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FAQ
The following is a list of frequently asked questions related to the TIPP™ Learning System (the System). Click the links below or simply scroll down this page to reach the questions that interest you. If you don't see your question below then please e-mail your question to info@performanceprofessionals.com and we'll get back to you as soon as we possibly can.
- What is the TIPP™ Learning System?
An online learning assessment package that is provided by Performance Professionals, Inc. (PPI) and supports both sides of the learning equation - helping learners learn and teachers teach whether serving as a professional educator or in the Parent-Teacher role.
- What does the System include?
- A brief 18-question evaluation that assesses and addresses Users' key learning-style values,
- An introduction to the Playground Model™ of Learning (Loewen, 1991), and
- Learner, Instructor, and Parent-Teacher feedback packages that blend character and sensory information about an individual's or a group's learning-style values and dynamic, and offer specific strategies designed to help Users maximize their learning efforts and/or address the learning needs and differences of others.
- What is the Playground Model™ of Learning and why is it important?
In 1991, while watching people interact at a playground, Loewen realized that the playground was not only a place for people to play, but also a representation of any given learning environment and a microcosm of the human learning process. She focused on seven (7) key learning-style values - values that impact our choices and determine what we believe, particularly when presented with a learning opportunity and subsequently developed a learning model to reflects the idea that:
- How we learn is similar to how we play, and
- Our learning process is a dynamic combination of our character and sensory learning-style values and is ultimately a mind-body process.
The Playground Model™ of Learning is the foundation for the TIPP™ Assessment and the entire System.
- How was the System developed?
Rooted in a unique approach to traditional learning theory, the TIPP™ Assessment (the Assessment) was developed in 1991 by Learning Specialist and Performance Consultant, Shelly Loewen. The Assessment consists of seven (7) sub-scales, four (4) character-oriented learning-style values (Traditional, Ideational, Playful, Personal) and three (3) sensory-based learning-style values (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic). From 1991 through 1999, the paper version of the Assessment was administered face-to-face and scored manually. Feedback was provided orally to both individuals and groups.
Loewen observed the learning patterns and values of those who used the tool while developing effective and/or preferred learning strategies that corresponded with each person's Assessment score. Data was collected for almost 10 years before transforming the tool into a web-based program. Most of the 144 profiles were written during 2000 and were subsequently validated between January and July 2001 prior to launching the company web site - PerformanceProfessionals.com.
- What type of research (analysis) has been performed to determine validity and reliability?
Between 1991 and 1999, Loewen used the TIPP™ Assessment (the Assessment) and the related strategies in their original form (paper and oral presentation) with over 4,000 individuals. Based on client feedback and success stories, Loewen began assessing the validity of the tool. While observing frequent patterns within individual Assessment results, Loewen began to make informal comparisons between the tool and several well-known personality theories and learning-style perspectives (Jung, Kolb, Gregorc, Dunn, Gardner, etc.). Similarities between the Assessment and other tools (e.g., MBTI, LSI, Gregorc, etc.) became apparent - all measured some sort of human preference, style and/or personal values. Although the character values (cognitive/affective scale) are more easily compared to other tools, the sensory values (physiological scale) set the Assessment apart, making it difficult to validate by simple comparison.
- Norm population (3000): adult men and women, ages 18-72, with face validity results of 98.9%
- Predictive comparisons between TIPP™ Assessment and the MBTI can be seen in the table below (Example: When a User's score results in "Visual" being the highest sensory scale on the TIPP™ Assessment, then there is 38% chance that the same User will score as an "Introvert" on the MBTI):
| TIPP™ ASSESSMENT | CORRELATION PROBABILITY | MBTI |
|---|
| Visual | 38% | Introversion |
| Auditory | 81% | Extraversion |
| Kinesthetic | 75% | Extraversion
(toward the mid-line) |
| Traditional-Playful dynamic | 71% | Sensing |
| Personal-Ideational dynamic | 65% | Intuition |
| Ideational | 70% | Thinking |
| Personal | 90% | Feeling |
| Traditional | 100% | Judging |
| Playful | 55% | Perceiving |
In March 2001, a 3-week, blind test, retest reliability study was performed by students of a Tests & Measurements graduate course from George Fox University under the guidance of Wayne Adams, Ph.D. The sample was comprised of 72 adult learners. "Good" reliability was determined for both the 7 sub-scales of the tool and for the instrument overall. "All the scales have sufficient test-retest reliability and measure reasonably stable attributes" (Adams, June 2001). The results of this study showed that the Ideational sub-scale appears to be the most reliable while the Visual sub-scale appears to be the least reliable. None of the sub-scales showed any statistically significant correlation between one another, indicating that the scale totals are not related and/or are independent of each other. There is a 82% chance of scoring identically from test to retest - an excellent percentage, given that the odds are 1:143 (<1%).
- Who uses the System?
Companies, schools (universities, career, secondary), government agencies, trainers, professional coaches, consultants and now Parent-Teachers all use the System.
- How and why do customers use the System?
Companies and government agencies use the System through their human resources or professional development training programs to:
- Simplify learning theory and increase employee performance, productivity and satisfaction,
- Support leadership and/or career development (i.e., re-training, job-match),
- Match high performers with trainees for mentoring programs, and
- Customize internal training programs.
Schools use the System with their staff and students to:
- Increase student retention,*
- Train instructional staff (teachers, tutors, student service professionals),
- Support student-teacher success, and
- Boost overall employee effectiveness and customer service.
Consultants and professional coaches use the System through their services to:
- Assess the learning needs of their clients with a tool that compliments standard personality indicators (i.e., MBTI, Strong, etc.),
- Customize professional services, and
- Communicate more effectively with their clients.
