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The COVID-19 pandemic created an environment where the majority of continuing medical education (CME) and continuing professional development (CPD) activities needed to be delivered digitally. Producing digital materials for 16 separate learning activities (four learning journeys for each of four topic areas) in 2021 provided challenges and raised points of interest and discussion for a small, Italy-based provider of CME and CPD. This study presents outcome metrics from four live, interactive webinars. A variety of promotional efforts, including the strategic use of social media, generated interest and participation; feedback from the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education standard questionnaire to participants provided rates of satisfaction; subject knowledge and self-reported competence was measured by responses to pre- and post-event and follow-up (after 3 months) questionnaires. Post-event analysis of processes prompted introspection on the learning journey outcomes and methods of analysis. This paper discusses these observations, including potential innovations for future activities (e.g. reconfiguring the e-learning platform to capture time spent on learning activities), and also discusses issues in learner behaviour that impact CME provision and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like other health care practices, the increasing complexity in dentistry signals the need for a reconceptualisation of dentist professional learning. Professional dental bodies, at large, still privilege formal continuing professional development (CPD) provisions focusing on off-the-job activities despite growing evidence that much invaluable learning occurs through and at work. In exploring the two common dentist CPD approaches, this article critiques the narrow conceptions of learning inscribed in these frameworks, which are individualistic and acquisition oriented. Drawing on a vignette of dentists' professional practice at work, this paper argues for a shift in discussion from an emphasis on which CPD models work best to what counts as professional learning for dentists. To flesh out these arguments, the paper proposes using an innovative conceptual approach through the lens of 'complexity thinking' and the concept of 'co-present group'. Through this lens, the reframing of thinking brings out two key features of learning: Emergent learning cannot be specified in advance and much significant learning is typically beyond an individual's learning. Given the learning potentials of group practice and group learning, the paper concludes with suggestions to support dentists' lifelong learning at work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting professional development of in-service language teachers is key to maintaining education quality. However, extant studies on test-based continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers do not emphasise primary school contexts in China, leading to difficulties in the professional development of this teacher group. Therefore, this paper reports the influences of CPD, based on the Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) programme for in-service primary school English teachers in China, particularly concerning dynamic changes in their professional beliefs and self-efficacy due to participation in the programme. In this study, 42 English teachers were recruited from 15 primary schools to participate in the CPD programme. Through focus groups and teachers' journals, the findings showed that the teachers experienced complex transformations in their professional beliefs and self-efficacy, and revealed some influential factors of the change. This paper provides suggestions to optimise CPD programmes and facilitate long-term professional development for teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reiterates the importance of the role of multisource feedback (MSF) in continuing medical education/continuing professional development (CME/CPD) and its impact on doctors' performance and patient experience globally. It summarises a unique initiative of robust utilisation of internationally recognised multisource feedback tools in an outpatient child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) in Qatar. The process involved the effective adoption and administering of the General Medical Council's (GMC) self-assessment questionnaire (SQ), patient questionnaire (PQ), and colleague questionnaire (CQ) followed by the successful incorporation of these tools in CME/CPD. The original version of the PQ questionnaire and the instructions to the patient document were translated into Arabic through the blind back-translation technique. This initiative of introducing gold-standard MSF tools and processes into clinical practice, among other quality-improvement projects, has contributed to the improvement of service standards and doctors' clinical practice. Patient satisfaction was measured through the annual patient experience analysis using the Experience of Service Questionnaire (ESQ) whereas changes in doctors' performance were evaluated by comparing annual appraisal scores before and after implementation of this initiative. We have demonstrated that when MSF is obtained impartially and transparently using recognised and valid tools, it can improve patient experience and enhance doctors' performance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When centred on the professional exchange of skills and knowledge, overseas volunteering can be a beneficial form of professional development. In contrast to voluntourism where volunteers buy an overseas experience, professional-based overseas volunteering centres on professional collegiality and skill exchange which leads to greater professional engagement for all participants. This research identifies the learning arising from a short-term overseas volunteering exchange between Ireland and India. The volunteers are Irish teachers working with their professional colleagues in India. Intentional professional learning related to their professional contexts can be seen through the themes of the theory/practice divide, experimentation and innovation, and the uncovering of knowledge. It is argued that the recruitment and selection of volunteers by the NGO are viewed as essential stage where attitudes are addressed. Data were collected by in-depth interviews as well as accompanying volunteer groups to India. The paper concludes with a summary of how volunteer professional exchanges need to be distinguished from other forms of volunteering; the work undertaken has benefit to both communities as it reflects collegial values and provides opportunities for professional learning through collaboration and reflection. Differentiation between forms of overseas volunteering is necessary to recognise