CompuServe Messages

Eric, Tim and others, Let me clarify some facts re the Autodesk Certified Courseware (ACC) requirement for ATC courses that seems to be causing some concern. Eric has actually done a good job of summarizing some of the most important reasons as to why it is both necessary and advantageous to have such standardization of some courses, but before I go into these it is important that you keep in mind several critical point that are assumed in ALL of this: a) This is for ATC courses and students ONLY, it is NOT for ANY other use or program. (i.e. education) b) These apply ONLY to the specific "standard required" ATC courses, of which there are eleven to date. c) All ATC's are required to market BOTH these standardized courses as well as "customerized" courses to all clients. d) Remember that the ATC program is a WORLDWIDE one and aimed at providing ".. short, focused, intensive training for professionals" in order to make them globally competitive. I am not sure if you were up here for some of this discussion several months ago, so to repeat, the ACC has been initiated with the following goals: 1. Consistency & Standards In recognition of the growing customer demands for consistency of learning from ATC courses independent of their location (city/state/country) and the need to develop "solution centric" models, Autodesk Certified Courseware for the ATC program will increase the consistency and standards: . within a required ATC course delivered at any ATC . to match up with the set ATC course outlines . to match up with the appropriate exam in the Autodesk Certified Testing program 2. Quality Given the wide range of independent courseware materials currently in use by each ATC this program will ensure consistent and high quality of ATC courseware. 3. "EASY" In response to ATC manager and instructor concerns of the growing difficulties and time they are experiencing in developing ATC courseware, this program will make it easy for them to have timely and top quality courseware. 4. Cost Effective In recognition of the growing costs and shrinking budgets, this program will provide a cost effective way to provide top quality courseware to all ATC students. 5. Develop an Autodesk Certified Courseware program that is modular in design to allow for maximum transfer/sustain/scale abilities. Let me further clarify that this program is being implemented to provide the highest quality of materials and to fit easily and well into equally high quality instruction by professional trainers. For instance, it is expected that there will be at least two and in most cases more, choices of ACC materials for each course. There are currently three independent courseware developers producing this material and each are working under standard that goes far enough to ensure consistent OUTCOMES, but NOT so far as to dictate the order or style of instruction. Each developer will use their professional experience and personnel to guide the creation of their version of each course's material. We are NOT, as Eric pointed out, dictating a set of "canned exercises", we are instead doing what customers/students/employers are demanding, and what we (IMHO) should be doing, and that is providing the leadership and direction by setting appropriate learning outcome standards. We have a network of professional instructors and we expect nothing less than for them to continue to implement the courseware materials they use in creative, professional and motivating ways to achieve the highest possible transfer of learning. As per the last goal, the courseware is being developed in a "modular" fashion to allow for even greater flexibility in achieving such goals. I hope this has helped to clarify the ACC materials and why it is being implemented. Please keep in mind that we are ALL working for the same individuals; the "students" In this case, those taking a standard ATC course. It is out of our need to meet their needs that we have initiated the ACC program. Please let me know how you can see us best meeting the needs of this group we share. wayne =====