Training Magazine's Top 40 Under 40 Young Trainer Awards

Training magazine released the results of their second annual Top 40 Under 40 Young Trainer Award in San Diego earlier this month:

http://adjix.com/eew3

Recipients - including yours truly! - are listed in alphabetical order on the site.

You can also find the full listing and article in the May 2009 issue of Training magazine.

Submissions are peer nominated. What an honour to be recognized by my peers!

Driving toward...

* Transformation * Globalization * Innovation * Strategic Enablement *

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

Email: trishuhl@owls-ledge.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/trishuhl

Twitter:

@trishuhl
@cplpcoach

2009 ASTD International Conference & Exposition (ASTD ICE)

I've been on the road for the past couple of weeks, working hard but enjoying my travels immensely.

I've spent most of my time meeting and collaborating with learning & performance professionals from all over the world, including participating as a member of the planning committee for the 2009 ASTD International Conference & Exposition (ASTD ICE).

What a blast!

The committee's primary purpose is to construct the educational tracks for the conference. That means we spent quite a lot of time reviewing speaker proposals and discussing the types of educational opportunities that have worked (or not worked) at the conference in the past.

From there, we worked long hours in a training room to lay out the conference tracks and session formats.

We also spent quite a bit of time brainstorming ideas for keynote speakers and had a lot of conversation around our ideas for improving the ASTD ICE conference booklet - especially for folks visiting from outside the USA.

I am sworn to secrecy - can't say much! - but there are definite changes to some of the session delivery methods.

I'm really happy with the results - and am hoping (of course!) that ASTD ICE attendees are happy with them too!

Participation on the planning committee is a two (2) year run - which means my freshman year is this one - planning the 2009 ASTD ICE event for Washington D.C.

My senior year - graduation! - will be in planning the 2010 ASTD ICE event for home sweet home Chicago. :-)

So - please feel free to comment below - or send me an email - if you have something to share about your experiences at past ASTD ICE events or ideas for the future. I would love to hear from you!

Just a quick shout-out to my committee member peers - thanks, all, for sharing your insights, experiences, and for your continued support.

I really can't accurately articulate how much this community means to me - both professionally and personally.

Cheers!

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

CPLP - Three Years Forward

It's three years forward since I first got involved with the Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) program - back in 2005 when the CPLP Pilot kicked off in late March, just after my birthday.

I sat the first ever CPLP knowledge-based exam in June 2005.

It was a busy, hectic year - I spent the spring participating in the pilot of a brand new professional certification and then spent the late summer/early fall getting married in Vancouver and honeymooning in Alaska.

People who know me - folks who were part of that original North American study group can tell you about the long conference calls and late nights agonizing over the program requirements and the high anxiety about the exam.

My husband could tell you about the time I spent on our honeymoon - from the suite in Vancouver, to the cruise ship sailing the Inside Passage, to snagging Internet and cell access in fits & starts during the land tour - in an effort to stay in touch with the frantic Pilot candidates who sat the exam in September 2005.

Yes, I am passionate about the CPLP - because of the competency model and the dedicated professionals it represents.

But that isn't the point.

The point here is that my husband was a patient man who supported my efforts with the CPLP from the very start. Not only supported them, but worked hard on elements of the Owl's Ledge materials as well - from proofing exam questions, to researching references and resources, to making me laugh when I wanted to sit down and put my head in my hands.

My heart breaks to say that my husband, Brian Haltom, passed away in early June this year.

Since then, I've been struggling with how to get going again.

Brian's illness and passing are the reasons I haven't written - either blog posts or CPLPCOACH.com Tips of the Week.

I've struggled with what to say - do I even say anything at all?

After weeks of turning it over in my head, yes, yes - I feel the need to speak on it.

So here I am - decision made - this is where I need to start.

If Brian were here, he'd smile and shake his head, and wander off to fix us each a cup of hot tea - knowing that I won't surface from my laptop again for at least a couple of hours...

So, to all of you, thank you - THANK YOU - the outpouring of support from the CPLP community worldwide has been inspiring and humbling. I am so very, very thankful for your kind words, positive energy, and good thoughts.

It is this sense of community - all of you who I have had the honour of meeting - that keeps me on this path - writing and exploring all things CPLP.

To those of you who are struggling, who may have entered the CPLP program and found that other elements of life have invaded - that your priorities have changed - honour them.

Honour yourself.

The program will be here - as will the growing CPLP community - when you are ready again to forge ahead.

Many, many good thoughts from me & mine to you & yours on this absolutely gorgeous day in Chicago.

I will see you all soon - here in this blog and at CPLPCOACH.com with new tips, articles, and videos.

Take good care -

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP

Owl's Ledge LLC

http://www.cplpcoach.com/

Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) - The Fundamentals

Lots of people ask me for fundamental information regarding the ASTD CPLP credentialing program - the Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP).

Here are the highlights:

Who administers the CPLP?
The Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) credential is administered by the ASTD Certification Institute – a separate legal entity from ASTD.

The official site for the credential is:

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

Where can I find official credentialing program details & policies?
Details of the credentialing program & policies can be found under the CPLP Bulletin link (menu on left of the site). Matter of fact, if you check out Appendix C of Bulletin PDF file, you’ll find a complete listing of all exam objectives (essentially, all of the subject matter covered on the multiple choice exam).

What does the CPLP measure?
The CPLP measures a candidate's competence in nine (9) Areas of Expertise, including:

• Designing Learning
• Delivering Training
• Human Performance Improvement
• Measuring & Evaluating
• Facilitating Organizational Change
• Managing the Learning Function
• Coaching
• Managing Organizational Knowledge
• Career Planning & Talent Management

These Areas of Expertise are based on the nine (9) Areas of Expertise found in the 2004 ASTD Competency Model:

http://www.astd.org/content/research/competencyStudy.htm

What's involved with the CPLP certification process?
The certification process is divided into two phases:

• Phase I: CPLP Knowledge-based Exam (150 question multiple choice exam);pass that and move on to
• Phase II: CPLP Work Product submission (submission of work samples and lots of narrative describing how you produced them).

How old is the CPLP? and who has it?

The CPLP has been operational for 2 years (it's 3 years old, if you count the 2005 Pilot). The credential is currently held by 543 people worldwide.

CPLPs vary widely across the learning & performance spectrum; it’s held by – OD professionals, HPI practitioners, instructional designers, stand-up facilitators, professional coaches, etc.

CPLPs can also be found in a wide variety of industries – legal, finance, manufacturing, luxury brands/beauty, insurance, health, telecom, retail, academic, etc.

What are the eligibility requirements?

You must meet eligibility requirements (3 years industry experience) to apply for candidacy. Please see the official ASTD Certification Institute Web site for more specific details: http://www.cplp.astd.org/

What are the CPLP registration fees?
Current candidate registration fees are: $750 (ASTD member) $950 (ASTD non-member)

My understanding is that ASTD is increasing the registration fees in June 2008.

Your registration fee covers your entry into the program; ASTD does not provide any study materials as part of registration.

What study materials are available?

ASTD sells some study materials (for the exam only) including the ASTD Learning System (9 volume set based on the Competency Model), ASTD Learning System Flash Cards, 2 day prep workshop, and pCPLP (online practice exam). Check the ASTD Web site – http://www.astd.org/ – for pricing.

My company – Owl’s Ledge – provides support services as well – study preparation materials, coaching, facilitated workshops, etc.

http://www.cplpcoach.com/

Our subscription site – CPLPCOACH.com – contains a host of study materials, including online video, practice exams, etc.

Does Owl's Ledge provide practice exams?

Yes - we have a series of CPLP practice exams - with roots going back 3 years to the pilot! - available through our CPLPCOACH.com subscription Web site. Unlimited access to the exams (and other materials) is available as part of the subscription fees.

Are coaching services available for assistance with the Work Product Submission?

Owl's Ledge also provides coaching services for the Work Product Submission phase. Send me an email if you're interested in learning more: trish@cplpstudyprep.com

You’ll even find a place to sign up for free tips of the week on the homepage of the CPLPCOACH.com site.

Are there any CPLP prep facilitated workshops?
We also partner with local ASTD chapters to offer CPLP prep workshops (known as the Boot Camp) around the country.

You'll find me facilitating a CPLP Boot Camp in September 2008 for the Chicagoland Chapter, ASTD:

http://www.ccastd.org/events.html#0913

And I’m also in the process of scheduling a workshop in Los Angeles in early October.

How much study time does the credentialing process require?

From a studying perspective, we recommend a minimum of 10-12 weeks (1-2 hours of study per week) to prepare for the CPLP Knowledge-based Exam.

For the Work Product Submission phase, we recommend a minimum of 30 hours to assemble your work product submission packet - that's above & beyond the time that you spent to do the initial project work in the first place.

Mileage may vary - these are estimates only. It all depends on how you study and the time you, personally, require to prepare.

How fast can I become certified? How long does the process take?

It depends on when you sit the exam and when you submit work product (you can't do either at any time; there are specific dates you have to meet).

Candidates who enter the program and successfully complete the work - on time, on track - and pass both phases of the process! - can become certified within 4 to 7 months.

Please feel free to post comments below if you have any questions, comments, or observations!

I'm off to sing a happy happy MY TAXES ARE FILED - YAY! song...

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

Using the SQ3R Method to Study for the CPLP

*****************************************************************
ANNOUNCEMENT - Job Ad with CPLP REQUIRED!
*****************************************************************
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

===================================================================
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!
===============================================================
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)

===============================================================
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

================================================================
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
===============================================================

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/

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

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

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!!)