Most states have a requirement for continuing education units (or CEUs). The AIA requires 18 hours per year to maintain membership in good standing. I’ve found that there are a lot of “free” CEUs available that I typically find via e-mails or vendor-sponsored events. Sometimes I’ll have a question on a particular product I’m researching for a project; a lot of national manufacturers have programs they can offer which comply with AIA rules for CEUs.
I’m especially happy with the CEU programs offered by my O/E insurance carrier XL Insurance (http://www.xldp.com/ins_edu.html). First, I like that the learning sessions have real meat in them, with very useful information on how I can run my practice and projects better. Second I have found a very good “return on investment” for my time spent and the things I have learned. Third, I really like getting the premium discounts when I complete a module.
How and where do you get your CEUs? Do you find “free” ones? Do you attend local lunch/learn events? Do you purchase monographs from NCARB? Do you read articles in trade publications, take their test, and fax in for your grade and credit (for a fee of course)? What or where are the other sources of education?
—Lisa Stacholy, AIA
Comments (9)
http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek08/1212/1212n_navecon.cfm
1 CEU for free - (aia membership number required) webinar on January 15, 2009 "Designing a Financial Plan in Uncertain Times."
I tried to a attend an event a month or so ago; they said they had "technical issues" and the log in wasn't working, I tried to do it from their archives section and they wanted to charge $100 for the privilege. Hopefully this time it will work.
Posted by Lisa Stacholy, AIA, NCARB | December 12, 2008 10:09 AM
Posted on December 12, 2008 10:09
I found a new CEU Web site that is really free! Find it at
www.loginandlearn.com
You need to register to use the site, then you can access content/etc. I don't know yet how the reporting works but the knowledge looks pretty good!
Posted by Lisa Stacholy, AIA, NCARB | November 26, 2008 12:52 PM
Posted on November 26, 2008 12:52
Yo Louis,
As we discovered when presenting at the Arkansas State AIA and at Georgia State AIA conventions (both in October 2008), it is very apparent based on the attendance that architects just like are starved for re-infusing projects with meaning. A good concept can carry you thru the toughest parts of a project when you're getting hammered down on the cost for example. (see: http://blog.aia.org/smallfirms/2008/11/wisdom_kernels.html ).
Also, I recently read an "architect's profile" in one of the monthly/quarterly product information mags that his pet peeve is when everyone starts out on a project all gun-hoe, and after a while, they get beat down and just do enough to finish it. A good, strong reliable concept (I've found) does wonders to provide the spiritual fodder to continue.
When will the Center be functional?
Posted by Lisa Stacholy, AIA, NCARB | November 19, 2008 2:23 PM
Posted on November 19, 2008 14:23
Hey Lisa, I am going to take a moment to air a subject we have discussed in private. I think continuing education is great. But I and others tire of having mostly workshops based on the use of a particular product or material by the manufacturer of that product or material. While I appreciate the technology update it does not meet all my needs as an architect.
I would like to see more design oriented training. Its true the AIA has Best Practice Courses in a variety of areas. These are mostly focussed around awards programs. the Small Project Practitioners KC Awards Program is a good example of this. (www.AIA.org/spp)
I really want more workshops that show not what good design is but how to get there from where I am. That, as you know is why I am trying to found the Center for Poetic Architecture. I hope that it will develop as an interactive community where I can share what I have discovered and also learn from others. (Donations Welcome!) I want to learn to express more passion with disciplined thought and effective detailing.
Wish me luck!
lbs.
Posted by Louis Smith, AIA, NOMA | November 19, 2008 10:49 AM
Posted on November 19, 2008 10:49
Thru the AIA, there are some new online webinars offered. I tried to "attend" the first one offered which was How Small Firms Survive An Economic Downturn... but the hosting service had issues and would not allow any logons- apparently the passwords are still valid for re-attendance. Has anyone tried these?
http://online.krm.com/iebms/coe/coe_p1_all.aspx?oc=10&cc=00347223
Let us know if these are good to attend.
Posted by Lisa Stacholy, AIA, NCARB | November 18, 2008 9:28 AM
Posted on November 18, 2008 09:28
HanleyWood, publisher of Architect Online, has its own page of free CEU online courses. Just click and learn!
http://www.architectmagazine.com/industry-news-section.asp?sectionID=1018
Posted by Lisa Stacholy, AIA, NCARB | October 16, 2008 8:56 AM
Posted on October 16, 2008 08:56
THREE RESOURCES
1) Yes - getting "credit" for the effort it takes to prepare to teach a course sweetens the pot.
2) Also, don't forget that when you're doing something for a project, or running your office, you can record some of that time via the "self-reporting" mechanism of the AIA. It is good incentive to [re]approach our work with the same vigor we approached our studies {go gators!}.
3) http://www.tgpamerica.com/ free ceu course on daylighting.
Posted by Lisa Stacholy, AIA, NCARB | October 15, 2008 3:44 PM
Posted on October 15, 2008 15:44
I get my LUs by giving courses to others. When you give a course to others for LU credit, you get the length of the course as your own credit as well. This covers at least some of the time spent preparing for the course. SInce I am giving the course, it only costs me my prep time.
Posted by Louis Smith, AIA, NOMA | October 15, 2008 10:36 AM
Posted on October 15, 2008 10:36
Another great source of free AIA CEUs is ronblank.com. Towards the end of each year, I check to see if I have enough CEUs and, if I am deficient, I go to ronblank.com to take a course or two to put me over the requirement.
Posted by patrick marr | October 8, 2008 11:35 PM
Posted on October 8, 2008 23:35