACH.COM Contest for CPLPCOACH.COM Members

CPLPCOACH.COM is about building community. In that spirit, we'dlike to encourage people to interact with each other on the discussion forums by offering a 'content posting' contest.

The rules are simple:

• The posts must contain real content -questions/responses/discussion.
• Each post counts as a submission inthe drawing.
• More posts, more chances to win!

Members can access the discussion forums here:

http://www.cplpcoach.com/members/forum/allforums.cfm

We'll draw another winner on October 20th! The winner gets to pick one (1) item from the CPLPCOACH.COM Store! ===============================================================
CPLPCOACH.COM Store Now Open!

Featuring books and Owl Study Packs that can be customized to suit your personal study plan!

http://www.cplpcoach.com/products/department3.cfm

Recertification Credit Hours - Tracking System
Beta Testing is About to Start!

In order for us to retain our CPLP certification, we have to re-certify every 3 years. Recertification means documenting and providing evidence for events/activities that qualify for recertification credit hours.

Owl's Ledge is in the process of developing a recertification system that helps CPLPs to track & report their recertification hours.

Use the link below if you're a CPLP interested in helping us to test the recertification system:

http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/136.cfm

Upcoming Events

2007 ASTD Leaders Conference (ALC)
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center
Alexandria, VA
October 26-27, 2007
* Pre-conference 10/25

ASTD Chapter Leaders - attend our presentations at this year's ALC!

• Friday, October 26 - "Do-Re-Mi CPLP: Singing Each Note to Support CPLP
  Certification"
• Saturday, October 27 - "Solution Symphony: 75 Chapter Leader Tips in 75
  Minutes"

ALC is free to ASTD Chapter Leaders - register today!
http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/mgcal.cfm?calID=1&caldate=10/25/2007

>>>

Twin Cities ASTD - Regional Conference & Exposition
River Centre - St. Paul, MN
November 13 & 14th, 2007
http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/mgcal.cfm?calID=1&caldate=11/13/2007

** Visit Owl's Ledge LLC in the Exhibit Hall in St. Paul!

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC - The CPLP Certification Experts
http://www.cplpcoach.com/
http://www.cplpstudyprep.com/

CPLP Knowledge-based Exam Study Tips

Hi all -

A big thanks to Evette M. in Phoenix, AZ for reminding us of these CPLP Knowledge-based Exam tips:

• Best Answer - when sitting the exam you are always looking for the BEST
  answer, not just the first correct answer.
  
• Ideal vs Reality - the exam is based exclusively on the principles and
  practices outlined in the 2004 ASTD Competency Model, which is not necessarily
  reflective of your current work situation/reality. However, to pass the
  certification process, you must answer the questions based on the ASTD model and
  body of knowledge, and not necessarily on your personal experiences.
  
• Study Hard, Study Often - then take some downtime immediately before sitting
  the exam.

>> Specific Examples >>

>> Best Answer Example

Q. Why are learning objectives important?

a. Learning objectives provide a list of topics to be covered in the course.
b. Learning objectives help to frame the content of the course.
c. Learning objectives outline the body of knowledge that learners should know and understand by the time the course is complete.
d. Learning objectives describe what learners should know or be able to do at the end of the course.

Answers A-C are, perhaps, somewhat true - but D is the BEST answer.

It is the BEST answer because it is the most accurate and complete.

>> Ideal vs Reality Example

I sat the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam several years ago and spent long hours with my study group prepping - and arguing - over the exam. The exam is entirely based on the Project Management Institute's "Project Management Book of Knowledge" - otherwise known as the PMBOK.

It has to be based on something, right?

Some of the themes set forth in the PMBOK, I felt, were obtuse - such as PMI's views on 'gold plating' (giving customers more than they ask for).

Personally, I like a bit of gold plating in my projects - over deliver just a little bit. Delight the customer.

In PMI circles that's a BIG NO NO. You deliver *exactly* what you've promised to deliver, no more, no less.

So in prepping for the PMP exam, I'd get a bit miffed whenever I came across a question that obviously asked the "To Gold Plate or Not To Gold Plate" question. I'd find myself wanting to answer from my personal feelings/experience, rather than selecting the answer I knew they (PMI) were looking for.

And, of course, in scoring my practice exams, if I gave into my desire to voice my opinion (to an inanimate object - the practice exam) rather than answer the way I knew I should, I'd inevitably get the answer wrong and get points off on the practice exam.

