Professional Learning Goals:
You may wish to enhance or improve your current skills or knowledge set for a number of reasons, for instance to:

• Gain knowledge about a particular subject or topic;
• Gain knowledge about pedagogy;
• Improve your employment opportunities;
• Find out information about changes to the curriculum structure;
• Improve your technology skills;
• Network with like-minded individuals.

Formal and Informal Learning Opportunities

• Formal learning opportunities may include courses offered physically at an institution or even online and distance learning opportunities. These range from short courses to higher degree programmes and may be in different areas, including subject knowledge, teaching skills, or wider educational issues like management. Usually, these courses are well structured and offer facilitator support. Courses offered by universities or other educational organisations may provide accreditation, which could enhance your career prospects. Unfortunately, formal learning opportunities are often expensive.
• Informal learning opportunities often allow you the opportunity to tailor the resources to your own needs and learn at your own pace, as there is no set curriculum or time frame. And there is usually no associated cost. You could access a variety of teacher networks, websites, associations or forums online to find out more about the latest teaching ideas or you could start your own blog with several of your colleagues and invite them to collaborate with you on a number of topics.

Points to Consider when Choosing a Professional Development Path

• Identify your personal professional development goals and create a plan to assist you in achieving those goals.
• The Internet is the best starting point in terms of researching which option will be most suitable for you. It will assist you in learning about the various ICT resources available that can be used to increase your knowledge of subjects taught as well as pedagogy.
• Make sure you verify the quality and credibility of the course/resource/programme you have identified. Ask these questions as a starting point:

  -       Whose website/course/resource/programme is this?
  -       Why have they made it available?
  -       Is the information actual, relevant and appropriate to me?
  -       Is this the best option or my only option?

• Make sure you are aware of the cost factors involved in the approach you have chosen and are confident you have the required ICT skills to complete it. If not, draw on your peers and support staff who can assist you in the process.
• Be realistic about what you can achieve. Start with simple tasks and work up from there.
• Stick to the plan you have created.
• Make sure you set aside sufficient time to complete the planned professional development. Never underestimate the time it requires as more often than not it will take longer than you anticipated.
• Remember to persevere, even if you don’t have success in achieving your goals initially!