Key Area 2

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Continuing Professional Development or Staff Development is crucial to the successful adoption and effective use of ICTs. The key points from our discussion were

• We need to use the expertise of our own staff in local settings - Sharing of knowledge and skills at Service/School level is often a very effective methodology. Delivering CPD in-house is far more effective as it caters for local needs and staff are far more likely to attend.
• The aim need to be on increasing the skills of all staff and not just IT Teachers or those who readily engage in the use of ICTs
• It is critical that Staff take personal responsibility for their own development and learning
• Staff Development cannot be seen as simply about structured organised formal staff training - We need to clearly define it as being broad in scope combining formal and informal learning.
• Staff need to be consulted so that (a) There is ownership of the CPD process and (b) The CPD is designed to meet the needs. (e.g. - Staff Questionnaire used by AES as part of digital skills for learning workshops circulated at last meeting)