Silly, right?

So don't do the same on the CPLP. There will be times when what you know - in your heart of hearts to be true - is not the same as what ASTD is purporting, and you'll *itch* to answer the way you want to answer, rather than give them (ASTD) what they're looking for.

Don't do it!

Check your opinion at the door. :)

If you feel strongly about the topic, then voice your concerns directly to the ASTD Certification Institute - but don't wait until the day of your exam and sabotage yourself!

>> Study Hard, Study Often

Studies show that most people take mini breaks - e.g. stare out the window, let the mind wander, etc. - every 25 minutes or so. After 45 minutes of concentration, most people need to move around a bit.

Incorporate these natural tendencies into your study practices by studying in intervals of 25-40 minutes, followed by breaks of 5-10 minutes.

This approach has been found to be more effective than trying to 'cram' for hours on end.

Additional Tip!

The Night Before Your Exam:

• don't spend all night cramming (it won't help!)
• relax, take a brisk 30 minute walk outside
• have some 'down time' before sleep
• have one last look at your summary sheet before you go to bed
• have a good night's sleep (studies have shown that 8 hours of sleep the night before an exam improves your grade by 25%, especially on multiple-choice tests)

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CPLPCOACH.COM Store Now Open!

Featuring books and Owl Study Packs that can be mixed & matched to suit your personal study plan! http://www.cplpcoach.com/products/index.cfm

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About the Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) Credential

Curious, but don't know much about the CPLP credential?

Read about it here: http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/118.cfm?sd=2
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Upcoming Events

2007 ASTD Leaders Conference (ALC)
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center
Alexandria, VA
October 26-27, 2007
* Pre-conference 10/25

ASTD Chapter Leaders - attend our presentations at this year's ALC!

• Friday, October 26 - "Do-Re-Mi CPLP: Singing Each Note to Support CPLP
  Certification"
• Saturday, October 27 - "Solution Symphony: 75 Chapter Leader Tips in 75
  Minutes"

ALC is free to ASTD Chapter Leaders - register today!
http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/mgcal.cfm?calID=1&caldate=10/25/2007

>>>

Twin Cities ASTD - Regional Conference & Exposition
River Centre - St. Paul, MN
November 13 & 14th, 2007
http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/mgcal.cfm?calID=1&caldate=11/13/2007

** Visit Owl's Ledge LLC in the Exhibit Hall in St. Paul!

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC - The CPLP Certification Experts
http://www.cplpcoach.com/
http://www.cplpstudyprep.com/

New CPLP Work Product Areas of Expertise

Hooray! I'm happy to announce that the ASTD Certification Institute is piloting three (3) new Areas of Expertise for the CPLP credential:

• AOE 3 - Improving Human Performance
• AOE 5 - Facilitating Organizational Change
• AOE 6 - Managing the Learning Function

This is a great relief since many candidates felt like they were submitting 'round pegs in square holes' when attempting to submit in AOEs that really don't relate to what they do on a daily basis.

For example, functional managers scrambling to submit instructional design documents - when that's not something they've done in years...

Now the wait is over!

These Areas of Expertise are available to all Fall/Winter 2007 CPLP Knowledge-based Exam candidates (whose work product submission is due February 2008) - if you act fast!

You must notify the ASTD Certification Institute of your desire to participate in the pilot for one of these AOEs - ASAP. You can do that by sending email to certification@astd.org

So - the question is, what are these work products all about? What types of evidence can be submitted for each?

Here's the short list of examples of the types of evidence you could submit for each:

(Note: Always refer to the ASTD CI Candidate Bulletin for detailed requirements.)

AOE 3 - Improving Human Performance

• Performance plan
• Appraisal system
• Team intervention
• Coaching plan
• Six Sigma program
• Succession plan
• Offsite plan
• Training program
• Workspace/workplace redesign
• Employee Performance Support System (EPSS)

AOE 5- Facilitating Organizational Change - documentation should address:

• Initial contact or the presenting issue
• Assessment/analysis
• Proposal/contract/plan/statement of work (SOW)
• Facilitated action
• Results/measurement

AOE 6 - Managing the Learning Function - evidence is one (1) of the following options:

• OPTION 1: A learning function annual report that you have produced.
• OPTION 2: A project management report of the development of a learning product, such as curriculum or a course.
• OPTION 3: Individual documents that you have produced that are pertinent to managing the learning function or a project within the learning function of your company.

