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Love the CPD point thing. Could you explain how the point thing works though- I seem to have gone from 8 to 13 with the addition of 1 message to a thread.
cheers
P.S. maybe I get 5 points per thread as after posting this it went to 18!! Man this CPD thing is easy.
P.P.S. Only got one more for editing though :-(
P.P.P.S. Think I may have found a flaw here, just by editing I get extra points. Hmmm not sure the HPC will buy this.
__________________ Science is the antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition
Points get awarded for a whole lot of things - its based on a formula and I playing with the weighting of the formula.
Not sure what the 1 point for editing a message was for ... but there is some weighting given to length of message, so you may have gone over that threshold. Points also accumulate for time logged on, starting threads, recruiting new members, posting replies, number of times people view a thread you started .... there is some quality control being looked at. eg if you start a crap thread and post a crap reply and we decide to delete it, you loose double the points you gained.
We also looking at introducing the 'reputation points system' in which there will be a button anyone can click on if if like the quality of the post --- this may become a multipler or an additive to the CPD points gained for that post.
Mostly at the moment monitoring selected peoples totals to adjust weightings of different things.
Currently wading through documents from the HPC (UK), APodC (Aus), CPME (USA), Registration Board (NZ) looking at documentation requirements.
Next will have to work out some "hours" that the points total get converted to. There may be a token charge (to cover costs) and we provide a certificate of CPD and your total drops.
It took me about 10 hrs work yesterday to get it to this stage (see this post)
Points also accumulate for time logged on, starting threads, recruiting new members, posting replies, number of times people view a thread you started ....
Not sure about the time logged on one - I'll often start a post, get interrupted by a patient (can you believe), remain logged on and then finish my post once my patient (or 3) is finished. Just a thought.
Not sure about the time logged on one - I'll often start a post, get interrupted by a patient (can you believe), remain logged on and then finish my post once my patient (or 3) is finished. Just a thought.
Rebecca - its a little bit more complicated than that. It not only records time logged on, but also activity when logged on. So if you stay logged on with no activity, then no points get recorded.
The assumption is that if someone is logged on and is very active, then they must be clicking on a lot of messages and reading them and then learning, ie doing CPD (time between clicks is also factored in to prevent abuse).
This way it is possible to accumulate CPD points by just checking in regularly and reading some messages. You won't get as many points as if you actually contribute by posting replies etc.
BTW, Rebecca, you may not notice that you have almost the highest CPD points! Thats becasue of your midtarsal joint stiffness thread. You got points for starting the thread; posting many times in it with long messages; you also got points from that thread as a lot of people have been viewing the thread and because there have been a lot of replies to the topic. As you started a thread on a topic that has turned out to be popular (ie you contributed to the CPD of the rest of the community), you get rewarded ....also think about your own CPD and what went on in that thread .... hence the points you got to reflect that.
Rebecca - its a little bit more complicated than that. It not only records time logged on, but also activity when logged on. So if you stay logged on with no activity, then no points get recorded.
The assumption is that if someone is logged on and is very active, then they must be clicking on a lot of messages and reading them and then learning, ie doing CPD (time between clicks is also factored in).
This way it is possible to accumulate CPD points by just checking in regularly and reading some messages. You won't get as many points as if you actually contribute by posting replies etc.
You clearly have that covered Admin.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Admin
BTW, Rebecca, you may not notice that you have almost the highest CPD points! .
FYI:
The points are only awarded for activity since yesterday. It is not possible to do anything retrospectivly. Except that when a thread that was started before yesterday is updated, it appears that all those who contributed to that thread get points for their contribution. This means that there are going to be some anomalies in points awarded until the system settles in over time.
SO, please don't bump old threads unless there is something useful to contribute to it. Any crap messages to bump old threads will get deleted ...which means you loose double the points you got for the bump.
I just posted in the Nike & Asics thread about what an awesome job Newsbot does in bringing us the latest first! Then I wondered what those CPD points were about and found this thread. This site never ceases to amaze me with getting the news first and now all these incredible innovations, such as allowing us to earn CPD points from it.
Last edited by Admin2 : 4th December 2007 at 05:12 PM.
Reason: added link to Nike & Asics thread
The points are only awarded for activity since yesterday. It is not possible to do anything retrospectively. Except that when a thread that was started before yesterday is updated, it appears that all those who contributed to that thread get points for their contribution. This means that there are going to be some anomalies in points awarded until the system settles in over time.
I have had a couple of messages from people are are in the top 30 posters, yet only have a couple of CPD points. The reason is the 'clock only started ticking' a couple of days ago and I am still adjusting the algorithm that does the calculations to weight different things differently.
I have also had a question on what the points mean?
The points mean what they mean...just that - they are points that are unique to Podiatry Arena. They reflect your activity and contribution here. They are supposed to reflect your own CPD and your contribution to the community (and hence others' CPD).
I am still going through all the documentation I have got, but when members want to they can convert their Podiatry Arena CPD points into a certificate (with explanations of how it was earned). That certificate and what the points are translated into will be different for each country (I am still wading through all the documentation). In some countries, Podiatry Arena will have to get registered as a provider (stoopid idea) and its others its more straight forward. In some countries it just not possible to claim any credit for participation in online activities towards CPD or CME (equally stooopid idea).
There will be a charge for the certificate (we have to cover costs), but will not be any more than the cost of buying me a couple of beers.
Great idea
I've learnt so much at arena and it has been invaluable to my education. Great for those in private practice who can be quite isolated.
Would be even better if they could contribute to a masters
Iona
At the risk of sounding a little negative Craig, there are a lot of people out there who could do a fair bit of reading on the site and not learn much....do they get points for recovering old ground? It's a bit like the old saying about 10yrs experience vs the same year ten times. A hard issue to allow for I would think..I like the general concept though
regards Phill Carter
You are right Phil, but those people currently get points/hours by sitting on seats at conferences (or more likely going out shopping) and learn nothing. It will be possible to gain points by just logging in, browsing/reading.....much more points are obtained by actively participating in the community (ie asking and answering questions).
I have been "counting" Pod Arena readings as points towards my re-registration for nearly a year now. I think it is more legit than falling asleep / hung over at the back of a conference room. Cheers for a great initiative. I hope I can contribute something worthwhile in the future.
Thanks Joe ...I know of a few others that have been doing that and just claiming it as self directed learning. The difference now is that we can produce a certificate with points (hours) that is auditable. I was going to go through the NZ Registration Board documents today...but things have got away from me (....again).
Is the intention to have a cut of and restart point e.g. Start in January each year, end December each year and restart again the following January making this an annual accumulation?
Its flexible --- the certififcate will say what time period the points were accumulated over. Some re-acreditation cycles are two years; some are annual.
Okay, lets say l want one at the end of each year, how is the certificate going to look and what is the cost going to be? not that l need one with my low count, but l am sure others are interested in seeing one and noting the cost of it also
Okay, lets say l want one at the end of each year, how is the certificate going to look and what is the cost going to be? not that l need one with my low count, but l am sure others are interested in seeing one and noting the cost of it also
Its still being worked on like a few zillion other things (including installing some new smilies - ). A sample of the certificate should be posted within a week. Cost not finalised, but will be no more than a carton of Boags.
CPD points
). A sample of the certificate should be posted within a week. Cost not finalised, but will be no more than a carton of 
. A sample of what the certificate will look like is attached.
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