Continual Professional Development: Not just about ticking boxes

Picture of Calum

Calum

International Primary Teacher and Outdoor Learning Specialist, with over ten years experience. I hold an MSc in Outdoor Education and PGDE in Primary Education.

Continual Professional Development (CPD) isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s a journey of growth for both educators and students.

Facilitating a workshop at Practicle Pedaogies, Cologne 2024

Here are some things I have learned from others and from my own experiences:

🤝 Collaborative and Flexible – Effective CPD should be reflective and collaborative. When participants are actively involved in CPD sessions, it’s a game-changer. Tailoring your content to address staff needs fosters a more responsive learning environment.

📚 Loosen the Reins – Striking a balance between providing resources and encouraging creativity is vital. While resources are helpful, dictating too much can limit their ability to create lessons tailored to their students’ needs. Empower educators to blend structured ideas with their own creative touch.

💡 Engaging Training Environments – Personalising CPD experiences allows educators to apply their learning directly. By understanding the unique contexts of participants, we can foster impactful, meaningful learning experiences.