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CPLPCOACH.COM Tip of the Week - March 2008
=================================================================== Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis & Evaluation

Yep - Bloom's Taxonomy. What does it have to do with the CPLP?

Everything.

As part of the Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) certification process, you - as a candidate - will have to prove a level of competence in most, if not all, of these levels.

For example, there are some who mistake the CPLP Knowledge-based exam as simply a "knowledge test" - where it's enough for one to be able to define, list, name, and recall information.

This is only partially true, as only some exam questions are written at this level.

Other exam questions, however, test comprehension; yet others require the ability to apply the information in a given situation.

This means that elements of the CPLP Knowledge-based exam demand that you have a basic comprehension and understanding of practical applications of the subject matter found across the nine (9) Areas of Expertise outlined in the 2004 ASTD Competency Model (on which the CPLP Knowledge-based exam is based).

Being able to recite and regurgitate the information is not enough to pass the 150 question multiple choice exam.

What to do?

Use a study approach (or multiple approaches) that can help you really learn the subject matter in a way that helps you to process, internalize and - own it.

Get the Gist - an Approach

The "gist" means to understand the central meaning or theme of something, without remembering all of the details.

In the following study prep approach, you use "getting the gist" as a summarization strategy  - the game is to summarize material you've read into 20 words or less.

It's ongoing: as you read more material, you add to the summary, without ever increasing the word count above 20.

The point is: you're looking to get just the gist of the material (not to memorize all of the detail).

This is a great exercise to use when studying solo, when studying in pairs, or even when studying as a group!

Here's what to do:

1. Read one or two paragraphs of material on a specific subject.
2. Write a 20 word (or less) summary of the gist of what you've read.
3. Read an additional one or two paragraphs of related material. 
4. Incorporate the additional information into a new 20 word summary.
5. Depending on the material, you might be able to add the gist of another paragraph or two to your summary without going over the 20 word count.

The outcome of this exercise produces not only a concise summary of the material that's helpful during your review process, but it's also one that forces you to analyze and synthesize the information.

Analysis means to break knowledge into its component parts.

Synthesis means to creatively or divergently apply prior knowledge and skills to produce a new or original whole.

By analyzing and synthesizing the material - having to get the gist of it, then break it down and rearrange it into a summary of 20 words or less - you are learning the material at a deeper level than that required by the CPLP Knowledge-based exam. :-)

You will have moved past Knowledge, Comprehension, and Application on into Analysis and Synthesis.

And - extra benefit! - through this process you will actually learn something - stuff that you might even apply to your work.

How cool is that?

Heads Up! The Work Product submission phase - Phase II of the certification process - is all about Application, Analysis, Synthesis, and even Evaluation.

If you think that the Work Product submission phase is a matter of shoving your best work sample into an envelope and shipping it off to the ASTD Certification Institute, think again!

Make sure you read the chapters about the Work Product submission in the latest Candidate Bulletin:

http://www.astd.org/content/ASTDcertification/CPLPBulletin.htm

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CONGRATULATIONS! To all who busted a move to submit work product last week, congrats!  ::THAT WAS EASY:: (HAR!)

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Did You Know...?

CPLP program testing fees are $750 (ASTD members) and $950 (ASTD non-members) per person. These fees are set at an introductory price and are scheduled to increase after June 30, 2008.

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Attention Certified Professionals in Learning & Performance - Calling all CPLPs!

We'd like to hear from you!

1. Recertification - What questions do you have about recertification? We're almost a year away from when the very first CPLPs will have to file for recertification (2009). How are you
tracking your recertification points? What events and activities are you tracking?

2. Recognition - How have you celebrated your certification success? How have you been recognized by your organization and/or local chapter? How would you like to be recognized for your achievement?

Contact us! http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/department6.cfm

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Record Your Comments & Questions!

Share your thoughts about our products & services. You can record an audio comment in our audio comment system. You can also ask us a question! You never know - we might just play your comment or question on our site.

http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/144.cfm

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Where in the World Are You?!?

We're tracking CPLP candidates, CPLP certified, and CPLP curious around the world! Get yourself on the map and see where others are located. Check it out!

http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/144.cfm

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Recent articles posted at CPLPCOACH.COM:
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Online Practice Exams! Take a Test Drive Today!

Check out our new online practice exam format! It's a great resource for those studying for the CPLP Knowledge-based Exam!

http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/146.cfm

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About the Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) Certification Program & Process

Looking for a summary of the Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) certification program & process before wading through 370+ pages in the Candidate Bulletin?

Read the full article at: 
http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/118.cfm?sd=2

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Book Recommendations

Looking for a few good books to assist you in your study efforts?

For Designing Learning and Delivering Training (worth 15% each on the exam!) check out:

-- "Training for Dummies" by Elaine Beich - http://tinyurl.com/2nrv3h

-- "What Smart Trainers Know: The Secrets of Success from the World's Foremost Experts" edited by Lorraine Ukens - http://tinyurl.com/2rynzx

For Improving Human Performance (also worth 15% of the exam) check out:

-- "HPI Essentials" by George Piskurich - http://tinyurl.com/3bgwds

For these books - and more recommendations - check out our bookstore! Featuring CPLP-related books and Owl Study Packs that can be customized to suit your personal study plan!

http://www.cplpcoach.com/public/department57.cfm

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That's it for this week!

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC - The CPLP Certification Experts