I'm all for continuing Ed but not sure how many more easements / right of ways, adverse possession, riparian rights, how to do research presentations I can sit through. Other than new technology, there is just not much else to discuss about the worlds second oldest profession. I do however enjoy networking and sharing ideas with fellow surveyors.
When will we get approval for the CE benefits that this site provides?
I think they require too many credits. That's the problem. If you just had to take one class per year it probably wouldn't be that hard to find something interesting...
I hear ya! The last convention I went to, I wanted to ONLY visit with vendors. Actually, the guy I went to see was the rep from Carlson. Aaron Newman. I gave him an outline for some software improvement. I don't mind continuing ed. But, sometimes you just have to deal with your equipment.
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Deep down, we all know it's a useless requirement. You can argue as much as you like, but it still doesn't change the fact that there are guys sleeping through seminars in the back row, and then picking up their certificate at the end of the day.
Dan Patterson, post: 390279, member: 1179 wrote: I think they require too many credits. That's the problem. If you just had to take one class per year it probably wouldn't be that hard to find something interesting...
Two states I'm licensed in require 15 hours a year. That's ridiculous. 10 hours a year is more than enough, and the states shouldn't have such strict requirements about what is accepted, such as requiring classes to be pre-approved.
I have always exceeded my state 8 hour requirement, often 16 or more hours per year. So after at least 10 years of this, how about somebody giving me a Bachelors of Survey Science, or a Master degree? I want a sheepskin!!
I have to have 36 credits, but the renewal period is two years......still too much if you ask me.
The guy who want to skate by doing the minimum and who aren't really that interested in work and furthering their knowledge are not going to be encouraged to do so by being required to take more credits....
Kentucky requires 8 a year and I would love to see them jump to 15 a year. 15 hours a year is the NCEES model suggestion. Medical doctors require 60 every 3 years and attorneys require 12 a year, in Kentucky.
When I proctor a course I don't let people sleep. It's rude and quite unprofessional, you're not in high school anymore. I've seen people bring lawn chairs into courses...
I just don't think that asking a surveyor to maintain 15 hours of continuing education is asking too much to maintain a professional license. I feel like the problem is that there isn't enough innovation in the development of classes to keep people interested.
I know that I generally end up with about 20-24, or more, hours every year. I think that if it was not increased to 15, in Kentucky, you'd see some of these people that are sleeping leave the profession.
Thinking of a speaker who did a slideshow who didn't change a slide (text only) for 25 minutes. I usually have at least 2 slides per minute when I present. Sometimes it's too much information, but it keeps everyone's attention. Everything I present is something I have already lived in the field.
I always thought the snoring from the back row added to the ambiance
I agree the classes need to be more varried in what is presented. The same class, year after year, with only minor changes, really doesn't benefit anyone. I know writing new material takes time and effort, but it has to be done. I am hoping to present a course for approval that would be an entirely hands on course of chaining, compass use, and finding corners, and to make it interesting, I am trying to make it into a competition, with a decent prize for the winning team. I'm hoping for a late afternoon time slot so I can allow coolers on the course, too.
J. Penry, post: 390300, member: 321 wrote: Thinking of a speaker who did a slideshow who didn't change a slide (text only) for 25 minutes. I usually have at least 2 slides per minute when I present. Sometimes it's too much information, but it keeps everyone's attention. Everything I present is something I have already lived in the field.
I wouldn't mind sitting through one of your presentations. Where do you present?
Jason Graves, post: 390297, member: 9531 wrote: Kentucky requires 8 a year and I would love to see them jump to 15 a year. 15 hours a year is the NCEES model suggestion. Medical doctors require 60 every 3 years and attorneys require 12 a year, in Kentucky.
When I proctor a course I don't let people sleep. It's rude and quite unprofessional, you're not in high school anymore. I've seen people bring lawn chairs into courses...
I just don't think that asking a surveyor to maintain 15 hours of continuing education is asking too much to maintain a professional license. I feel like the problem is that there isn't enough innovation in the development of classes to keep people interested.