the positive outcomes of professional volunteering exchanges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuing professional development (CPD) within a low resourced education environment necessitates context specific and needs-driven learning, particularly in Physical Education (PE) where personal and systemic barriers impede negatively on teachers and children's educational experiences. This paper provides evidence-based guidelines as to how an action learning approach to CPD for PE might empower teachers to direct their own learning within low resource environments. A participatory action learning and action research design, using qualitative data generation methods, guided the inquiry. Ten teachers from two low resourced schools in South Africa, through participation in an action learning process, ultimately deduced five guidelines from their reflective enquiry to guide teachers to collaborate to transform their teaching of PE. The action learning approach to CPD supports teachers to take ownership of and responsibility for their CPD within the subject of PE. Ultimately, learning how to learn, enables teachers to champion sustainable change through establishing ongoing communities of practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teacher and headteacher assessments and professional development are deemed critical levers for improving quality education in an increasing number of countries and contexts. However, prioritising improvement is not always evident, given that sometimes those subjected to assessments are not effectively informed about their performance (e.g. from national teacher examinations) or how to improve their work via feedback. This paper explores the bridging role of feedback concerning teacher and headteacher assessments and continuing professional development in the Mexican context, where scarce research exists. This mixed-methods research contributes evaluation evidence of Mexico's 2013–2018 education reform, including high-stakes staff assessments and individual feedback reports. Survey data from 122 primary school teachers and headteachers and thirteen interviews with teachers, headteachers and policymakers indicate the feedback report made it difficult to distinguish between poor and proficient performance and identify strengths and weaknesses. Challenges regarding suitable continuing professional development following assessment feedback are put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing interest in the higher education sector in publishing pedagogical research has led to a focus on professional development for staff who wish to engage in this endeavour. This paper describes and evaluates a specific programme designed to help university staff to prepare and submit a high-quality paper to a peer-reviewed journal. Features of the programme that contributed to outcomes include the systematic, structured support provided by the programme and facilitator and the opportunity to work with a peer support group, as well as the use of technology to allow participation across campuses. The positive outcomes of the programme in terms of publications and professional and personal benefits for participants are outlined. The programme resulted in peer-reviewed and other publications, as well as increasing the participants’ knowledge and confidence related to academic writing and publishing. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background:There is worldwide interest in improving the effectiveness of teachers and teaching. This paper considers two strands of that interest. It revisits the impact of using enhanced feedback from teachers to pupils as a way of improving attainment, and it looks at the feasibility of teachers using research evidence to create their own interventions. Current evidence on the causal impact of effective feedback on learning is unclear: many studies have mixed results, are small in scale, lack randomisation or are not conducted in real classroom conditions.Purpose:The aim of this paper is to describe the experience of schools as they engage with research evidence to support their own enquiry into the effectiveness of feedback in the classroom.Research design:This study took place over one academic year, involving nine treatment schools in one local authority. The study involved teachers themselves using research findings to create an intervention, which took, as its focus, enhanced feedback in the classroom. Test results from these schools were compared to the results in 5 participating comparator schools, to the 49 other schools in the borough and to all state-funded primary schools in England.Results:Although teachers showed that they could engage with research evidence, the study indicated that the process was complex in practice. In addition, the independent impact evaluation suggested that enhanced feedback in itself does not necessarily lead to improved pupil test performance.Discussion and conclusions:The paper considers some of the challenges faced by teachers as they attempted to use research evidence, and discusses implications for schools wishing to use research evidence in practice. The findings of the study suggest that it may be feasible for practitioners to use research evidence to inform their own practice. However, to do it well would require clearer guidance, professional development and modelling of any strategies suggested. These findings have implications for policy on teacher development, and for the research community to make research outputs more comprehensible and accessible to research users. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Geography is a subject in the Primary Curriculum in Ireland. It is taught in all schools with some examples of engaging and challenging practices, characterised by enquiry-based learning (EBL) of a range of content, with learning occurring inside and out. In other settings, Geography is more limited in scope and children's geographical experiences in school are minimal. There is a myriad of reasons for this range of practice. One significant feature is the lack of funding or provision for continuing professional development (CPD) for primary teachers in Geography. This paper outlines a project to create school-based CPD for teachers in primary geography. The results of the project are that the school-based CPD, designed by teachers can provide support them to enact the curriculum as well as providing engaging, interesting and enjoyable experiences for teachers. The findings also suggest that such CPD can also have a positive impact on children's experiences of Geography, through enhanced practices by teachers. The implications for such findings are discussed in relation to curriculum change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the need to ensure that all archaeologists receive focused training and development opportunities