The new Areas of Expertise require responses to the same types of essay-style questions as the others - including eight (8) Core Component Questions and two (2) Follow-On Questions.

The Core Component Questions for each AOE address the four (4) main areas - Project Relationships, Planning, Output, and Outcomes.

We're working on tips, tricks and the inside scoop for how best to submit work product for these new Areas of Expertise! Please contact us if you're participating in these submissions and/or you have something to share!

Good luck to all September/October CPLP exam takers! We'll see you on the other side of Phase I! :-)

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC - The CPLP Certification Experts
http://www.cplpcoach.com/
http://www.cplpstudyprep.com/
http://www.cplpcourses.com/

Announcing - CPLPCOACH.COM

We're happy to announce the launch of CPLPCOACH.COM - the first online community entirely devoted to the CPLP credential!

Who is CPLPCOACH.COM for?
CPLPCOACH.COM is for anyone and everyone with an interest in the Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) credential - from those who are curious, to CPLP candidates, to CPLP certified, and to ASTD Chapter Leaders interested in starting CPLP initiatives in their communities:

• CPLP Curious: You are a learning & performance professional seeking information about the ASTD Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) credential. You would like to understand the marketability of the certification and have some insight into the certification process before registering to become a candidate.
• CPLP Candidate: You are a CPLP candidate studying for the CPLP Knowledge-based Exam and are looking for resources to support your study efforts. You are a CPLP candidate assembling his/her Work Product submission and are looking for resources to help you understand how to assemble your submission packet.
• CPLP Certified: You are CPLP certified and looking for a way to easily track your recertification credits and stay involved in the growing CPLP community.
• ASTD Chapter Leader: You are an ASTD chapter leader looking for CPLP resources that you can use to support those interested in the CPLP in your community.

What CPLP Resources and Features are available on CPLPCOACH.COM?

• Certification tips & tricks from an Expert Panel and other CPLP candidates on the discussion forums.
• CPLP Bookstore - featuring CPLP Study Packs and books by learning & performance industry leaders for CPLP preparation for the CPLP exam.
• Online and printable CPLP study materials - for the CPLP exam and the CPLP work product submission - including puzzles, quizzes, work product examples, etc.
• Insider interviews with and case studies of people who already hold the CPLP credential.
• Downloadable tools and resources that help guide candidates through the certification process.
• Searchable library of articles, tips and insider information on CPLP-related topics.

We are very excited - an honoured! - to continue to support the growing CPLP community!

I look forward to seeing you at CPLPCOACH.COM :-)

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC - The CPLP Experts
http://www.cplpcoach.com/
http://www.cplpstudyprep.com/
http://www.cplpcourses.com/

Why CPLP Candidates Fail the Work Product

The Work Product submission phase of the Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) certification process can be -- in a word -- grueling.

Many candidates perform work with the CPLP criteria in mind so they have appropriate evidence to submit for the Work Product phase.

Many will tell you that this work is some of the best they've done in their careers -- and that they received much deserved praise and high marks on performance reviews for it.

Then they fail the Work Product phase of the CPLP certification process.

Why?

• As odd as it sounds, candidates often fail not because of a criticism of their work (their evidence and the work they did could be just fine) -- but because they failed to meet the criteria when answering questions *about* their work.

Think of it this way - you, as a CPLP candidate and the person who performed the work, know everything about why you did what you did (who you worked with, why you picked the approach you did, how you evaluated, etc). You have full memories of doing the actual work and have full appreciation of how hard the work was to do and how well the work was received.

The raters - the people evaluating your work product - only have as much of this information as you are able to effectively share when completing the forms that accompany your evidence.

They don't know who you are, anything about your organization, and only have limited insight into the work you've done. In order for them to appreciate what you did and how good it is -- you have to tell them.

Some candidates fail the work product NOT because their work isn't good -- but because they did not answer questions about their work to the raters' satisfaction.

• Incorrect evidence submitted as work product.

Measurement & Evaluation candidates listen up -- this is an *automatic failure* - submitting an assessment about anything other than an actual learning event.

Yes -- we, as workplace learning & performance professionals conduct assessments all the time to figure out if training is the appropriate intervention.

Submitting an assessment on whether or not training is the appropriate intervention will cause you to fail the Work Product submission phase.

The rules state that your work product (evidence) MUST be an assessment/evaluation of an actual learning event.

