DigitALAD Hanbook_All sections_FV

13 C4. Digital Continuous Professional Development Digital CPD refers to the ongoing improvement of your teaching practice using digital resources Examples of use: Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is a widely used term in the 21 st century working world. Learning is a constant process, and adult educators need to be engaged in this cycle to keep developing their abilities. Some general activities that indicate CPD using technology are: • Using the internet to seek training opportunities (e.g., tutorials, MOOCs, webinars, seminars, etc.). • Using online information to focus on a subject. • Using online sources to expand andragogy methods. • Using digital tools and resources to enhance professional efficiency. • Using digital environments to provide training to others. How can you enhance your CPD? Doug Lemov 4 advises us to increase the impact of CPD by applying the following techniques: 1. Practising the 80-20 rule : Spend more time improving the 20% of things that are most critical and responsible for the most considerable amount of value that the other 80%. In other words, stick to your priorities first. 2. Focus on specific things : Work intensively on a certain skill which requires strategic thinking and self-discipline. You first need to identify the key competence you want to improve, isolate it and be persistent. 3. Facilitate feedback circles : One of the most essential elements of formative assessment is feedback and consecutive practice. Innovative ways to make use of the competence in action We live in an era of rapid changes and improvements, while technology is rarely not part of innovations. We all need to progress with these changes and adapt quickly to upcoming trends, whether these include tools, techniques, skills, knowledge, attitudes etc. Continually improving your digital skills is one of your responsibilities towards learners. • Search for and attend online courses for specific topics you would like to improve. • Seek help from the IT expert of your organisation, a colleague, or even a student. • Apply newly gained knowledge in class and ask for feedback from your students. 4 Lemov, D. (2012) Practice Perfect. New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc