ELW Day 1: Celebrating ASTD Employee Learning Week!

Celebrating ASTD Employee Learning Week - Day 1!

What is Employee Learning Week (ELW)?

Established by the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), and celebrated annually during the first week of December, Employee Learning Week aims to raise awareness about the direct correlation between learning and organizations achieving their strategic goals. 

As Tony Bingham, ASTD President and CEO, observed, “Increasingly business leaders realize that the most important asset in our knowledge economy is talent, and a skilled workforce is key to realizing results. We encourage all organizations to demonstrate their commitment to learning by recognizing Employee Learning Week.”

State of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel have taken this message to heart and officially proclaimed December 2-6, 2013 Employee Learning Week!

ASTD Employee Learning Week - Proclamation from Governor Quinn, State of Illinois

SHOUT OUT to Sarah Jeffcoat and the team at Heart of Illinois ASTD (HOI ASTD) for securing Governor Quinn's proclamation for the State of Illinois and to Katelind Hays and the team at the Chicagoland Chapter ASTD (CCASTD) for securing Mayor Emanuel's proclamation in Chicago!

ASTD Employee Learning Week- Proclamation from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel

LOTS of FABULOUS events taking place this week around the US and around the world as ASTD local chapters and global networks CELEBRATE!

Join the fun at the CCASTD Holiday Party scheduled for Thursday, December 5th at the Hyatt Lodge on campus at McDonald's Corporate Headquarters in Oak Brook where CCASTD will announce the 2013 winner of the Dr. Deborah Colky Workplace Learning & Performance Student Award (including a $1,000.00 scholarship!) and present its 2013 Volunteer of the Year Award!

Jump in on CREATIVITY at the Heart of Illinois ASTD (HOI ASTD) Employee Learning Conference "Think Differently" Friday, December 6th at the Professional Development Institute in Peoria, IL.

Here at Owl's Ledge we'll also CELEBRATE Employee Learning Week and all things learning by listing additional resources and opportunities for you to attend to your own professional development and focus on improving your performance!

Stay tuned for more - all week long!

To your success!

~ trish

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
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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/

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