Discussion: View Thread

Continuing Education has been an on going conversation through 35 years of my career.  Having the responsibility training staff it would be nice to have a discussion of what courses people have found helpful in keeping up with the knowledge they need for there area of expertise.  While making use of University programs I have found that I have had to search across the spectrum to secure the knowledge I have been looking for.  One of my greatest challenges is developing a curriculum for training staff in the needs of the firm.  Not something that comes naturally for Engineers nor is our expertise.

It would be nice to hear observations on how as a group we can help each other develop and maintain our expertise.

My area Structural Engineering.
The challenges we have had for training is

• Structural Analysis - specifically Non Linear
• Aluminum Design
• International Design Loading Standards

------------------------------
David Thompson P.E., M.ASCE
Principal
KTA Structural Engineers Ltd.
Calgary AB
------------------------------

ASCE has an online course on design of Aluminum structures that I found very useful.   I took it about a year ago, and I believe it is still available

------------------------------
Harold Dibben P.E., M.ASCE
Princ-Struct Engr
Lassing Dibben Consulting Engineers Ltd.
Trenton ON
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-22-2017 11:54
From: David Thompson
Subject: Online Sources for Continuing Education

Continuing Education has been an on going conversation through 35 years of my career.  Having the responsibility training staff it would be nice to have a discussion of what courses people have found helpful in keeping up with the knowledge they need for there area of expertise.  While making use of University programs I have found that I have had to search across the spectrum to secure the knowledge I have been looking for.  One of my greatest challenges is developing a curriculum for training staff in the needs of the firm.  Not something that comes naturally for Engineers nor is our expertise.

It would be nice to hear observations on how as a group we can help each other develop and maintain our expertise.

My area Structural Engineering.
The challenges we have had for training is

• Structural Analysis - specifically Non Linear
• Aluminum Design
• International Design Loading Standards

------------------------------
David Thompson P.E., M.ASCE
Principal
KTA Structural Engineers Ltd.
Calgary AB
------------------------------

And if I may add a dimension to whatever is shared, please include whether or not the course was, or is approvable by any specific state board for continuing education credit regarding PE license renewal.
Thank you.

------------------------------
William Hayden Ph.D., P.E., CP, F.ASCE
Management Quality By Design, Inc.
Amherst NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-22-2017 11:54
From: David Thompson
Subject: Online Sources for Continuing Education

Continuing Education has been an on going conversation through 35 years of my career.  Having the responsibility training staff it would be nice to have a discussion of what courses people have found helpful in keeping up with the knowledge they need for there area of expertise.  While making use of University programs I have found that I have had to search across the spectrum to secure the knowledge I have been looking for.  One of my greatest challenges is developing a curriculum for training staff in the needs of the firm.  Not something that comes naturally for Engineers nor is our expertise.

It would be nice to hear observations on how as a group we can help each other develop and maintain our expertise.

My area Structural Engineering.
The challenges we have had for training is

• Structural Analysis - specifically Non Linear
• Aluminum Design
• International Design Loading Standards

------------------------------
David Thompson P.E., M.ASCE
Principal
KTA Structural Engineers Ltd.
Calgary AB
------------------------------

Mr. Thompson

I can appreciate your interest in this topic having been the a structural engineering department manager in a prior role.  There are a wide array of online continuing education programs available with a correspondingly wide variance in their quality (my opinion).  I have found some of the ASCE content useful and some programs were less than I had hoped.  Given that this is a forum sponsored by ASCE I feel that advocacy for other providers seems to be inappropriate or at least rude.  Maybe this discussion is better suited to a forum not administered by a content provider.

If ASCE leadership has a different perspective, please post a reply indicating such and I will elaborate more on what I have found beneficial.

Thank you

------------------------------
Timothy Gilbert P.E., S.E., M.ASCE
Project Specialist - Civil
Wadsworth OH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-22-2017 11:54
From: David Thompson
Subject: Online Sources for Continuing Education

Continuing Education has been an on going conversation through 35 years of my career.  Having the responsibility training staff it would be nice to have a discussion of what courses people have found helpful in keeping up with the knowledge they need for there area of expertise.  While making use of University programs I have found that I have had to search across the spectrum to secure the knowledge I have been looking for.  One of my greatest challenges is developing a curriculum for training staff in the needs of the firm.  Not something that comes naturally for Engineers nor is our expertise.

It would be nice to hear observations on how as a group we can help each other develop and maintain our expertise.

My area Structural Engineering.
The challenges we have had for training is

• Structural Analysis - specifically Non Linear
• Aluminum Design
• International Design Loading Standards

------------------------------
David Thompson P.E., M.ASCE
Principal
KTA Structural Engineers Ltd.
Calgary AB
------------------------------

​Hi Tim,

Thanks for asking how best to share resources or respond to questions about continuing education sources.

We want to keep Collaborate free of promotions, so we do not permit promotions for conferences, courses, etc., regardless of the provider.

Please feel free to share your insights and recommendations with one another via private message.

Jane

------------------------------
Jane Howell
ASCE
Reston VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-26-2017 07:10
From: Timothy Gilbert
Subject: Online Sources for Continuing Education

Mr. Thompson

I can appreciate your interest in this topic having been the a structural engineering department manager in a prior role.  There are a wide array of online continuing education programs available with a correspondingly wide variance in their quality (my opinion).  I have found some of the ASCE content useful and some programs were less than I had hoped.  Given that this is a forum sponsored by ASCE I feel that advocacy for other providers seems to be inappropriate or at least rude.  Maybe this discussion is better suited to a forum not administered by a content provider.

If ASCE leadership has a different perspective, please post a reply indicating such and I will elaborate more on what I have found beneficial.

Thank you

------------------------------
Timothy Gilbert P.E., S.E., M.ASCE
Project Specialist - Civil
Wadsworth OH

Original Message:
Sent: 07-22-2017 11:54
From: David Thompson
Subject: Online Sources for Continuing Education

Continuing Education has been an on going conversation through 35 years of my career.  Having the responsibility training staff it would be nice to have a discussion of what courses people have found helpful in keeping up with the knowledge they need for there area of expertise.  While making use of University programs I have found that I have had to search across the spectrum to secure the knowledge I have been looking for.  One of my greatest challenges is developing a curriculum for training staff in the needs of the firm.  Not something that comes naturally for Engineers nor is our expertise.

It would be nice to hear observations on how as a group we can help each other develop and maintain our expertise.

My area Structural Engineering.
The challenges we have had for training is

• Structural Analysis - specifically Non Linear
• Aluminum Design
• International Design Loading Standards

------------------------------
David Thompson P.E., M.ASCE
Principal
KTA Structural Engineers Ltd.
Calgary AB
------------------------------