Flexible Professional Development for Busy Career and HR Management Specialists

1. 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

2. 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

3. The Unregulated World of Certifications and CEUs

4. 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

5. 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

6. The Impact of A Knowledge Economy

7. 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?

8. Defining Challenges Role Conflicts: Fitting in the Role of “Learner”

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. e-Learning

13. 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

14. e-Learning Formats Self-study Interactive CD-ROM Interactive website Facilitated online learning Synchronous Asynchronous Mixed-mode / Blended Combined different modes of instruction

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. e-Learning Readiness • Previous experience with • e-Learning • Navigating online • Using e-mail • Technology • Organization and time management • Communication preferences • Internet access

19. 10 Tips for Thriving in the Virtual World of e-Learning • Choose wisely • Access a good computer and reliable high speed Internet • Plan ahead • Allocate specific time to e-learning • Don’t over commit • Organize your study space, both physical and computer • Clarify expectations • Ask for what you need • Maximize “lost time” – identify 5 minute tasks • Print selectively

20. e-Learning Opportunities

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. Questions