Let's Talk About Continuing Education

I've been to some very, very fascinating classes. In fact, I'd say about 90% of the time, I'm glad I attended, and felt like I learned something.

I always try to take at least some sort of online training every month.  Not only do I feel I learn something from it, but it also refreshes skills and knowledge that I might not have used in awhile.

I enjoy the on line courses I take and I do learn things.  Other then review I would like classes that focus heavy and deep on specialized topics like investing and such.

Alabama requires 15 hours every two years. This last cycle, I had 102, the time before I had even more than that. So, obviously, I'm a CE Junkie. PLUS CRS, GRI, SRS, SFR, BPOR, e-PRO, ABR, and paid for but not done yet - SRES & Green. And I'm on our Board Education Committee.

I over do, as I often do, but still believe in the importance of Education. It gives new Agents Confidence and older Agents (experience wise, not age wise) a refresher.

I love CEC.  I'm always going to classes that don't give credit but give knowledge! I still feel as though I need to know more; there is 'always' more to learn. Thank you for the post.

Rick, I taught the Principles of Real Estate, Post licensing classes, Broker's classes and Continuing Education for a little over five years. I can't recommend any particular classes for Arizona. I found if you keep the classes interesting and stimulate discussions, students will interact better and walk away learning more and feeling the class was worth it.

Now that we can take classes online I have not seen so many attendees reading and writing emails, surfing websites and playing games.

CE is good when properly presented, but so often the material is stale and the presentation uninspired.

I take a lot of classes I do not need for CE if the subject looks interesting, but I am very happy to take required classes online when I think there would be very little new information.

I would like to see more time management and office organization courses. I always have too much paperwork sitting around in my room-sized inbox, that I never have time to get to.

Instead of handling this stuff, I spend time learning about the newest internet systems and software in order to stay current and relevant.

I strive to be a life long learner.  The last MCE course I took was a JOKE.  All we heard about was the instructor's failed attempts at online dating.  Waste of my time, but it was a "required" course.  I always try to take the courses on the latest techie stuff and new contracts, not so much for MCE, but just to know how stuff works.

I will admit that most years I take online classes approved by the Nebraska Real Estate Commission rather than attend in person. 

My reasons are just what you mentioned...waste of my time to attend a mundane class.  I can do mundane on the computer.  Add in the extra cost of driving and lunch and the last 3 renewals I did do online!!

I am always looking for great classes that educate me in areas I need (such as trusts) but many times over the years the material is average at best.

This next year (2015) I do plan on attending some classes in the metro areas to try and work out some referrals and that is the only reason for going in person.    

Thanks for letting us share our thoughts!!

You can never get enough education regardless of the subject, yet taking courses just to get designations doesn't make sense to me because most consumers don't know or care about an agents designations, they only care that you care about securing their goals and objectives. With the Internet, an education is only a click or two from being knowledgeable depending on your resources.

Personally, I love CE.  We are taught the ABC's (always be closing) but I prefer to always be learning.  Since I became a REALTOR 20 years ago I cannot think of one week that has gone by that I did not learn something new. Our business is everchanging, and we need to stay on top of those new trends ... I know I have a long way to go, but I have a teachable spirit and I try to learn new things whenever I can. Thank Rick for letting us share our opinions.

It's rare for me to learn much from CE classes. I wish that wasn't true because - like many who've commented here - I love to learn. There's too much stale information in most of the classes, repition of what we already know (or at least should know). We I attend a really informative class I always compliment the teacher because it's so refreshing.

With the constant changes in this industry (ie our software, our contracts, the government's tax credits and penalties, etc.)  KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! Sign me up

I chose my office because there is an emphasis on education.  I believe in life long learning!  There is no such thing as knowing it all , so we must constantly be in learning mode!

As an instructor I can tell you what my topic is that is garnering lots of interest, but it takes a learning curve exponentially for the instructor!  I teach green courses.  From an agent perspective, there isn't much information out there about selling homes with solar panels, leased specifically.  There is a lot an agent needs to know and there are pending lawsuites.  FYI!

Continuing Ed has become a big business in this country and we are paying the tab.

I look forward to my annual CE update--we always have so many changes in  our laws, our contracts, etc. it's really critical to stay on top of changes. I would love to see more practical CE classes regarding technology.

This was a wonderful read, glad I came across it in the archives. Thanks for sharing.