topic Re: ArchiCAD Accreditation in Licensing

AC certification

Petros Ioannou — Thu, 25 May 2023 16:25:13 GMT

Does Graphisoft has an official standard for qualifying users with Archicad knowledge? And if so is there a sort of test or anything else to prove that a student has attended AC lessons or seminars?
I am asking this because a lot of students and professionals who came to the drafting/drawing school where I am teaching usually ask for some sort of verification for their training.
IMHO the best way to verify this is your everyday performance in a practice but people usually need some sort of papers to prove this.
....or sometimes because they just like to collect diplomas!

Petros

ArchiCAD Accreditation

Steve Jepson — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 16:04:46 GMT

We need something like this in the USA too.

Stefan, have you seen this?
Is there anything like this where you teach?

http://www.archicadaccreditation.com/

Re: AC certification

Steve Jepson — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 16:25:29 GMT

check this out. we need more programs like this world wide.

http://www.archicadaccreditation.com/

Re: AC certification

Karl Ottenstein — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 17:52:31 GMT

Steve wrote:
check this out. we need more programs like this world wide.

http://www.archicadaccreditation.com/

I agree that a program is needed, and the goals (listed as "Method" in the above page) are good, but the implementation doesn't make sense IMHO.

Testing someone's competence at using AC by means of a submitted model, layouts, views, listing and screen snapshots (the current criteria at:
http://www.archicadaccreditation.com/applicantguide.html
hardly accomplishes the goals IMHO. If someone took 1 hour to create a model and someone else fumbled around and took 20 hours to create the same model, evaluating them based on the model would lead to the conclusion that their skills were equal.

Look at the criteria evaluation form at:
http://www.archicadaccreditation.com/criteria.html
and imagine how it could be filled out in any way that meaningfully assesses anyone's competency. Among other things, the evaluation includes some categories based on the use of modules. Does this mean that the applicant should artificially introduce modules into the model just so that they can have high scores ("Used lots of modules!") in those categories, even if the use was inappropriate?

Further, only by an oral type exam can you throw exceptional conditions at someone and see if they know how to deal with them - either by workaround or telling you that it cannot be done.

Finally, the goals ("Method") on the original URL include these items:

-Establishment of Competency Standards for teachers
-Develop the understanding of the Building Simulation concept
-Set criteria for accrediting existing teachers

Standards can be developed, of course, but teachers cannot be evaluated without personal observation and interviews by an accreditation team.

All of this could all be an expensive proposition, but I think it is needed worldwide, perhaps with uniform methods and criteria established by GS.

My 2 cents,
Karl

Re: ArchiCAD Accreditation

Karl Ottenstein — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 17:55:21 GMT

Re: AC certification

Erika Epstein — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 04:29:56 GMT

Karl,
How do other programs handle education?

Re: AC certification

Djordje — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 05:17:30 GMT

Topics merged.

Please, Talkers - first read, then post. It is VERY likely that the thread you want already exists, maybe with different wording, but the same subject.

Thanks,

Your horrible moderator

Re: AC certification

Erika Epstein — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 05:32:26 GMT

Djordje,
You are a great moderator
Keep cracking that whip!

Re: AC certification

Djordje — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 05:34:47 GMT

Erika wrote:
Djordje, You are a great moderator
Keep cracking that whip!

More into gentle sunsets than black leather 😉

Thanks

Re: AC certification

Karl Ottenstein — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 05:40:03 GMT

Erika wrote:
Karl,
How do other programs handle education?

I'm not that familiar with software or technical certification ... my only experience has been in evaluating university faculty for hire, tenure and reappointment.

Microsoft's is the only certification program that I've heard of:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/default.asp
and it is quite extensive in the areas that are covered. I see that they have a Microsoft Certified Trainer certification
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mct/guide/

and that most of the technical certifications require exams. All of this has fees attached. Wonder if this is a profit center or a service for Microsoft.

Googling on 'autocad certification' shows that there is such a thing there. I don't find anything for Revit. But, interestingly, Graphisoft's own ArchiFM has a certification process:
http://www.graphisoft.com/products/archifm/cert/

Karl

Re: AC certification

Erika Epstein — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 06:36:12 GMT

I've heard of such a certification in the U.S., but I am not sure what the test/procedure is and what the certification realistically means. Didn't Link take and pass it?
Where is Link these days anyway?

I agree with Karl's comments; the charts posted don't really evaluate how well someone has mastered the essence of ArchiCAD. There is much more to mastering the program, or even part of it, than knowing what a tool does. It is knowing how to apply the various tools at one's disposal, evaluating the pros and cons of the many techniques available at our disposal to create the final product. Ultimately, how well is one utilizing the program to communicate one's ideas.

Teaching is the flip side. Just because one knows something, doesn't always make one a good teacher.

Think about the manuals we currently have available, and not just from Graphisoft, to learn the program, well..believe it or not, they have improved over the years.

Not that this is a poll, and we/I have digressed a bit from the original question, but my vote is for Karl to start helping Graphisoft out with this on-going problem.
Karl happens to be that rare individual who is both knowledgeable about Archicad(its related programs), is a programmer, uses ArchiCAD, as well as being an excellent teacher.

Re: AC certification

Erika Epstein — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 06:40:40 GMT

Djordje wrote:
Erika wrote:

More into gentle sunsets

Thanks

Here's a california sunset for you.