When it comes to evidence, for each of the Areas of Expertise (AOEs), the rules are very specific as to the types of evidence you can submit for each and the nature of the project.

For example, if you're submitting for Designing Learning all of your materials must be in hardcopy -- no digital media will be accepted. That means if you used software to conduct your instructional design, or your final output was a Web-based course, etc. -- the evidence you provide MUST be submitted on paper. Not disk. Not online. Not in any electronic format.

This is another area where people fail -- not because their work isn't any good - but because they didn't follow the directions.

• Solely using personal experience to answer a follow-on question, instead of answering the actual question.

There's a difference -- if you receive a follow-on question that reminds you of something that happened to you, then keep that experience in mind, but make sure you answer the actual question. DON'T answer the question by describing what happened to you in real life -- that's NOT the answer the raters are looking for.

Draw on your experiences, yes -- but don't answer the question by solely describing your experiences.

Think of the question as a new event -- similar to something that happened in the past -- but a new situation unto itself with its own specifics and variables.

• Ego. Answering follow-on questions by listing your credentials and making the case for why you're qualified to answer the question.

That's not the point. The point is -- the follow-on question presents a given situation. Your answer should be -- specifically -- how you would respond in that situation.

Why you're qualified to do so is irrelevant.

>>>>> As I said at the beginning of this post, this can be a grueling phase. Definitely tougher than the CPLP Knowledge-based Exam -- and certainly far more personal.

It's extremely difficult to put something you've invested so much time and effort into a manilla envelope and mail it off for evaluation. It's like sending a piece of yourself into the unknown universe.

Just keep in mind -- the work you did, the resulting evidence you provide, only meets part of the expectation. The other parts include following directions to a 'T' and being able to clearly respond to the questions about your work on the attendant submission forms.

So make sure -- make absolutely sure -- that you use the same due diligence in these other parts as you did in creating your work product.

Tip! Have someone else -- someone unfamiliar with your work -- review your packet for you. They could help you identify gaps -- point out any areas where they're not clear on your response(s).

August 30th is fast approaching - best wishes to all of you!

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

Work Product Submission Tips - June 2007

Greetings from ASTD ICE in Atlanta, GA!

If you're here in Atlanta and want to meet -- drop me an email and just let me know!

I plan on attending tonight's (Sunday) Welcome Reception, as well as Tuesday's ASTD Celebration at the Georgia Aquarium!

Congratulations to those who have recently sat & passed the CPLP Knowledge-based Exam!

Now it's time to start thinking about your work product submission. :-)

One thing is for sure - start early.

Those of us who have completed the Work Product submission phase of the CPLP aren't kidding -- the work product submission is most definitely the more difficult of the two phases.

30-40 hours prep time - minimum - just to answer the questions, complete the forms, and compile your submission. That's in addition to whatever work you did to produce your evidence in the first place.

Here's what you need to do:

All CPLP candidates regardless of AOE - start working with the work product submission forms found in the Candidate Bulletin on the ASTD Certification Institute Web site.

Tip! Check again for new forms as we get farther along into summer. You want to make sure you use the latest & greatest forms for submitting on August 30th!

Tips for Delivering Training:

• You must have at least 6 participants in your classroom or online event.


• The participants must be shown - at least once - on your recording. If you're holding an online learning event via Webinar, make sure the participants are shown 'on screen' (not their physical images, but their sign-on IDs).


• You will need the signatures of all participants.


• 20 minutes is 20 minutes -- that's the max your recording can be. Don't sweat slightly over or slightly under -- but keep in mind that a 30 minute recording will not be watched to the end. The evaluators will stop just after the 20 minute mark.


• You cannot edit the recording. You can, however, turn the camera on & off during the learning event. You want those 20 minutes to capture ALL of the criteria listed in the work product submission forms for Delivering Training.


• You can host a learning event with the intent of recording it. The rules are -- it must be an actual learning event and the participants must be real learners. Many CPLP candidates have held learning events for their community, church, etc. with the intent of recording it for submission.

Measuring & Evaluating Tips:

• The submission MUST be an evaluation of a learning event. It cannot be a submission of an evaluation on whether or not training is the appropriate intervention.

Designing Learning Tips:

• Evidence must be from a 90 minute (or slightly less) learning event. You can extract 90 minutes from a longer learning event (e.g. a 3 day course).


