Flexible Professional Development for Busy Career and HR Management Specialists

Presented by:Roberta Neault, PhD, CCC, RRP

Krista Maydew, MA, GCDF Life Strategies Ltd.

www.lifestrategies.ca / info@lifestrategies.ca

Overview Introductions / Goals The Unregulated World of Certifications and

CEUs The Impact of a Knowledge Economy Role Conflicts: Fitting in the Role of “Learner” e-Learning

An Overview 10 Tips for Thriving in the Virtual World of e-Learning

e-Learning Opportunities Questions and Answers / CEU Verification

Forms

The Unregulated World of Certifications and CEUs

The Unregulated World of Certification and CEUs

Unregulated professions Self-regulated professions Certification Continuing Education Units (CEUs) The Agreement on Internal Trade

(AIT) “In January 2009, Canada's premiers agreed to amend

the AIT to remove labour mobility barriers for certified workers so they will be able to move freely to work where opportunities exist.” http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/labourmobility/ait.html

The Ethics of Lifelong Learning

Canadian Standards and Guidelines 1.b. - Self-Improvement

Canadian Council of Human Resource Associations

Code of Ethics #8 - Professional Growth Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy

Association Code of Ethics C1 - General Responsibility

In the information society, lifelong learning has become the rule...

Better professional training would enhance worker employability and

upgrade the general skill level of the workforce~Committee on Economic Affairs and Development

The Impact of A Knowledge Economy

The Impact of a Knowledge Economy

1977 – “I’m finished school” 2010 – “Tracking CEUs” What’s your experience? How has the expectation of lifelong

learning impacted you?

Defining Challenges

Role Conflicts: Fitting in the Role of “Learner”

Current Reality Busy lives

A commitment to continuous learning A quest for work-life balance Increased expectations

(internal/external) Role conflict: A juggling act

Need to practice what we preach Adhere to ethical codes Maintain currency

Work/Life Conflict There is no "one size fits all" solution …different

policies, practices and strategies will be needed to reduce each of the five components of work/life conflict Role overload Work to family interference Family to work interference Caregiver strain Negative work to family spillover

~ Health Canada Study, Duxbury & Higgins, 2003

The Challenges Fitting learning into busy lives and

workplaces Accommodating conflicting work/life

demands Accessing specialized topics in diverse

regions Overcoming time and money limitations Sustainability

e-Learning

e-Language Asynchronous

Posting to forums but not in “real time” Synchronous

Chats Webinars

Self-Paced Online or Packages (Print, DVD, or Software)

Mixed Mode Combination of online and classroom-based

Facilitated Instructor-Led

e-Learning Formats Self-study

Interactive CD-ROM Interactive website

Facilitated online learning Synchronous Asynchronous

Mixed-mode / Blended Combined different modes of instruction

Benefits of e-Learning Flexibility

Provide access to education anytime, anywhere!

Minimize role conflict / Maximize work-life balance

Accommodate travel and work/family schedules

Become part of a global community of learners Affordability

Cost effective access to quality instructors Continue working and earning while in school

Enhanced “Essential Skills” Reading Text, Document Use, Writing, Working

with Others, Thinking Skills, and Computer Use Going “Green”

Minimize carbon footprint / no commuting

Who is Learning Online? Students from anywhere in the world with Internet

access From rural communities as well as urban centres

Students who require flexible schedules, due to Family / work responsibilities Travel / relocation Shift work Other training (e.g., competitive athletes)

Students who need accessible learning To accommodate disabilities Due to lack of transportation

Are they techies? Rarely…most are new to e-learning Many are mid-career or older

e-Learners say they value…

The ability to progress rapidly and in a manner that allows practical application

Interactive, very supportive, relaxed environment

A high-quality learning experience that allows students to tailor learning to their needs

A diverse group of students interacting and bringing different skill sets to a discussion

The opportunity to achieve my career goals in the comfort of my home

e-Learning Readiness Previous experience with

e-Learning Navigating online Using e-mail Technology

Organization and time management Communication preferences Internet access

10 Tips for Thriving in the Virtual World of e-Learning

1. Choose wisely 2. Access a good computer and reliable high speed

Internet3. Plan ahead4. Allocate specific time to e-learning5. Don’t over commit 6. Organize your study space, both physical and

computer7. Clarify expectations8. Ask for what you need 9. Maximize “lost time” – identify 5 minute tasks10. Print selectively

e-Learning Opportunities

Mixed-Mode / Blended e-Learning Opportunities

Acadia University MEd: Counselling

Athabasca University Certificate: Career Development / Master of Counselling

Memorial University Med: Counselling Psychology / Certificate: Career

Development Okanagan College

Career Facilitator Certificate Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

MEd: Counselling Psychology / MEd: Adult Education, Specialization in Work and Career

University of British Columbia MEd / MA: Counselling Psychology

University of Victoria MEd / MA: Counselling Psychology

Fully Online e-Learning Opportunities

Conestoga College Certificate Programs Career Development Practitioner / Career Foundations

Yorkville University MA Counselling Psychology

Practicum is face-to-face Continuing Education

Psychometric Assessments Qualification Program

Life Strategies LearnOnline Topical Intros

Basics of EAP (through Sutton Consulting) Blueprint

Professional e-Communities and Networks Certificate Programs (Facilitated e-Learning)

Survivability Personality Dimensions® Career Management Professional (through Yorkville

University) Global Career Development Facilitator Program Modularized specializations

Outplacement, Multicultural, Rehabilitation, Life Skills

Mapped to Canadian Standards and Guidelines Pre-approved for CEUs for GCDF, CCC, RRP

Questions