from the start of their professional careers. The paper describes simple routes to provide relevant archaeological training for all site staff, within their day-to-day work environment in the working week. A 'training hour' is proposed as a mutual commitment to embed training within the working week and throughout the year, with shared ownership of training and a personal log linked to a scheme such as the BAJR skills passport. This paper is based on a presentation made at the Winchester University 2012 day conference '21st Century Archaeologists'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an expectation that we will keep on learning and developing as practitioners. That we will grow in confidence and expertise moving from just qualified to expert in a seemingly smooth transition. Unfortunately like many things in life developing as a professional is not that simple, this paper looks at how we develop as learners and professionals and some of the complexities behind many a learning journey. There will be a number of learning activities attached to this paper some will be appropriate for individuals to undertake, others are more aimed at managers and senior managers and others could be used as themes for departmental discussions or even regional meetings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical education (PE) researchers demonstrate the benefits of collaborative continuing professional development (CPD) through the cultivation of professional learning communities (PLCs). Furthermore, this body of research reflects teachers' empowerment as a current concern in the literature about PLCs. Although the importance of teachers' empowerment in PLCs is recognised, there is much to learn about the facilitator's actions to create spaces for empowerment. The purpose of this paper is to explore the facilitator's actions in supporting PE teachers' empowerment in a PLC. Action research framed this project in Brazil. Participants included six PE teachers, a facilitator, and a critical friend. Data sources included daily observations and reflections from weekly meetings with the teachers and the critical friend. Data were analysed using inductive and thematic methods. By engaging a Freirean view as a theoretical framework, it was understood that the teachers needed to empower themselves to survive in their reality, learn in order to be recognised at school, and act to change their micro-context. Accordingly, three themes represented the facilitator's actions to support teachers' empowerment: (a) creating a horizontal relationship with teachers through dialogue; (b) understanding and respecting teachers' learning and (c) struggling with teachers in their reality as an act of solidarity. These facilitator actions contributed primarily to building a democratic space where the teachers could name, critique and negotiate the barriers they faced. Although creating spaces for teachers' empowerment provided the opportunity for improving teachers' PE knowledge, these spaces fundamentally supported teachers in seeking better professional conditions, organising themselves as a community and pursuing social change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reporting on a mixed methods study carried out in China, this article explores the impact of an educational initiative some years after delivery. Taking data from a three staged longitudinal study, this paper facilitates debate about the nature of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) delivered in a transnational context. To promote such debate a typology of impact is proposed. Using initial evaluation data the researchers designed a comprehensive and detailed evaluation tool to measure the long- term impact of the training. The researchers were interested in identifying whether participation in the learning programmes, designed to encourage social constructivist approach to teaching, had a sustained impact on teachers' and whether these changes transferred into classroom practice. In an attempt to enrich research into transnational interventions such as this, an index of impact was produced and developed to create a typology for the evaluation of educational CPD when offered in an international arena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues the competing ways in which continuing professional development (CPD) is currently practised in schooling settings in England is a product of the complex social conditions within which teachers work and learn, and teachers’ efforts to make sense of these conditions. Specifically, the paper draws upon research into the teacher learning practices, and conditions of practice, of a group of 18 teachers from one inner-city comprehensive secondary school in the British Midlands. To make sense of competing approaches to CPD within the school, the paper analyses these teachers’ experiences in light of Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of social practices as contested. The research reveals competing approaches to teacher CPD in relation to the management of teachers’ CPD, the focus upon improving test scores and the modes of learning in which teachers participate. The paper shows how conflicting pressures and demands in the context within which teachers work, and teachers’ responses to these demands, contribute to contested practices in and across these domains, both arising from and resulting in what is described as a ‘hybridised’ habitus. The research gestures towards the need to cultivate conditions conducive to more educationally oriented, critical, situated and collaborative CPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper outlines the use of Learning Language and Loving It™ - The Hanen Program® for Early Years Educators/Teachers (LLLI) with Early Years Educators (EYEs) as part of a community-based early years Continuing Professional Development (CPD) intervention. Trainer sensitivity to the cultural use of questions by EYEs was used as a means to raise awareness of their interactions with young children, and this emerged as a key catalyst for reflective practice and improved interaction with children. EYEs reported increased awareness of their own interaction skills while recognizing the limiting effect of directive questioning in conversations with children. In sessions, they shared their challenges and outlined positive effects of child-led interactions. This paper argues that LLLI provided time and space in group and individual sessions to allow participants to explore their own communication practices and concludes that CPD with EYEs should place more emphasis on their role in developing oral language, literacy and social skills through interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to expound on an innovative approach to cultivating work-based Doctorates and Masters of Philosophy degrees, which involves close collaboration between industry organisations and a tertiary institution. This paper also reports on an examination of the programme's structural ability to help develop the learning capability of the candidates involved. This network model inspires and facilitates these work-based candidates’ research actions and builds individual (and organisational) knowledge while enhancing their learning capability. The primary considerations for higher education practice revolve around work-based research degrees being actively and fittingly supported by all direct stakeholders and the management of those stakeholder relationships. This approach to fostering work-based research degrees provides tertiary institutions pragmatic avenues to be more relevant to and valued by industry, while facilitating the development of highly educated and skilled industry-based scholars. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper considers the implications of UK policy approaches to ICT (Information Communication Technology) in education by exploring the views of early years (0–8 years) educators about their ICT CPD (continuing professional development) needs. UK policy approaches to ICT may be visualised as a ‘house that Jack built’. The policies are cumulative and they can be interpreted as being flawed due to their contradictory nature. As ICT educational policies in the UK are shaped by politicians, the contradictory policy approaches are a consequence of different political ideals. Recent research has identified a significant gap in early years practitioners’ knowledge and their understanding of pedagogical practice in relation to technology. Attention is drawn to the importance of facilitating an innovative use of technology within pedagogy in early years. For this to happen it is important to facilitate CPD that responds to the needs of early years pedagogical practitioners. The paper explores how CPD can be developed in this area by reflecting on the views of selected participants about their technology CPD needs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper considers the role and development of meaningful dialogue in digitally mediated learning (DML) in UK higher education for teachers. It argues that more research is vital in the field of meaningful dialogue if we are to avoid the risk that pedagogic values in DML become increasingly driven by market forces toward ‘data vending’ without sufficient contextualisation of learning as social practice. Three data collection sources are interpreted. The first is the narrativised experiences of a DML development team transforming an MA Education award; the second is some key reflections on the experiences of MA participants on a newly transformed DML module and the third is a brief analysis of student results and evaluations. The key focus for the paper is how important and challenging it can be to nurture a dialogic academic community online that clearly supports and nurtures the professional development of teachers across the education sector. Using a methodological approach incorporating Ulrich’s notion of ‘reflective competence’, the paper considers the pitfalls of transforming face-to-face modules into DML, arguing that both staff and participant preparation for DML must be at the forefront of such transformations. The paper concludes with a consideration of the vital role in DML of pedagogies which promote emotional engagement and ‘kindness’. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Vocational education and training (VET) teachers and trainers have a key role in ensuring that workers in business and industry are upskilled and up-to-date in a rapidly changing industrial, economic and technological environment. It follows that the VET practitioners should themselves keep up to date, not only with industry developments but also with the pedagogical skills needed to embrace technology and adapt to new sites for learning. However, in Australia and other Western nations, continuing professional development for VET practitioners has been spasmodic and not always well supported, in contrast to the ways it has been established and accepted in other professions. This paper examines the professional development approaches of some of those other professions and identifies the key features that might be adopted in any genuine attempt to develop a more purposeful and systematic provision of ongoing learning for teachers and trainers in VET. The paper concludes with a number of recommendations aimed at Australian VET practitioners in particular, but which might be applicable to VET in any developed country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2004, the International Federation of Accountants introduced International Education Standard 7 (IES 7), requiring all member professional accounting bodies to adopt mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) schemes. IES 7 places responsibility on individual accounting practitioners to maintain, develop and certify appropriate professional competence. A number of studies have examined practitioner engagement with formal CPD mechanisms and highlighted differing levels of engagement vis-à-vis professional roles. However, the nature of this difference had not been explained. This paper addresses this gap and examines perceptions of professional competence and associated CPD practices. Participants were selected from one professional accounting body, Chartered Accountants Ireland, and a phenomenographic approach was used to obtain and analyse experiential accounts. The findings highlight significant differences between perceptions and practices among participants in professional practice and non-practice roles. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the efficacy of using ePortfolios to enhance career skills for newly qualified teachers (NQTs). The context is the final phase of a longitudinal action research project investigating whether an ePortfolio, created as a pre-service teacher to evidence a digital story of developing professional identity, could transition into employability, i.e. the first year as an NQT. Thus, this paper focuses on a new area of ePortfolio-related research in teacher education; the transition from university into employment. The research findings indicate a changing purpose of the ePortfolio from training to the workplace, an increasing strength of ownership as part of the transition, and empowerment in becoming a teacher. Secondary findings demonstrate an increasing acceptance amongst head teachers regarding the usefulness of the ePortfolio in pre-service teacher education and in the continuing professional development of qualified teachers. Key outcomes are discussed and arguments are presented for an ePortfolio to support professional development from university to employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues for an understanding of teaching and teacher development that is realistic and based on research. It maintains that teaching is a highly complex job requiring technical knowledge, the highest levels of communication skills, empathy, maturity, intuitive understanding and skills in planning and organisation. It argues that debates about the best ways to support and enrich teacher development should be detached from questions about professionalism, which, in the end, is a sociological discussion rather than one about practice. It suggests that a more useful approach to the complexities of teachers’ practice can be found in a generic analysis of craft practice. Support for this view is found in a range of fields of research and theory situated outside of education and, in briefly describing these, the paper aims to illuminate some important generic features of effective practitioner learning. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The development of professional social work in Hong Kong can be traced back to the 1960s. Similar to development of the profession in other countries, it began with social work education, and then later grew in response to the ever-changing environment. This paper will first highlight the history of the social work profession, and then outline the present situation of social work in Hong Kong. Following the introduction of managerial reform, social workers have encountered many changes. Although the image of social workers is positive in general and service quality is being monitored, morale is negatively affected. The paper addresses the major challenges that social work in Hong Kong is currently facing: implementation of the Lump Sum Grant system and capacity building through continuing professional development. Research shows that social workers are dissatisfied with the Lump Sum Grant system, and that this system demoralizes social workers. The paper also argues that compulsory continuing professional development is needed for capacity building and to promote resilience among social workers, in order both to strengthen the profession and to safeguard the interests of service recipients. [image omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UK higher education has seen a shift towards greater businesslike operations and accountability, with increasingly specialised support roles and fewer 'generalist' administrators; however, professional training, structured career development and planning, and opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD) have been less well prioritised than similar activities in the academic and research staff groups, and little research currently exists to consider how professional services staff undertake and engage with professional development activities. A quantitative study of professional services staff was conducted in a large Russell Group university, where a significant number of professional services staff reported inequity of treatment compared to their academic colleagues. This paper examines the relationship between effective development review and institutional support for training and engagement with CPD activities by non-academic administrators, and aims to provide practical recommendations for improvements to practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of accountants to appropriately perform in practice is linked to over-arching professional competence. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the current solution with reference to maintenance and development of professional competence. A phenomenographic approach is used to explore how accounting practitioners perceive competence in the context of their professional status and how, through engagement with CPD, they maintain and develop their professional competence. Findings highlight participant practitioners experience a series of developmental blocks at varying experiential stages and report significant differences in relation to perceptions and practices at these experiential stages. The paper provides some insights into a potential competency framework and a learning mapping which may be used by professional accounting bodies in the development of further CPD guidance. Highlights: Adopts a phenomenographic approach to explore how accounting professionals perceive, maintain and develop professional competence with reference to experiential stages; Reports significant differences in relation to participant perceptions and practices from novice to expert experiential stages; Provides some insights into a competency framework and a learning mapping which could be adapted with reference to the professional development process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the nature of reflective writing through the experience of the researchers in running a series of writing workshops with a group of higher education practitioners working in a UK further education college. The focus here is on reflective writing, which was chosen to start the sequence of workshops, as it was perceived as a form of writing with which the participants would be familiar, given its role in the education and development of teachers within the sector. Our assumption was that this familiarity would facilitate the writing process and participants would readily respond by engaging in reflective writing. However, in practice this proved not to be the case, despite being introduced to a variety of different forms of writing over a series of workshops, it took the participants longer than we expected to begin to write. This led us to question our assumptions about the starting point for the writing workshops and what they might achieve. The paper draws on field notes made during the writing initiative and data gathered through focus groups and interviews with the participants, as well as extracts of their writing to examine their experiences. Different conceptualisations of reflective writing are identified and their implications are explored in relation to the participants’ engagement with writing and their experience of professional development. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article reports on findings from a qualitative research study on overseas teachers’ continuing professional development (CPD). It seeks to explore the perceptions of a cohort of Egyptian teachers about their overseas training experience upon completion of a nine-month training programme in the UK. Data were mainly gathered through four focus-group interviews with a sample of 35 Egyptian teachers during the last week of their stay in England. Findings indicate that the CPD programme did not match teachers’ expectations. In particular, the teachers raised concerns about course content, lack of integration into university life and lack of opportunities for social interaction with other students leading to inadequate language development. The paper explores the clash of aspirations and locates them within a wider discourse of cultural dissonance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper explores literature relating to continuing professional development (CPD) and lifelong learning to develop an understanding of how the learning landscape has evolved in recent years, both in the accountancy profession and more widely. Three different perspectives on learning are drawn together and this synthesis is used to develop a framework for professional learning. In this, the concepts of CPD and lifelong learning are replaced with ‘learning relating to professional competence’ and ‘learning relating to career adaptability’. The framework also contrasts the learning of an ‘informed professional’, a ‘competent professional’ and a ‘complete professional’. This holistic model, derived from existing literature, will be of interest to professional accountancy bodies and educators of accountants and will inform their ongoing interactions with current and future professional accountants. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Although the benefits of financial statement comparability have been studied extensively, less is known about its determinants. This study examines how accounting education during the continuing professional development (CPD) stage helps improve comparability by leveraging the unique arrangement of CPD activities for non-practising certified public accountants (CPAs) in China. We argue that CPAs who attend the same CPD courses acquire similar interpretations and practising modes of accounting standards, which then systematically influence their practices. The empirical results show that two firms headquartered in provinces that employ the same CPD course supplier exhibit higher accounting comparability. Furthermore, this effect is stronger when the two firms have more CPAs in top management teams and/or have experienced the same education for a greater number of years. Finally, we consider the staggered adoption of CAS 14 (an equivalent of IFRS 15), during which initial professional development had a limited role, and find that firms that switched to the new standard provide accounting information that is more comparable if they share the same course supplier. Our findings shed light on the role of continuing accounting education in shaping accounting practices and deepen our understanding of how accounting comparability is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Singapore, like many other countries in the world, is on a journey towards a culture of lifelong learning to keep its workforce competent, resilient, and future-ready in the rapidly changing world of work. In order to realise this, a significant amount of resources has been invested to the training and adult education (TAE) sector. The TAE sector is expecting considerable and evolving skills demands from the TAE professionals specifically from the adult educators who are directly involved in the training delivery and development activities. With the high skills expectations from the profession, it is important to find out the level and predictors of work satisfaction among adult educators so as to provide necessary support for their performance and development. Work characteristics or quality indicators such as income, work autonomy, complexity, intensity, security, career prospect, professional development support, as well as work expectations were examined in relation to adult educators' work satisfaction. Multivariate analyses show that work autonomy, job security, and professional development support are strong determinants of work satisfaction among adult educators, even after considering adult educators' work expectations and other employment and individual characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the backdrop of global convergences in education reforms, a growing focus on teacher competences has emerged in European policy discourses about teacher professionalism and professional learning and development that has driven an expanding international and national CPD market involving both state and private operators. Developments in Sweden are an example, and the aim of this article is to identify and explore the discourses on teacher professional learning that seem to proliferate on this newly emerged and expanding market and their connections with and consequences for teacher professionalism. Two sets of data have fed the analysis. These are (a) CPD invoices and (b) interviews with school principals. The analysis indicates that the dominant discourses discursively shape teacher professionalism in relation to ideas about teachers as learners as collegial consumers of knowledge. Policy recommendations about peer learning become a subordinated element of a dominant discourse that prioritises and privileges the agency of knowledge producers, such as consultancies, compared to other actors as intermediaries. Commodification is a new key intermediary process in professional learning for teacher professional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to describe, examine, and make a case for the value of a Continuing Professional Development week-long summer institute offered to teachers from across the education continuum - from early childhood, through primary, secondary, further and higher education. At the institute participants could meet, learn and share good practice about their own writing and the teaching of writing. The institute was inspired by the United States National Writing Project model and was designed by staff of the Maynooth University Writing Centre, in partnership with the Bay Area Writing Project, University of California Berkeley, and in consultation with a range of Irish teaching and learning networks. This paper presents the background to and rationale for the institute, considers its effectiveness in terms of the model, the 'personality' and the impact of the summer institute, and suggests how the summer institute is transformative for participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the initial findings of a research project that aims to investigate the impact of teacher training for lecturers in post-compulsory education on engagement with continuing professional development (CPD) for learning and teaching. The majority of colleges and universities operating in the UK now ensure that all teaching staff are given access to training in skills for learning and teaching. This training can take many different forms and this paper explores the potential differences in outcome and influence on engagement with CPD and lifelong learning of graduates from these programmes. For the study, 18 lecturers from different colleges (one large multi-campus college in Scotland and another in Wales) provided narrative accounts about their professional background, training