Online CPD
There is a growing use of online technology by Scottish educators in their professional development.
In increasing numbers, we are seeing the use of online technology to reflect on, find and meet their CPD needs.
A wide variety
National organisations recognise the value of enhancing face-to-face CPD with online professional learning. Below are some examples:
- Professional study (Journey to Excellence, Partnership with Employers)
- Online professional communities (Heads Together, MLFE)
- Enhancing face-to-face events (SLF Extra)
- Web logs (blogs) that keep people informed and offer additional opinion (visit LTSBlogs)
Local authorities have long taken advantage of intranets and the internet to promote local CPD (visit Highland Council for an excellent example).
At an individual level, some educators are looking to social software such as blogging (visit Don Ledingham’s learning log), wikis and micro-blogging tools (such as Twitter) to build their own personal development network.
In true collegiate spirit, we are seeing the appearance of ‘unconferences’ where there is no central agenda and colleagues attend, and contribute, both remotely and in person. Visit Teachmeet for an example of this in action.
The role of Glow
The national intranet, Glow, is likely to have as profound an effect on professional learning as it will on pupil learning. We are already seeing the development of professional communities (using GlowGroups), remote CPD events (using Glowmeet) and serendipitous CPD (using GlowChat and GlowMessenger).
CPDScotland project
CPDScotland project, a partnership between LTS and the National CPD Team, is
- helping bring together educators and CPD providers through the national database of CPD opportunities, CPDFind
- using collaborative tools on Glow and the LTS online service to provide innovative and flexible CPD opportunities
- developing the CPDReflect toolkit to help self-evaluation and the maintenance of CPD plans, records and portfolios.
Want more?
- Visit CPDCentral, the national professional community for CPD leaders.
- Use the more search options on CPDFind to see what online CPD opportunities are out there.
- Enrol in CPDReflect.
- Search for Glow in CPDFind to see how to improve your Glow skills.
- If you are an online CPD educator we want to hear from you! Drop us a line (cpdanswers@LTScotland.org.uk), or follow Con Morris on Twitter, or leave a comment below.
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Alasdair Andrew, 10 June 2009, 12.12 pm
We have a couple of new courses on line now and would be happy for the CPD Team or any one else, to take a look at what we are offering. Please contact me for free evaluation key. Reguards Alasdair