Dear members and colleagues:
As I poke my nose around the corner to see spring arrive, I can also see that it is time to choose our new leadership team for the coming year. The year looks full of promise and learning. We have excellent programs coming up, membership is picking up and members are awakening to some of the newer benefits such as our FREE ADVERTISING. I would like to share the nominating process with you to begin this issue.
Our nomination process is actually quite easy. Our operating year runs from July through June. During March and April members should consider whom they would want as leaders for their Chapter for the upcoming year. Members should look to themselves and nominate worthy candidates who would embrace the opportunity to carry the responsibilities of leadership for the coming year. As always, our organization seeks to help trainers and educators and other professionals in CT to achieve their goals and improve their skills, and to make CT a better place to live. The Board Member positions available are:
Elections are held in May at the regular monthly membership meeting, this year on May 16. The President-Elect usually forms and chairs a nominating committee at least 30 days prior to elections to present a slate of qualified candidates to the membership for consideration for election to Board positions. Since we have no President Elect this year, the Board has chosen our V.P. of Membership, Barbara King, to head the nominating committee.
Note: All nominees must be chapter members in good standing, and must also be (or become) members of the national ASTD. If you are interested in any of the Board positions please make your intentions known to Barbara or any Board member by the nomination deadline of April 16.
I can not tell you enough the benefits you will derive from serving and striving to make a difference in people’s lives. If you have ever thought about chapter leadership, but hesitated, now is the time. There has never been a time when your services would be more appreciated by your chapter. Consider the various positions and your skills and interests, and go for it! Whatever you choose, do it ASAP so we can get your name to the Nominating Committee by April 16, 2007. Good luck to all. Let’s have a great year - I know we will!
- John
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As the information and communication age continues to grow at outstanding rates we as mature adults sometimes find ourselves in situations of having to expand our knowledge. That means learning something new which could take the form of new technology such as a new computer software system, or maybe a whole new job function which might throw us into a realm of uncertainty. In any case, as adult learners that possibly have let our minds lie dormant for learning for a time, this “learning” could be a scary event.
I’ve always said that I am not a “gadget girl”. I had the experience a few months ago of having to buy a new washer. We decided on a front loader and I might mention that my husband is quite the “gadget guy” so I let him talk me into the multi button, multi phase, only use this detergent etc, kind of washer. All I can say at this point is I have yet to do a load of laundry in it so it’s a good thing my husband can run it.
Learning can be a matter of feeling overwhelmed when something unknown is placed in front of you. You look at it, and wonder to yourself, “where do I start?” Yes, we can read the manual but if you’re like me, it had better have pictures and tell me exactly what the steps are or I’m in trouble. I find myself more comfortable learning by watching and doing. If it comes via visual demonstrations on the internet or even through audio means, that’s even better.
So where this is leading is to the importance of knowing how you learn best, because we don’t learn the same way we did as kids. Identifying your preferred learning style will make your learning experience a lot smoother. Our minds are always running in several directions. When’s the last time you sat down to read a book just for fun? Now think of it in the aspect of a textbook. As scary as that may seem, we do make time for things we want to make time for. Therefore, do it the way that best suits you.
Don’t be afraid because you are an “adult” learner. Older learners are the new “in” thing now. When it comes to learning something new here are a few tips:
¨ Break it down into smaller pieces
¨ Use the resources available to you
¨ Don’t be afraid to ask for help (even if it’s from your college age child, they sometimes know more than us concerning technology)
I think we’ve got the leg up on the younger learners because hopefully by now, we’ve learned one skill they haven’t: time management. As for resources, use your professional organizations such as your local chapter of the American Society for Training and Development. This organization and others like it offer seminars and discussions on a wide range of topics. There’s usually something for everyone at some point and if you find a real need, they can help send you in the right direction. You can view their websites at http://www.CTASTD.net and http://www.ASTD.org. Happy Learning!
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“You Want Me to Learn What?” - by Patricia Charles, Secretary CTASTD
Learning Theories—What Do You Know About Them?
The reality of a professional and on- going association like ours can only be achieved when strategies and ideas permeate the entire community of CTASTD members. Share this newsletter by forwarding it to a colleague and spread the knowledge. We need your help!
