1 IACET Guidelines
TABLE OF CONTENTS IACET INTRODUCTION... 3 WHAT DOES THE STANDARD MEASURE?...... 3-4 SOLE PROVIDER of IACET CEUs... 5 ESTABLISHING RESPONSIBILITY AND CONTROL... 5-6 AWARDING CEUs... 5 INSTRUCTOR VS. RESPONSIBILITY... 6 CREATE A LEARNING SUPPORT SYSTEM... 6 PERFORMING LEARNING EVENT PLANNING... 6-8 REQUIRED TASKS AND DOCUMENTATION... 6-7 NEEDS IDENTIFICATION/ASSESSMENT... 7-8 LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES... 8 SELECT AND INCLUDE QUALITY PERSONNEL... 8-9 SELECT INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS... 9 INTELECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS... 9 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN RECORDS... 9-11 DEFINITION OF A CEU... 10 DEFINITION OF A CONTACT HOUR... 10 DEFINITION OF A CONTACT... 10 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN RECORDS... 9-11 CALCULATING THE CEU... 10-11 PERFORM PROGRAM EVALUATION... 11 CONCLUSION... 11 2
IACET Introduction The International Erosion Control Association () Region 1, is authorized by the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET) to provide continuing education units (CEUs). IACET is an independent, internationally recognized, non-profit association whose goal is to ensure quality continuing education for professionals. To become a CEU provider, an organization must demonstrate that it designs and develops training in accordance with proven adult education theory and recognized instructional system design (ISD) practices. As part of s strategic plan continuously improve the education process, we are implementing the IACET standards for awarding CEUs. By becoming an IACET CEU provider, we ensure quality in continuing education and training programs and increase the consumer s confidence in our organization to deliver top quality, superior training materials and instruction that achieve a recognized standard. What Does the Standard Measure? The ANSI/IACET Standard measures all aspects of a CE/T provider s program development across ten (10) nationally recognized categories: Continuing Education and Training Organization Responsibility and Control Learning Environment and Support Systems Learning Event Planning Learning Outcomes Planning and Instructional Personnel Content and Instructional Methods Assessment of Learning Outcomes Awarding CEUs and Maintaining Learner Records Program Evaluation The standard categories, as illustrated in the model below, provide organizations with the framework to adhere to quality continuing education and training practices. 3
A systematic approach to identifying and analyzing learning needs, the ANSI/IACET Standard helps CE/T providers: Establish an appropriate responsibility and control system Encourage an analytic approach to identifying and analyzing learning needs Design, plan and execute a quality learning event Establish appropriate assessment criteria based on the learning outcomes Monitor and improve the learning process in order to achieve its objectives The ANSI/IACET Standard also emphasizes the importance of continually reviewing and improving education and training, to ensure the development of quality programs that meet consumer needs. 4
1. Sole Provider of IACET CEUs It is important to understand why and how has become certified to give IACET CEUs. Licensing boards, certifying bodies and regulatory agencies require providers to obtain approval from that agency before the provider s CEU will be recognized. has made those contacts and most professional boards, etc. recognize our CEU s. applied to IACET and after review of our application and a site visit, we became an official provider of IACET CEUs. Only one organizational representative can certify developed courses as being IACET compliant. Organization must have a system to maintain permanent records for seven (7) years. These records must be maintained separately from attendance records and, in most cases, from personnel records. Class participants may request a transcript of earned CEUs and that transcript must be sent to the requestor within 30 days. 2. Establishing Responsibility and Control Awarding CEUs has a system in place to identify participants who meet the requirements for satisfactory completion of training and are qualified to receive CEUs. For a participant to receive CEUs all of the following documents must be completed and received by : Session Roster attendance tracking Course/Instructor Evaluations Student Registration Post Assessment (demonstrated skill/pass/fail) It is the policy of to NOT award partial credit for partial attendance however the participant could receive a certificate of attendance (without CEUs). Successful completion of a training event is based on satisfactory attendance (95% or higher) and passing a course assessment (70% or higher). To receive a record of CEUs, a participant contacts Education or submits their request through the website. All Training records are maintained in an training database. Individual training transcripts will consist of all attended training courses for a minimum of seven years. Training transcripts will be available to the participant no later than 6 weeks from the end of the course. Participants may request a transcript from via the website, e-mail or by telephone. Instructor responsibilities are vital to maintaining control of the content. In an effort to follow the IACET standard, has differentiated the key roles of the instructors and in assuring critical tasks are performed from the submittal process to the conclusion and delivery of a course that been assigned an CEU. The following chart of responsibilities specifies the tasks of and Instructor in the CEU process: 5