Parent-Teachers use the System to:
- Gain a better understanding of their personal learning process and utilize the learning strategies to maximize their learning efforts,
- Recognize how their learning-style values and preferred Parent-Teacher roles can both positively and negatively impact the children they teach, and
- Help kids learn.
*Note: Career school customers indicate a 5-20% increase in annual student retention and/or program completion (2002-2005).
- What makes the System different from other assessment tools?
- The System is simple and easy to use:
- It is on-line, the Assessment is automatically scored and the user's profile appears onscreen immediately;
- It allows those at the Instructor level to view other User's profile summaries, which include specific teaching, and communication strategies designed for individuals or groups;
- It offers greater depth than other learning-style inventories;
- It compliments well-known personality indicators (i.e., MBTI, Strong, etc.);
- It provides a built in research function that allows customers to perform blind studies where participants can take the Assessment and then repeat the testing process without receiving their profile results.
- The System is reasonably priced, allowing both small and large organizations the flexibility of paying for each item as used or license the entire System for a set monthly rate.
- What is required to use the System?
Whether large companies, schools or independent contractors, corporate customers must establish a TIPP™ Learning System User Agreement with PPI prior to using the System. User Agreements require at least one (1) Account Manager per agreement. To "qualify" as an Account Manager one must attend the 2-day TIPP™ Instructor Qualification Program (TIQP). Corporate customers may test-drive the System for 6 months after participating in the 4-hour web/teleconference mini-TIQP.
Note: Corporate customers may contract with a qualified TIPP™ Instructor (i.e., trainer, consultant, coach, etc.) and have them facilitate the tool.
- Tuition for the mini-TIQP is $325 per person (Note: This is a prerequisite for the full TIQP).
- Tuition for the TIQP is $1295 per person (group discounts are available).
While Performance Professionals highly recommends that all Users receive personalized support from a qualified TIPP™ Instructor, individual customers that enter the System through the public access portal and pay by credit card to take the TIPP™ Assessment and receive their Learning-Character™ Profile do not have to attend the TIQP.
- What kinds of licensures are available?
Corporate customers have the opportunity to establish a "per use" agreement, making it possible for them to pay for their monthly use as they go. They may also establish an "unlimited use" agreement that is based on estimated annual use, offering customers an easy way to budget by establishing a monthly payment plan for the year. Finally, large customers that estimate 1000 users per year or more can take advantage of the "bulk rate" agreement. This licensure is particularly good for schools or companies that have a high volume of new Users.
- How much does the System cost?
The type of user agreement determines the licensure fee. The current packages and retail rates for each item available to individual/unsponsored Users that enter through our public access portal can be seen in the table below:
| ITEM | PACKAGE CONTENTS | | COST
|---|
| Learning-Character™ Profile Overview (LCPO) | TIPP™ Assessment & LCPO | $ 9.95 |
| Learning-Character™ Profile for Parent-Teachers Overview | TIPP™ Assessment & LCPPTO | $ 14.95 |
| Learning-Character™ Profile (LCP) | TIPP™ Assessment & LCP | $ 19.95 |
| Learning-Character™ Profile for Parent-Teachers | TIPP™ Assessment & LCPPT | $ 24.95 |
| Learning-Character™ Profile for Instructors (LCPI) | TIPP™ Assessment, LCPI & access to LCPS | $ 39.95 |
The current packages and "per use" retail rates for each item available to our corporate/sponsored Users (companies, schools, consultants, coaches, etc.) can be seen in the table below:
| Learning-Character™ Profile (LCP) | TIPP™ Assessment & LCP | $ 29.95 |
| Learning-Character™ Profile for Instructors (LCPI) | TIPP™ Assessment, LCPI | $ 34.95 |
| Learning-Character™ Profile Summary (LCPS) | Bundled into the cost of any LCP or LCPI (Note: The LCPS can only be accessed by Instuctor level Users.) | No added charge |
| Group Learning-Character™ Profile Summary (GLCPS) | Accessible by Instructor-level Users | $ 79.95 |
- How can corporate customers personalize their accounts to match their corporate identity?
PPI can custom/private label (co-brand) our corporate customer's accounts so that they display the organization's logo and color scheme on the "Sign In" page and throughout the System. The annual fee for this service is $300. For more information about co-branding,
go to http://PerformanceProfessionals.com and then click on "TIPP™ Learning System" button (left) or the "TIPP™" link (below) to access the TIPP™ Tour.
- How does PPI protect the privacy of those using the System?
Performance Professionals values the security and privacy of our customers' information (personal, financial, or otherwise). The personal information collected from all customers is for providing them with comprehensive access to the TIPP™ Learning System only and is used for that purpose alone. We do not sell or share customer information with other organizations and make every effort to protect our customers' privacy.
The System uses the highest standard of secure web technology. Users have the option of limiting access to their profiles (individually or as a part of a group) and opting out of email correspondence.
- How can I receive a personalized interpretation/coaching session regarding my profile?
If you have received access to the System through your school, business or professional organization, then we recommend that you contact the person named at the bottom of your TIPP™ registration email and request an individualized interpretation session directly from them. If however you have entered the System through the public access portal, please submit your request for an individual coaching session to Performance Professionals
info@performanceprofessionals.com - we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.
- Is this tool appropriate for children?
The System is appropriate for people 16 and older. However, the Learning-Character™ Profile Overview (LCPO) was designed to be kid-friendly and can be used with children 12 and up.
If you are interested in helping kids learn we recommend that you enter the System through the public access portal and purchase the Learning-Character™ Profile for Parent-Teachers or the Learning-Character™ Profile for Parent-Teachers Overview. Both of these products can provide you with meaningful information and help you intentionally facilitate the learning process for children.
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