Professional Development
Professional development (PD) is a broad term used to describe ways to keep current with changing technology and practices in a profession. With mentoring, professional growth plans, professional learning communities, communities of practice, community based learning, study abroad, coaching, study groups, workplace-embedded PD, exchange programs, learning consortia, workshops, seminars, conferences, conventions, technology driven and/or supported approaches, credit courses, degrees, certificates and diplomas PD attracts billions of dollars in annual economies. PD can be top-down or bottom-up. It can encounter resistance or be embraced. It can be entertaining, informative and/or transformative (Mezirow , 1991). This part of the web site will review what the research tells us about the effectiveness of professional development approaches.
As the Teaching Quality Standards reveal, professional development must keep teachers updated in many areas. Although what follows is based on standards in Alberta, similar documents can be found around the country, continent and world.
Professional Development in the 21st Century
Professional Development in Leadership
Professional Development & Awareness of Your Profession
Professional Development Opportunities in your Area