Instructor vs. Responsibilities Task CEU Calculation Form Instructor Resume Continued Education Instructor Self Assessment and Abstract Submission CEU: 101, 102 & 103 Learning Environment Check List Room Set Up Diagram Learning Event Design Documents Send Instructor Prep Email Send Learner Prep Email Learning Environment Moderator Check List - on-site Collect and send individual copies of class surveys Send final Class Roster with full contact information & learner participation & test score Send Learner Record with scans in/out Collect, Grade & Send Learner Tests Produce Summary of Class Survey Provide Instructor Evaluation of Class Survey Send Instructor Follow Up Email with Evaluation Link Responsible Party(s) Instructor Instructor & Instructor Instructor Instructor or Instructor or Instructor Instructor Instructor or Instructor or Instructor or 3. Create a Learner Support System is responsible for maintaining course records and transcripts of all CEU classes and for all Learners who take classes or modules that have been assigned a CEU for a period of seven (7) years. is responsible for providing certificates of completion for all CEU courses. maintains the responsibility of communication with all Learners about course content, registration and course location and logistics. 4. Performing Learning Event Planning The CEU process requires accountability from the Instructors and the Providers. The remaining tasks specify who and what is required for a healthy learning environment. Required Tasks and Documentation In order to maintain the standards required by the IACET Standard, requires the submission of specific documentation and specific tasks to comply with and maintain an Approved Provider status. The following are a list of facility and logistics practices: 6 Room has ample space for expected number of participants Room will be set with 2 people per 6 foot table
Restrooms are located near the meeting space Air Conditioning/Heating is in working and the room will be kept at a comfortable temperature with appropriate ventilation All attendees have a clear view of the screen as well as presenter All attendees will be able to hear the presentation with the sound system in place Audio Visual equipment is available: projector, screen, flip charts, microphone, podium, internet, power source On-Site Audio Visual Assistance is available Catering services available to provide coffee, breaks and lunch Water will be provided to participants throughout the day Additional tables/chairs are available upon request Additional requests from instructor have been addressed Additional Notes/Comments regarding space: Needs Identification/Assessment The driver for determine training needs within our organization is based on a comprehensive needs assessment. A needs assessment is the analysis and examination of the existing need for training within an organization. Our assessment performs three distinct functions: (1) identifies necessary practices to comply with technological standards; (2) prioritizes training needs based on members input and regulatory directives; and (3) provides a basis for cost justification. assesses training needs based on the following processes: 1. Member and industry feedback From preceding annual conference evaluations From industry changes identified in periodicals, notifications, and directives From periodic requests - internal communication email posts From PDC review and assessment From regulatory changes 2. Professional Development Committee The PDC is a group of 16 industry professional representing the public and private sector across a variety of professions and skills within the erosion, sediment control and stormwater industries. There is a systematic process used to develop courses based on identified needs. The steps are outlined below: s PDC meets 8 time a year to assess industry issues, address content needs, update dated content, identify subject matter experts and address education concerns within our association. Information gleaned from these meetings are incorporated into a task timeline and staff works to mobilize volunteers to address specific issues and resolve educational needs. Factorsconsidered to development of training content include: Background information about the need for the course Target audience Course outcomes Learning outcomes Resources Criteria by which instructors are selected 7
