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1/1/2010
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In 2008, during my term as ACI Vice President, the ACI Board Task Group on Improving Educational Programs made four recommendations to the Board of Direction. These included development of an online learning program, inspector certification training, an audio version of the Contractor’s Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, and a sustainability Web site. Thanks to the hard work of ACI volunteer members and staff, I’m happy to report that all of these programs have been implemented. Now, after attending the ACI Fall 2009 Convention in New Orleans, I’m convinced that this new generation of educational programs is only the beginning of greater things to come from ACI’s Educational Activities Committee (EAC). At the Fall Convention, EAC took steps to revitalize and enhance ACI's educational programs to align the goals and operation of EAC with our newly revised Strategic Plan. Goal #4 of the Strategic Plan calls for expansion of ACI's education and career-related programs to improve the quality of concrete construction. There are four education-related objectives under this goal: Expand education services internationally. As ACI’s influence and partnerships expand around the globe, there will be a greater need for education about ACI's programs and products. The increased development of Internet-based learning tools is one method that can help ACI achieve this objective in a cost-effective manner. Develop and implement programs based on market research, allowing EAC and its committees to concentrate on providing programs that are needed most by the industry. EAC has formed a New Programs Task Force whose mission is "to evaluate potential topics for new EAC programs, including identification of an audience and proposal of a delivery method." This group will generate ideas for new programs, then use market research to identify those programs that will be recommended to EAC for approval and eventual development. Expand the tools available to help design, build, and maintain concrete. This is perhaps the area where EAC will be stepping farthest outside of its traditional role by developing tools that not only educate but also help industry professionals do their jobs better and more efficiently. Expand delivery forms to make products more accessible, timely, and relevant. ACI's educational programs have historically relied on printed documents and face-to-face seminars. ACI has expanded its education delivery tools recently with the online CEU program and the eLearning program. With the current pace of change in technology, there will likely be options for delivery of education available in the next few years that aren’t even known about by the general public today. ACI will need to identify those technologies with the potential to deliver educational content to new audiences or deliver it more conveniently to our current audiences. Recognizing that new programs and products will require significant volunteer effort, EAC took steps to make it easier for ACI members to participate. EAC will use small task groups of about four to six people as the main developers of educational content. These task groups will report to one of EAC’s committees and be chaired by an EAC committee member, but the remaining members of the task group will not be required to join the committee. This will allow members to participate who may have been reluctant to take on all of the commitments of committee membership or didn’t feel they had time to fully participate in a committee. The task groups will also be discharged once their assigned program or product is complete, allowing members to know the scope of their commitment before joining a task group. EAC also chose to transfer oversight of EAC's student-related committees (E801, E802, and E803) to the Student and Young Professional Activities Committee (SYPAC). Although EAC had been the logical place for these committees in the past, both committees felt that SYPAC was now a better fit. As you can see, EAC had a very productive convention, and I’m hoping you’ll join me in supporting their efforts. I’m sure they would be open to any ideas for new programs or products that you’re willing to share and would appreciate your support if asked to join a task group on the new generation of educational tools. Florian G. Barth American Concrete Institute fb@florian.com Back to Memo List
In 2008, during my term as ACI Vice President, the ACI Board Task Group on Improving Educational Programs made four recommendations to the Board of Direction. These included development of an online learning program, inspector certification training, an audio version of the Contractor’s Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, and a sustainability Web site. Thanks to the hard work of ACI volunteer members and staff, I’m happy to report that all of these programs have been implemented. Now, after attending the ACI Fall 2009 Convention in New Orleans, I’m convinced that this new generation of educational programs is only the beginning of greater things to come from ACI’s Educational Activities Committee (EAC).
At the Fall Convention, EAC took steps to revitalize and enhance ACI's educational programs to align the goals and operation of EAC with our newly revised Strategic Plan. Goal #4 of the Strategic Plan calls for expansion of ACI's education and career-related programs to improve the quality of concrete construction. There are four education-related objectives under this goal:
As ACI’s influence and partnerships expand around the globe, there will be a greater need for education about ACI's programs and products. The increased development of Internet-based learning tools is one method that can help ACI achieve this objective in a cost-effective manner.
EAC has formed a New Programs Task Force whose mission is "to evaluate potential topics for new EAC programs, including identification of an audience and proposal of a delivery method." This group will generate ideas for new programs, then use market research to identify those programs that will be recommended to EAC for approval and eventual development.
This is perhaps the area where EAC will be stepping farthest outside of its traditional role by developing tools that not only educate but also help industry professionals do their jobs better and more efficiently.
ACI's educational programs have historically relied on printed documents and face-to-face seminars. ACI has expanded its education delivery tools recently with the online CEU program and the eLearning program. With the current pace of change in technology, there will likely be options for delivery of education available in the next few years that aren’t even known about by the general public today. ACI will need to identify those technologies with the potential to deliver educational content to new audiences or deliver it more conveniently to our current audiences.
Recognizing that new programs and products will require significant volunteer effort, EAC took steps to make it easier for ACI members to participate. EAC will use small task groups of about four to six people as the main developers of educational content. These task groups will report to one of EAC’s committees and be chaired by an EAC committee member, but the remaining members of the task group will not be required to join the committee. This will allow members to participate who may have been reluctant to take on all of the commitments of committee membership or didn’t feel they had time to fully participate in a committee. The task groups will also be discharged once their assigned program or product is complete, allowing members to know the scope of their commitment before joining a task group.
EAC also chose to transfer oversight of EAC's student-related committees (E801, E802, and E803) to the Student and Young Professional Activities Committee (SYPAC). Although EAC had been the logical place for these committees in the past, both committees felt that SYPAC was now a better fit.
As you can see, EAC had a very productive convention, and I’m hoping you’ll join me in supporting their efforts. I’m sure they would be open to any ideas for new programs or products that you’re willing to share and would appreciate your support if asked to join a task group on the new generation of educational tools.
Florian G. Barth American Concrete Institute fb@florian.com
Back to Memo List
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