I know that I generally end up with about 20-24, or more, hours every year. I think that if it was not increased to 15, in Kentucky, you'd see some of these people that are sleeping leave the profession.
No you wouldn't. I see people in Tennessee sleeping all the time.
For the record, I don't have a problem with getting 15 hours of education a year. What I have a problem with is taking 15 hours in Tennessee that Florida won't accept, or being forced to drive 3 hours and across two state lines to take a standards of practice course that cannot be taken online or as a correspondence course. Or taking a great class given by Gary Kent or Milton Denny, but being unable to get any credit because they are not a "licensed continuing education provider".
Jason Graves, post: 390297, member: 9531 wrote: Kentucky requires 8 a year and I would love to see them jump to 15 a year. 15 hours a year is the NCEES model suggestion. Medical doctors require 60 every 3 years and attorneys require 12 a year, in Kentucky.
When I proctor a course I don't let people sleep. It's rude and quite unprofessional, you're not in high school anymore. I've seen people bring lawn chairs into courses...
I just don't think that asking a surveyor to maintain 15 hours of continuing education is asking too much to maintain a professional license. I feel like the problem is that there isn't enough innovation in the development of classes to keep people interested.
I know that I generally end up with about 20-24, or more, hours every year. I think that if it was not increased to 15, in Kentucky, you'd see some of these people that are sleeping leave the profession.
I agree Jason. I'm in a State that has never had Continuing Ed. requirements. Several years ago the survey community suggested it to the Board but it was shot down primarily by the engineering sector. It wasn't even being suggested for them, just for surveyors, but they apparently thought it might bleed over into them someday. We have a vast number of licensed expert measurerers hers, few licensed knowledgeable surveyors. Continuing Ed. classes don't just have to be about surveying - many of our licensees can't even write a simple letter or use proper grammer! I recently read a letter that a licensee under investigation wrote to our Board to explain his actions that was almost incomprehensible. I have a difficult time understanding how he can even communicate with his clients. Many of us still have lots to learn. I've been at it for close to 45 years now...
Jason Graves, post: 390297, member: 9531 wrote: Kentucky requires 8 a year and I would love to see them jump to 15 a year. 15 hours a year is the NCEES model suggestion. Medical doctors require 60 every 3 years and attorneys require 12 a year, in Kentucky.
A lawyer friend of mine (R.I.P.) always got his 16(?) hours a year at a seminar held over the weekend at a private duck hunting club owned by a retired judge. He said there was not much lecturing and a whole lot of hunting. involved.
Out here in the other Washington, it is self reporting and the options for me to gain (report) credit are varied. I get credit for being a member of my professional societies, reading publications, and probably demonstrating that I belong to this forum. I was given a short time slot in a professionally administrated seminar where I basically explained how to read a map and legal description which in and of its self contributed mightily to my professional development credentials. I agree with the the OP though that the same old is getting old.
Pretty hard to call it "Continuing Education" when some states don't require any formal education to be licensed to begin with.
My take, call it Professional Development, and let people teach a class of students, give a presentation at a Town Hall meeting, or sit at a table at a college and career day program. Anything to further either their education OR develop the profession.
Some days I consider giving up my license because I simply don't want to play the continuing education credit game anymore.
I missed all the conferences this year for health reasons, so it looks like I'll be filing the "make my license inactive" form. Reactivating it requires an additional 15 hours of continuing education in the two years following reactivation. I've still got a couple months to decide. Might get started on CFEDs in the meantime.
Ongoing self-directed study is part of being a professional, and if we have to legislate to require it, something else isn't working.
half bubble, post: 390316, member: 175 wrote: Some days I consider giving up my license because I simply don't want to play the continuing education credit game anymore.
I missed all the conferences this year for health reasons, so it looks like I'll be filing the "make my license inactive" form. Reactivating it requires an additional 15 hours of continuing education in the two years following reactivation. I've still got a couple months to decide. Might get started on CFEDs in the meantime.
Ongoing self-directed study is part of being a professional, and if we have to legislate to require it, something else isn't working.
It starts with the granting of licenses to completely unqualified individuals...