Assign experts to Faculty, conference instructors, webinar presenters or online content developers 5. Learning Objectives and Learning Outcomes s methodical process of developing and assessing learning outcomes is key to our program effectiveness. Learning Objectives specify the desired skills, knowledge, or performance necessary to demonstrate acquisition of the training material. Learning outcomes support the specific objectives in a training course by demonstrating what the learner should be able to do and at what level of performance. The instructor specifies Learning Objectives and Learning Outcomes in the Course Design Document. Addendum A - Course Design Document All courses submitted to for CEU consideration must have the following support documents, demonstrating compliance with the CEU standard. Before Learning Objectives are determined, all instructors must submit a list of 8 preliminary documents, all provided on s abstract submittal portal. 1. Title. The title of your presentation should be short, creative and accurately describe your presentation. 2. Instructor contact details. 3. Length/Type of Presentation. Indicate the number of hours and contact hours of your course. 4. Level of Expertise of Participant. Basic, intermediate, advanced or all. 5. Target Audience. Who are you targeting with your proposed class. 6. Education Track. has 4 education tracks 1) Erosion/Sediment Control; 2) Surface Water Restoration; 3) Stormwater Management; 4) MS4 Management. 7. Descriptive (Marketing) Paragraph. This paragraph should be 2-4 sentences. It should be concise, descriptive and engaging. 8. Course Abstract. A complete abstract (400-600 words) with detail of the purpose, content and intended outcomes must be submitted to through our web submittal process. 9. Learning Objectives. A minimum of five (5) Learning Objectives must be submitted for each course/module. These objectives must specifically follow the Blooms Taxonomy model, specifically identifying the intended outcomes and practices required for the learner to demonstrate acquisition of learning the course content. has provided a Blooms model in Addendum B - Blooms Taxonomy Model 6. Select and Include Quality Personnel An instructor must demonstrate competency in their field of practice. In order to demonstrate the required qualifications, the instructor must submit the following documents: 1. A full resume, demonstrating educational background, credentials and certifications, and a history of involvement in their particular field of practice. This resume must be updated when additional competencies are acquired. 2. Continuing Education Instructor Self Assessment. The instructor should provide a record from the past year of courses and/or certifications that demonstrates the he or she is also a learner. A full demonstration of broadening ones own knowledge is critical to instructor competency. 8
3. CEU attendance of CEU 101, 102, 103. These courses are short online modules intended to provide clarity and training in the instructor process of content submission. They are offered free to all instructors who are submitting courses/modules for CEU credits. 7. Select Instructional Methods The course and learning outcomes, content, instructional methods and evaluation methods used are outlined in the Course Design Document. The Course Design Document also states the Performance Based Learning Outcomes, Instructional Method, Time Allocation, Evaluation Plan, References, and Other Resources. The plan must ensure that: Subject matter and content are directly related to the learning outcomes. Instructional methods are consistent with the learning outcomes and accommodate various learning styles and adult learning principles. Content is organized appropriately. Participant interaction and assessments are utilized throughout the learning event to reinforce learning, monitor participants progress, and provide feedback to participants on their progress. Policies and procedures are established to address intellectual property rights. Instructors are required to create a full Course Design Document that demonstrates that the content is directed toward accomplishing those learning outcomes. will provide a model template for instructors to use in the development of the Course Design. Addendum A - Course Design Document Intellectual Property Rights Any materials developed for/by the instructors in the course of their work are considered to be the property of the except when a special agreement is made with an customer who pays for material development. In that case, the customer may wish to share intellectual property rights with. These sorts of special agreements are made on a case-by-case basis. Specific language in the contract says: the provider discloses, in advance of the learning event, any proprietary interest in any product, instrument, device, service or materials discussed in the event. 8. Establish Assessment Procedures Instructors will advise participants at the beginning of the session that an assessment of individual learning will take place by the end of the class. This assessment may consist of a knowledge checks, games, post test, or other assessment methods. This is best done throughout the training process and not just at the conclusion. There are specific instructional methods and practices that should be applied during the training process to determine content retention. It is expected that all participants will take an active role in this assessment. Participants are required to get a 70% or better on the course quiz provided at the end of the class. In addition to the assessment, to receive CEUs, a participant must attend class. Our goal is to have 100% attendance. Participants absent for more than 10% of the course, will not receive CEUs. During the course development process, the appropriate assessment is determined. The assessment is designed to measure the achievement of course outcomes. Instructors commonly facilitate question-andanswer sessions, quizzes, and pre-post assessments for courses. The course outcomes dictate the form of assessment used to measure the learner s knowledge, skill or ability gained during the course. 9