Re: AC certification

Petros Ioannou — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 17:35:26 GMT

I am still waiting for a GS comment regarding this subject!

Can someone by his own give AC Accreditation? Does he have an Accreditation from GS to certify users? If yes, how does someone gets it?

Petros

Re: AC certification

Karl Ottenstein — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 17:44:04 GMT

Erika wrote:
I've heard of such a certification in the U.S., but I am not sure what the test/procedure is and what the certification realistically means. Didn't Link take and pass it?

Ah, you've hit on a major source of irritation to me. Graphisoft never announced that they would provide any kind of certification, yet GS US (Boston) did certify Link. I congratulate my friend and think it's great that he has this deserved status!

But, I should note that while Link's business card says "Graphisoft's first Authorized Consultant" ...
http://www.archilink.net/
...Link is in fact the ONLY 'authorized consultant' , because Graphisoft never formalized their certification mechanism. A year after I was told that details would be worked out "in two weeks", the mechanism still has not been announced.

Re: AC certification

Karl Ottenstein — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 19:24:12 GMT

Erika wrote:
Karl happens to be that rare individual who is both knowledgeable about Archicad(its related programs), is a programmer, uses ArchiCAD, as well as being an excellent teacher.

Wow, thanks, Erika.

(I was so wired up about the certification thing that I forgot to read the rest of your message!)

Karl

Re: AC certification

Anonymous — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 22:25:42 GMT

Karl wrote:
Ah, you've hit on a major source of irritation to me. Graphisoft never announced that they would provide any kind of certification, yet GS US (Boston) did certify Link. I congratulate my friend and think it's great that he has this deserved status!

I know what you mean Karl. Link is a good guy, and a skilled and talented ArchiCAD expert. But it is a bit annoying to have a certification on record that no one else can get. It seems that it would be good for Graphisoft to establish some official form of acknowledgment for those who have mastered the use of the program.

Re: AC certification

Anonymous — Sat, 02 Oct 2004 11:07:41 GMT

Yep - sure would be nice if there were a _possibility_ to gain formal (GS) accreditation?

... but maybe GS are worried that users might start to expect Resellers to have access to an Archicad-expert for problem solvers. Resellers (generally) in the West may be very strong on program skills but in 'less developed' markets many resellers (although there are several positive exceptions) know more about Autocad than Archicad ....

- Stuart

Re: AC certification

Djordje — Sat, 02 Oct 2004 17:24:38 GMT

StuartJames wrote:
Yep - sure would be nice if there were a _possibility_ to gain formal (GS) accreditation?

It used to be possible earlier, and was (if I remember those days correctly) organized through the Graphisoft Center scheme, that is defunct for some time now. All that I have left of it is a once black polo shirt with embroidered logo ...

Re: AC certification

Akos Pfemeter — Wed, 06 Oct 2004 20:52:16 GMT

Dear Archi-Talkers,

Let me inform you that Graphisoft is evaluating possible options for launching a certification program for ArchiCAD experts. With your input you can help us specify the requirements for this program.

An important issue is the form of exam you need to take to qualify for being a certified expert. Multiple choice tests seem to be industry standard (see Microsoft).

Another issue is the organization in which the exams would be taken. A very simple option is that we set up a website for the tests and you take the exam upon registration from home. Danger of cheating is an issue that has to be considered in this case.

It is also a question that how many levels of expertise we could/should test. To a certain level it is easy to test, but that level may not be sufficient to call a certified expert.

We would like to encourage you to comment on these issues and help us making a system that best fits your needs.

Re: AC certification

Aaron Bourgoin — Wed, 06 Oct 2004 23:03:24 GMT

Once Graphisoft's Certification Policy is established, I can see a future where news stories liek this will be commonplace:

SAN FRANCISCO - About 700 of the world's best ArchiCADers began battling it out Wednesday, as the fourth annual World Archi Games got underway in San Francisco.

The five-day annual event is a culmination of national competitions held around the world and pits the best players against each other using the widely popular ArchiCAD 10.

Divided up into eight championship tournaments, the event is more than a quest for high scores or a button-mashing fest: to win, participants must demonstrate a range of skills – such as advanced strategizing, adaptation, quick reflexes and hand-eye co-ordination – which they've likely been honing for years. Most spend upwards of 20 hours per week modeling.

"It's basically a lot like chess in the sense that's there's a lot of strategy involved and you have to stay concentrated, focused on the game," Alexandre Hulak told CBC News.

After two years of training and winning online competitions, the 19-year-old qualified for this year's 20-strong Canadian team and will play architect at the CAD world's version of the Olympics.

"It's going to be 67 of the best players from [62] countries," he said of his particular tournament.

"I'm expecting [it] to be the highest competition ever this year. I want to do the best I can and not hold back".

The incentive to win is high: in addition to total cash prizes of about $400,000 US, winners get global bragging rights and could go on to professional careers, like Canadian Guillaume Patry.

Five years ago, the Quebec-born Patry became the ArchiCAD world champion and was offered a job as a professional modeler in South Korea, initially making about $100,000 a year. His annual salary is now estimated at about $500,000 and, as the star of a Korean ArchiCAD TV program, needs body guards to protect him from his fans.

The 2004 edition is the first time the competition is being held outside of the 5D CAD Mecca of South Korea. Organizers will take subsequent events to other cities worldwide, including Singapore in 2005.

The World Archi Games wind down Sunday, when the 2004 winners will be crowned.