and qualifications prior to initial lecturer training and their route into teaching in further education. Respondents then engaged in semi-structured interviews about their experiences in lecturer training and ongoing engagement with CPD and further learning post-training. The findings indicate that respondents feel insufficient emphasis is placed on vocational skills training, meeting special educational needs and classroom management techniques. Lecturers agree that CPD in learning and teaching is very important but the research data show lack of meaningful engagement with the training options currently available. Recommendations are made to colleges to increase the practical and vocational focus and content of teacher training for lecturers whilst acknowledging the importance of allowing novice practitioner status. The requirement for access to high-quality, valid and targeted CPD is highlighted, with lecturers acknowledging the importance of training and expressing the desire to engage with relevant courses in learning and teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuing professional development (CPD) is currently high on the Scottish Education agenda. Recent curriculum reform in Scotland, with the introduction of Curriculum for Excellence, places physical education (PE) at the forefront for its role in directly supporting learners' mental, emotional, social and physical well-being. This emphasis on PE, along with concerns about the health of the nation, has resulted in a nationwide initiative providing non-specialist teachers of primary PE with the opportunity to develop a specialism in the subject through government-funded CPD programmes at postgraduate level. Using Knowles' andragogical model as a framework, this paper reports data from a larger research study that evaluated a Scottish PE-CPD initiative. This paper comprises a single case holistic study investigating the impact and implications of a PE-CPD programme through the professional learning journeys, from the outset until completion, of four teachers: a nursery teacher, a class teacher, a cluster cover teacher and a PE specialist who participated in the programme. Data were collected over one academic year using two-stage questionnaire interviews and were analysed thematically with special attention given to the emerging general themes to achieve a holistic understanding of the case. Study findings endorse the positive impact of using the andragogical model of adult learning combined with the literature-supported characteristics of effective PE-CPD programmes. Teachers' perspectives on their CPD experiences, integration of acquired learning into working contexts and teaching post-PE-CPD were then examined to determine the next steps. This led to critical reflection on the implications of the findings for the teachers' ongoing professional development. We then challenged the role that university providers play in supporting teachers' lifelong learning. Instead, we suggest new school-university partnerships and alternative ways to support capacity building and lifelong learning towards a sustainable transformational change in Scotland's primary PE. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper examines the relationship between reflective practice and instrumental learning within the context of continuing professional development (CPD). It is argued that instrumental learning is a unique process of adult learning, and reflective practice’s impact on learning outcomes in instrumental learning contexts remains unclear. A new conceptualisation of instrumental learning in CPD is provided to illustrate the issue’s relevance and potential implications. Three justifications for further investigation are suggested: (a) to clarify the function of reflective practice activities in the immediate context of instrumental learning; (b) to protect the welfare of clients and professionals; and (c) to sustain the continuing success of the field of CPD. It is argued that an empirical investigation using scientific methodology is the most effective approach to address this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Teacher recruitment and retention is an international challenge. In England the government have reported that more teachers leave before retirement age than five years ago, 30% within five years and schools are finding it difficult to fill posts with quality teachers. This paper evaluates the contribution of the research-informed RETAIN Early Career Teacher (ECT) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme for developing and retaining quality teachers. RETAIN was a yearlong CPD pilot for Early Career Teachers (ECTs) in primary schools in Cornwall, UK (a region with high levels of socio-economic disadvantage). The programme design was informed by research and based on factors shown to support the retention of ECTs. It was contextualised using the precept that teachers should be active researchers, influencing curriculum development as ‘reflective practitioners’, focussed with a Professional Learning Community lens and theorised within a social constructivist frame. In addition, RETAIN utilised robust evidence-informed practice approaches to support teacher development in schools with persistently disadvantaged pupils. The programme was independently evaluated using multiple-methods over the course of the programme to generate data. The theory-based evaluation suggests that the contribution of this intervention to the field is the specific combination of development; taught workshops, coaching and collaborative professional learning, which improved the self-efficacy, confidence and quality of teaching of ECTs in differing but complementary ways. All ECTs who completed the programme have been retained in teaching and all have achieved a leadership role in their school. We argue that these outcomes are of international significance and the promise of the programme can be utilised for developing and retaining high quality teachers in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the experience of educators who participated in a Train the Trainer programme with the aim of supporting teachers in the implementation of the Learning Outcomes Framework (LOF). Empirical data collected through interviews and narratives from a number of LOF Trainers, are analysed through a grounded theory approach. The insights of the participants on the effectiveness of the programme led the authors to identify which factors helped to render this programme a rewarding and meaningful experience, how this programme has equipped and empowered educators with the required skills to support their peers, and how the nature of the programme has led to the development of a professional learning community. The results lead to a consideration of how teacher learning environments can be transformed in order