• Submissions must be in hardcopy only. If you use a tool to design learning (e.g. Designer's Edge) you must printout the material. Hardcopy only -- for ALL of your evidence.


• The learning event can be ILT or technology-based. Keep this in mind -- the evaluators will not see your entire course. This is about how you designed it - less so about what the finished course was.

For all candidates:

• Follow the ASTD Certification Institute instructions to a 'T.' Regardless of how good your work is, you must meet the criteria in order to pass this phase.


• Make sure you follow the ASTD CI packaging requirements. There's a specific way you need to organize your submission into manilla envelopes for submission.


• Work product map (especially!) - make it as easy as possible for the raters to find what they're looking for (e.g. Design Document, pg 10). That doesn't mean get silly with page tags and highlighters -- the rule is, what they're looking for should be easily found on the page / area you direct them to.

How work product is evaluated:

• Think about how your submission will be evaluated. It will be rated by 6 different individuals.


• They will not discuss your work product with each other -- they'll submit their scores independently.


• Each rater only see pieces of your submission. The ONE thing all raters see is what you answered for your Project Description and Project Context. Everything else in your submission gets separated out. Your evidence goes with specific forms to 2 raters. Follow-on Question # 1 goes with the Project Description and Project Context to another pair of raters. Follow-on Question # 2 goes with the Project Description and Project Context to yet another pair of raters.

Need more?

You can spend hours of your time (or just a few minutes!) watching me blather on about the work product in this online video - thanks to the Twin Cities Chapter, ASTD -- http://www.astd-tcc.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=76

You can also check out the CPLP Yahoo! Group and interact with your peers -- ask questions, share information, etc. The group was started by CPLP candidates back in 2005 and many of them still monitor the group to lend a helping hand:
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/FloridaCPLP/

Contact your local ASTD chapter! Lots of chapters are providing resources to area CPLP candidates to help them along: http://www.astd.org/astd/membership/local_chapters

A shout out to the Metro Washington D.C. chapter - who's hosting a conference based on the ASTD Competency Model this September: http://www.dcastdconference.org/

I will be presenting back-to-back sessions on the CPLP the morning of September 7th in McLean, VA.

And a shout out to my own chapter - the Chicagoland Chapter, ASTD (CCASTD) - where I'm facilitiating a half day CPLP workshop on September 29th in Schaumburg, IL.

Congratulations again to those who have passed the exam! You're well on your way!

This is a challenging process -- as it should be -- I hope you take some time out to enjoy the ride!

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC - The CPLP Experts!
www.cplpstudyprep.com
http://www.cplpcourses.com/

Microsoft Office: 90 Tips in 90 Minutes

Okay -- this doesn't have much to do with the CPLP -- (other than, perhaps, helping you figure out how to work with MS Word to complete the work product submission forms!) -- but it's a significant area event.

For the first time -- ever! -- these professional development associations are working together to deliver a program.

Sure - I have a bias -- as the CCASTD Director of Technology, I'm the organizer. (Some would say instigator!) :)

The following Chicago chapters of area non-profit professional development associations have partnered together to bring you - "Microsoft Office: 90 Tips in 90 Minutes":

• Project Management Institute (www.pmi-chicagoland.org)
• Society for Technical Communication (www.stc-chicago.org)
• International Society for Performance Improvement (www.cispi.com)
• American Society for Training and Development (www.ccastd.org)

When/Where: Thursday, May 31, 2007 - Tellabs 1415 W Diehl Rd, Naperville, IL 60563

Microsoft Office expert Chris Bertelson will share insider tips and tricks for using Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and OneNote.

Chris has a unique and energetic delivery style that makes his information-packed sessions fun and memorable.

Pick one! Three 90-minute sessions are available at (all times CDT):

• 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
• 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Registration & reception start at least a half hour before each presentation. Reception sponsored by The CARA Group. Come mingle with your peers and enjoy complimentary snacks & beverages!

Please visit a partner organization Web site for details & registration. Registration closes EOB Tuesday, May 29th. Due to building security -- no walk-ins allowed.

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC - The CPLP Experts
www.cplpstudyprep.com
www.cplpcourses.com

CPLP Discussion Panel - May 23rd 2007

Just a quick note for those in & around the Chicagoland area:

CCASTD is hosting a CPLP Discussion Panel at Harris Bank in Buffalo Grove, IL this coming Wednesday evening - May 23rd 2007 - from 5:15pm to 8:00pm.