End Notes
¨ Contact Us: cttrainers@ctastd.net
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¨ Subscribe to “Cyreous Quotes” weekday motivational quotes: HERE
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Copyright 2007 © CTASTD
Letter From the President
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Volume 1, Number 3
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The Next Step – What is Your Mission in Life? (Second installment)
I hope that you have already made your list of values and placed them in order of importance. If you have, you are well on your way to an integrated life. If you missed last month’s article, check it out on the CTASTD Website. When you have decisions to make, you can refer to your list and make your choices based on your values.
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Come to the Meeting
April 18 6:00 p.m.
“Success is Your Birthright!” by Kim Kasparian
Refreshments Provided
In This Issue:
¨ Letter From the President
¨ You Want Me to Learn What?
¨ News From National
¨ What’s Your Mission in Life?
¨ Learning Theories-What Do You Know About Them?
¨ Meeting Announcement
¨ How Do You Motivate Students?
¨ Share the News
¨ End Notes
Atlanta Georgia, June 3-6, 2007 www.astd.org Click HERE for conference information
Deadline to Apply is March 31st See Details
March 27-28, 2007
ROI Skill-Building Certificate Program
Los Angeles, California
March 27-28, 2007
Test Design and Delivery Certificate Program
Los Angeles, California
March 29-30, 2007
Coaching Certificate Program
Alexandria, Virginia
March 28-29, 2007
The First Global Summit for Corporate University Development
Beijing, China
ASTD Up Coming Events
For example, your company offers you a job which requires relocation. You also have a family with school age children. If your values list has family above success you would think very carefully before making such a move. It’s very simple. If you follow your values, you will have a life with fewer conflicts. You act on what is most important to you.
The next step in creating a life plan is to create a Personal Mission Statement. Every company has a mission statement. It’s important that you have a mission statement to guide your actions and decisions. The mission statement details what you plan to do in your life. Don’t be intimidated. Mission statements can be changed as we learn more about ourselves and where we want to be in our lives.
The following is an excerpt from a Personal Mission Statement:
“It is my mission to be an example of love and encouragement to my family and professional associates. To be a trainer who really listens to both the companies that employ me and the students I teach. I work to ensure that the training I provide exceeds the expectations of my employers and that each student in my class leaves with valuable information which he or she can use in his or her career and personal life.
As a parent, I give my children unconditional love and support. I strive to be an example of possibility to my children. I support my spouse and my children as they work to reach their goals.”
Your Personal Mission Statement should include missions for all aspects of your life, both personal and professional. The more detailed you make it, the more real it becomes. Like your values list, your mission statement is another compass in your life plan. Make it fun and write it with a sense of possibility. You really can become the person you want to be, however first you have to figure out who that person is. You are building your dreams so enjoy yourself as you move towards a reachable and fulfilling life plan.
Stay tuned for next month when we take our next step in creating a life plan.
Do you know How Adults Learn? There are a number of learning theories. One was taught at our February meeting when John Cyr, President of CTASTD, discussed Transformative Learning. At www.funderstanding.com you can learn about 12 different kinds of learning theories. There are actually more than twelve but here is one place you can find a substantial list. The website is: http://www.funderstanding.com
One page will take you through this interesting journey of some basics that we as trainers and educators should know. Here are some links from that website:
¨ Piaget's Developmental Theory
¨ Right Brain/Left Brain Thinking
¨ Vygotsky and Social Cognition
How do you motivate students? I am a believer that you cannot motivate anyone. People motivate themselves. But as facilitators there are things we can do to set up the situation for the self-motivation of our students. Researchers have begun to identify those aspects of the teaching situation that enhance students' self-motivation (Lowman, 1984; Lucas, 1990; Weinert and Kluwe, 1987; Bligh, 1971).
To encourage students to become self-motivated independent learners, instructors can do the following:
1. Give frequent, early, positive feedback that supports students' beliefs that they can do well.
2. Ensure opportunities for students' success by assigning tasks that are not too easy nor difficult.
3. Help students find personal meaning and value in the material.
4. Create an atmosphere that is open and positive.
5. Help students feel that they are valued members of a learning community.
How Do You Motivate Students?
MARCH 2007
News From National
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