9. Establish and Maintain Records Definition of a CEU One CEU equals ten contact hours of participation in organized continuing education/training experience under responsible, qualified direction and instruction. IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are a uniform, internationally recognized unit of measure for continuing education and training. They reflect participation in organized continuing education/training experience under responsible, qualified direction and instruction. Definition of a Contact Hour One contact hour equals one 60-minute clock hour of interaction between learner and instructor or learner and course materials which have been prepared for the purpose of learning. Definition of a Contact Contact implies a connection between a learner and a learning source. For the purpose of the CEU, that connection is two-way. The instructor or learning source must monitor the learner s progress and provide some form of feedback to the learner. This definition applies for distance learning programs and face-toface interactions. provides scanners for use in live classrooms where CEU s are offered. Moderators are provided orientation on the tracking process. Calculating the CEU Determine the number of contact hours by adding all countable portions of the learning event (60 minute hour). Divide the number of contact hours by 10 to get the number of CEU. The CEUs are expressed in tenths. (i.e. 5/10=.5 CEU) However, you may use hundredths to express a ½ hour increment. (i.e. 3 ½ hours equates to.35). When the contact minutes of the last hour are a fraction of an hour, you should calculate CEUs as follows, 5/6 (50 minutes or more), the fractional portion should be counted as a whole hour. Any portion of an hour between 30 and 49 minutes should be counted as 30 minutes. Any part of an hour less than 30 minutes should be dropped. Examples of types of activities to include when calculating contact hours for CEU: classroom time led by instructor and/or discussion leader; activities, in which a learner is engaged in a planned learning event in which the learner s progress is monitored and the learner receives feedback. (i.e. independent study, computer-assisted instruction, interactive video, web site learning and planned projects). field trips, projects, homework and assignments which are an integral part of a learning event; and/or, learner assessment (demonstration/post test) and learning event evaluations. A CEU will not be granted for learning events that are less than one hour in length. The 60-minute hour is the standard for awarding CEUs. As mentioned previously, is responsible for retaining learner transcripts for seven (7) years for all who take classes that have an applied CEU. Generally, handles registration for all classes, allowing us to track each participant. Records include attendance verification, calculation and tracking of active learning, testing and certificates of completion. will provide registration and attendance verification for each class. Also, will provide a form for calculating class participation. Testing is 10
encouraged at the conclusion of each class and the learner should score a minimum of 70% as a passing grade. Only those who pass the course will receive a certification of completion. Addendum C - CEU Calculation 10. Perform Program Evaluation One of the last requirements for the learners on the final day of training is to complete a course evaluation form that focuses on outcomes stated and met, course content and flow, facility feedback, and instructor reviews. To obtain an end of course certificate the learner must complete this feedback form. requires the instructors to use Post Course Evaluations forms, provided by. Moderators will collect evaluation forms in live class situations and return them to for entry. Instructor will receive notification when the data is entered and be given access to their evaluations. Addendum D Evaluation Form. Online course evaluations are provided at the end of each course. CEU s will not be provided unless the registrant completes the evaluation. The data gathered is the basis for either modifications to the course, or instructor mentoring in needed areas. The summarized evaluations will be analyzed to assure course outcomes and all post classroom evaluations will be provided to s PDC for review. The Instructor Evaluation covers the following observable instructor behaviors and participant outcomes: Demonstrated knowledge of the subject matter, Conveyed knowledge of the subject matter and followed an appropriate sequence of presentation, Consistently met learning outcomes and learner expectations, Provided participants adequate opportunity to ask questions and get satisfactory answers, and Participants demonstrated comprehension of the material through interaction, class discussion, workshop exercise, quizzes, and/or other assessment methods. Instructors may earn the same number of CEUs or PDHs as students the first time they teach the course. However, no further CEUs would be awarded for that course. 11. Conclusion The International Erosion Control Association () has a complete and thorough review process in place that ensures that the IACET CEU criteria are met. For any questions you might have, please contact joanna@ieca.org Thank you for your interest in CEU s. We look forward to working with you and your organization on training development projects. Sincerely, Jimmy Eanes, CPESC, CESSWI, CMP s Education Director 11