This event features area CPLP certified (including me!) & CPLP candidates discussing their experiences with the CPLP program. They'll answer questions, such as:

• What motivated you to pursue the CPLP certification?
• How relevant is the CPLP certification to you and your job?
• What do you see as the future of the CPLP certification process?
• What advice do you have for others who are considering pursuing the CPLP?

This event is moderated by Ken Phillips - of Ken Phillips & Associates -- one of the original CPLP Pilot participants.

I hope to see you there!

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

CPLP Knowledge-Based Exam Strategies

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

The exam is timed. Time is tracked and displayed by the computer system. Candidates must complete the exam within the allotted time.

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!

Click here to visit the ASTD Certification Institute site to view example test questions. (Note: This link opens a Word document in the browser.)

Looking for practice questions with a bit of remediation?

Click here to checkout the Owl's Ledge sample practice exam.

If you're looking for something more robust, click here to checkout the full set of Owl's Ledge online practice exams - 120+ questions!

Prep early, prep often -- the penalty for failing the exam is a $350 re-test fee to sit the exam again.

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.


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


• Read through all of the answers first, then select the best one. Tip! Read the answer choices from bottom to top to slow yourself down and give yourself a chance to consider all answers before selecting one.
  
• Look for verbal associations. A response that repeats key words that are in the stem is likely to be correct.

Also keep in mind - you can mark questions and return to them later. This way, you can temporarily skip over questions you don't immediately know the answer to -- and return to them later.

Finally -- Practice Practice Practice. Not just practice in studying the material, but practice sitting in front of a computer screen for long periods of time. You're going to be in that exam center for a while -- so get your body acclimated to that kind of environment before you sit the exam.

(I know, I know -- some of us are already all too familiar with this!)

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
www.cplpcourses.com

Greetings from the CSTD National Learning Symposium in Montreal!

Bienvenue!

Here's what I love about the CPLP and the 2004 ASTD Competency Model the credential is based on -- it has real world value because it has real world use.

Two years ago, when I got involved with the CPLP program, I questioned the integration of 9 areas of expertise. Afterall, what does stand-up instruction have to do with career paths and talent management?

Tools and techniques - various methodologies and adult education theory - is anyone really using instruments like the Herrmann Brain Dominance Index (HBDI)? Or approaches like Appreciative Inquiry? And, aside from the Army, who's really using Action Research?

All interesting to study, but impractical to apply - right?

And, really, what does it have to do with me and my work as a practitioner in learning & performance?

Fast forward two years, and I've learned a lot. These are strategies for real world use and they do have practical applications across the broad spectrum that is our industry - from instructional designers to talent managers and all disciplines in between.

Here's an example: Cirque du Soleil

I'm blogging from my hotel room on Peel St in Montreal, just down the way from the McGill Executive Institute where the CSTD National Learning Symposium is being held.

The sold-out symposium kicked off yesterday with an opening keynote delivered by Sylvie Geneau, Assistant Vice President, Casting & Performance and France Dufresne, Director, Organizational Development & Training from Cirque du Soleil.

Sylvie and France have spent the past four years building a leadership program at Cirque du Soleil - a program that acknowledges and embraces the duality that is Cirque -- addressing the needs of the very structured business side and the very informal creative side.

The challenge - protecting Cirque du Soleil's identity and providing consistent leadership development to its managerial team - worldwide, given:

• 3,000+ employees worldwide


• 44 nationalities


• 28 spoken languages


• Over 360 performances a year

Also given:

• In high growth, more than half of Cirque's management positions were filled from the outside. Everyone had their own way of doing things.


• 25% of Cirque are artists who do not work with business processes


• Most people come from outside industries that are much different than Cirque, and it takes a while to acclimate to Cirque's unique culture.


• Differences in schedules, pace, attitudes of people who work in the head office, those touring on the road, and those working resident shows.

The solution - using HBDI and an Appreciative Inquiry approach, Sylvie and France were able to develop a communication strategy and leadership framework that allows people - from across the broad spectrum of talents that comprise Cirque - to relate to the company's values and visualize their role as leaders.

Techniques used - storytelling, informal learning

Cultural differences are acknowledged and embraced - the leadership framework is not one size fits all.

There's more to the story - and I'm excited to share it! - but I'm late as it is to the opening keynote for the second day of the symposium.

My point here is -- the Competency Model is real. It's not just a bunch of material to study to pass the CPLP knowledge-based exam.

