In March 2002, I had an opportunity for a project in New Mexico. I had had a license to practice there, so I decided to make an application to renew it. Before I could do that, though, I had to get current on my continuing education. New Mexico requires 24 hours of continuing education every two years, 16 of which must cover health, safety, and welfare issues. At the time, I had six. So I was in a time crunch.

The online courses provided by the AIA eClassroom are expensive. It cost me $100 for each two-learning-unit course. But in a matter of days I was able to get continuing education credits that New Mexico readily accepted, and they renewed my license. I got the job. So it was worth it to me.

I actually kind of enjoyed the fact that I could sit there listening to the lecture in my front room, so to speak. It was kind of interesting. Of course, you don't get the real feedback you would if you're attending a course in person. You can't ask questions. But I thought it was a great thing because there is no way I could have done it that quickly without the online courses.

Ed. note: Over the next two months, the AIA eClassroom will be adding to its offerings the 20 most popular presentations and seminars from the 2002 convention in Charlotte.

Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.