There's some good stuff there for those who can use a little imagination in how they, as practitioners, can apply it.

Which makes the CPLP - as a reflection of one's ability to understand and synthesize these disciplines - all the more worthwhile!

Congratulations to the newly certified!

http://www.astd.org/astd/cplp/new_cert_pro.htm

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

Work Product Submission Tips

Greetings from ASTD ICE in Atlanta, GA!

If you're here in Atlanta and want to meet -- drop me an email and just let me know!

I plan on attending tonight's (Sunday) Welcome Reception, as well as Tuesday's ASTD Celebration at the Georgia Aquarium!

Congratulations to those who have recently sat & passed the CPLP Knowledge-based Exam!

Now it's time to start thinking about your work product submission. :-)

One thing is for sure - start early.

Those of us who have completed the Work Product submission phase of the CPLP aren't kidding -- the work product submission is most definitely the more difficult of the two phases.

30-40 hours prep time - minimum - just to answer the questions, complete the forms, and compile your submission. That's in addition to whatever work you did to produce your evidence in the first place.

Here's what you need to do:

All CPLP candidates regardless of AOE - start working with the work product submission forms found in the Candidate Bulletin on the ASTD Certification Institute Web site.

Tip! Check again for new forms as we get farther along into summer. You want to make sure you use the latest & greatest forms for submitting on August 30th!

Tips for Delivering Training:

• You must have at least 6 participants in your classroom or online event.


• The participants must be shown - at least once - on your recording. If you're holding an online learning event via Webinar, make sure the participants are shown 'on screen' (not their physical images, but their sign-on IDs).


• You will need the signatures of all participants.


• 20 minutes is 20 minutes -- that's the max your recording can be. Don't sweat slightly over or slightly under -- but keep in mind that a 30 minute recording will not be watched to the end. The evaluators will stop just after the 20 minute mark.


• You cannot edit the recording. You can, however, turn the camera on & off during the learning event. You want those 20 minutes to capture ALL of the criteria listed in the work product submission forms for Delivering Training.


• You can host a learning event with the intent of recording it. The rules are -- it must be an actual learning event and the participants must be real learners. Many CPLP candidates have held learning events for their community, church, etc. with the intent of recording it for submission.

Measuring & Evaluating Tips:

• The submission MUST be an evaluation of a learning event. It cannot be a submission of an evaluation on whether or not training is the appropriate intervention.

Designing Learning Tips:

• Evidence must be from a 90 minute (or slightly less) learning event. You can extract 90 minutes from a longer learning event (e.g. a 3 day course).


• Submissions must be in hardcopy only. If you use a tool to design learning (e.g. Designer's Edge) you must printout the material. Hardcopy only -- for ALL of your evidence.


• The learning event can be ILT or technology-based. Keep this in mind -- the evaluators will not see your entire course. This is about how you designed it - less so about what the finished course was.

For all candidates:

• Follow the ASTD Certification Institute instructions to a 'T.' Regardless of how good your work is, you must meet the criteria in order to pass this phase.


• Make sure you follow the ASTD CI packaging requirements. There's a specific way you need to organize your submission into manilla envelopes for submission.


• Work product map (especially!) - make it as easy as possible for the raters to find what they're looking for (e.g. Design Document, pg 10). That doesn't mean get silly with page tags and highlighters -- the rule is, what they're looking for should be easily found on the page / area you direct them to.

How work product is evaluated:

• Think about how your submission will be evaluated. It will be rated by 6 different individuals.


• They will not discuss your work product with each other -- they'll submit their scores independently.


• Each rater only see pieces of your submission. The ONE thing all raters see is what you answered for your Project Description and Project Context. Everything else in your submission gets separated out. Your evidence goes with specific forms to 2 raters. Follow-on Question # 1 goes with the Project Description and Project Context to another pair of raters. Follow-on Question # 2 goes with the Project Description and Project Context to yet another pair of raters.

Need more?

You can spend hours of your time (or just a few minutes!) watching me blather on about the work product in this online video - thanks to the Twin Cities Chapter, ASTD -- http://www.astd-tcc.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=76

You can also check out the CPLP Yahoo! Group and interact with your peers -- ask questions, share information, etc. The group was started by CPLP candidates back in 2005 and many of them still monitor the group to lend a helping hand:
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/FloridaCPLP/

Contact your local ASTD chapter! Lots of chapters are providing resources to area CPLP candidates to help them along: http://www.astd.org/astd/membership/local_chapters

A shout out to the Metro Washington D.C. chapter - who's hosting a conference based on the ASTD Competency Model this September: http://www.dcastdconference.org/

I will be presenting back-to-back sessions on the CPLP the morning of September 7th in McLean, VA.

And a shout out to my own chapter - the Chicagoland Chapter, ASTD (CCASTD) - where I'm facilitiating a half day CPLP workshop on September 29th in Schaumburg, IL.

Congratulations again to those who have passed the exam! You're well on your way!

This is a challenging process -- as it should be -- I hope you take some time out to enjoy the ride!

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC - The CPLP Experts!
www.cplpstudyprep.com
www.cplpcourses.com

Case Studies, Boot Camps & Job Listings

Busy, busy!

The CPLP -- what's in it for you?

We spoke with CPLPs from all over the country - from many different backgrounds and industries -- to ask them about their experiences since they obtained their CPLP credential.

To find out -- what's in it for them? How does having the credential compare with their expectations at the start of the program?

Stay tuned in early March for a write-up of these case studies on http://www.cplpcourses.com

2007 CPLP Boot Camps
These half day workshops are designed for CPLP candidates as well as the CPLP curious - and they're coming to a chapter near you!

• April 20th, 2007 - Chicagoland Chapter, ASTD - www.ccastd.org
• September 6th, 2007 - Washington D.C. Chapter, ASTD - www.dcastd.org
• September 29th, 2007 - Chicagoland Chapter, ASTD - www.ccastd.org

Visit the individual chapter Web sites for workshop outlines and registration details.

Not ready for a workshop? Checkout:

• March 13th, 2007 - Alphabet Soup: What it Means to be CPLP - Ft Lauderdale Chapter, ASTD - www.astdftl.org
• May 2007 - CPLP Panel of Experts - Chicagoland Chapter, ASTD - www.ccastd.org

Central Indiana! Study groups are forming! Contact the CIASTD VP of Workplace Learning and Certification at certification@ciastd.com

CPLP Preferred Job Postings

How popular is the CPLP? The following organizations are looking for people with the credential...

• Site Technical Training Spec - Pfizer - Terre Haute, IN
• Technologist (CPT) or Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) certification is desired. Throughout our 153 years, a legacy of caring for...
• Training and Development Mgr - The Shaw Group -
• US-related T&D effort, Knowledgeable and experienced in succession, HPI, and ADDlE; CPLP certification or equivalent and successful applications for training and...
• Senior Manager, Learning and Development - ZLB Plasma - Boca Raton, FL Goals, while satisfying the tactical needs of the organization. ASTD Membership preferred Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP ) preferred
• Learning and Development FacilitatorBarnes Distribution - Seattle, WA
• No phone calls please. NOTES: Telecommuting is allowed Requirements See Job Description Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP ) preferred
• VP of Levitt UniversityLevitt & Sons - Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Instructional Designer Levitt University Administrator ASTD Membership preferred Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP ) preferred

Looking for more? Find the latest job listings - from job boards around the world on our CPLP Courses - Online! Web site at www.cplpcourses.com

March 1st - Coming Up Fast!

Have you finished your work product submission??

CPLP Courses - Online! - Launches

Owl's Ledge LLC is proud to announce the launch of new products & services at CPLP Courses - Online!

CPLP Courses - Online! provides free and fee-based online courses for Certified Professionals in Learning & Performance (CPLP) candidates, current CPLPs, and the CPLP curious.

In addition to online courses related to the CPLP, CPLP Courses - Online! gives you:

• a listing of CPLP-related events happening at local ASTD chapters around the U.S.
• CPLP-related job listings from around the world
• information on CPLP study groups sponsored by local ASTD chapters
• an overview of what the Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) credential is all about
• information and resources related to maintaining certification (coming soon!)
• a place for CPLPs, CPLP candidates, and the CPLP curious to discuss exam study approaches, work product submission tactics, find a study buddy, and share experiences - visit the CPLP Courses - Online! discussion boards

Whether you're studying for the exam, sweating over your work product submission, looking for resources for maintaining your certification, or curious as to what the CPLP is all about, CPLP Courses - Online! is the Web site for you!

Visit the new site today at: http://www.cplpcourses.com

Happy studying! :-)

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

Submitted February 4th, 2007 at 12:06pm Central (GO COLTS!!)