to build educator proficiencies, enhance their leadership capacities and make them more participative in the processes which impact on their professional lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the development of teaching practice of the multinational staff delivering UK programmes in a higher education institution in Oman hosting these programmes. It presents a tool to evaluate the teaching practice, and points to those elements of an academic development framework that were found to be most useful in supporting staff in moving towards a student-centred, learning-focused teaching approach. The majority of the lecturers made this shift. We therefore conclude by arguing for long-term CPD aimed at enhancing teaching quality to be part and parcel of a partnership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is growing recognition and acceptance of Open Educational Resources (OER) and Open Educational Practices (OEP) in teaching and learning, designing for their integration remains very challenging for educators. Adopting OER and OEP in their profession requires significant changes in practitioners’ pedagogical thinking and practices, which can be supported by the design of appropriate professional development experiences. At the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL), significant successes in addressing this challenge have been achieved with the design and development of a rigorous approach and a robust model to support adoption of OER and OEP by practitioners using Scenario-based Learning (SBL). In this paper we explore the efficacy of a scenario-based approach to learning in the integration of OER by practitioners, reflecting on how the SBL approach was tested and refined over three continuing professional development (CPD) interventions conducted at the OUSL over 2013-2017. Based on the findings, we discuss what design strategies of the three CPD interventions best supported the adoption of OER and OEP by practitioners, how effective have been the theoretical constructs and the strategies adopted in the design of CPD interventions, the impacts of the CPD interventions and implications of these experiences for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The home visit is central to the practice of contemporary child and family social work, yet we know comparatively little about what social workers use them for and how. Descriptions of practice and policies and procedures that overlook the emotional, physical and relational complexity of the home visit will inevitably miss something important about the social work role. More and more researchers are using observational methods to produce descriptions of home visit practices, while the Department for Education has been trialing observations as part of a national accreditation programme in England. Local authorities for many years have been engaged in observations of students and newly-qualified workers. However, none of these developments mean that observing social workers in practice and on a wider scale is straight-forward. This paper describes an attempt to introduce regular observations of social work practice in three inner London local authorities and discusses how and why this attempt failed. By so doing, we hope to provide helpful lessons for others who may be thinking of using observations of practice more widely within their own authorities or as part of a research project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines teachers’ experiences of autonomy as they undertook Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in the form of Teacher Learning Communities (TLCs) to develop Assessment for Learning (AfL). Participant teacher interview data were used from two parallel TLC projects, one in Hong Kong and one in London, UK. Autonomy was defined in terms of taking initiatives, acting independently and making critical inquiries. Links between autonomy and effective CPD were argued and the findings indicated that some teachers in both the projects experienced limited autonomy in terms of taking initiatives and being critical, although several described a new sense of professional independence as they attended TLCs. Their limited autonomy looked likely to inhibit the long-lasting impact of the projects, although one TLC in London seemed likely to shape teachers’ AfL principles and practices more profoundly because attendance was voluntary and egalitarian. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers must be situated within the context of the practice of teachers and be relevant to their teaching and learning needs. A CPD project was conducted in a Hong Kong kindergarten class. For five years prior to the CPD project, the class had used a mixed curriculum of project approach topics and thematic units. The novice teachers, however, repeatedly expressed their concerns regarding the project work, including their lack of control over its direction. The author (the school consultant) offered to conduct a school-based CPD project at the kindergarten in order to enhance the teachers’ professional development using the project approach. This paper tracks a novice teacher’s professional growth and development through her experience in the CPD project. Specifically, the paper discusses how a project involving kindergarten children evolved in the classroom, as well as the reflections of a novice teacher regarding the project approach and CPD. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper reviews a range of challenges and tensions experienced when using portfolios for learning as well as for summative assessment in the context of continuing professional learning in academic development programmes. While portfolios are becoming increasingly prominent, the details of how they are used are under-examined; they are often simply assumed to be an appropriate tool. However, it is important that, as practitioners, we are able to justify our own assessment practices and convey our expectations to our participants, who may be unfamiliar with the demands of a reflective portfolio. In this paper we explore some of the appeal as well as the difficulties of using portfolios, many of which arise from the fact that portfolios are often simultaneously used for summative and formative purposes. We suggest how the challenges sometimes experienced with portfolio assessment can be addressed by course conveners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embarking on postgraduate research involves making a transition from practitioner to researcher. While there is a well established body of knowledge to address research methodology, it is presented in a fashion that suggests the research process is straightforward and linear and fails to offer insights into the ways postgraduate students construct their researcher identities. This paper will draw on the authors' experiences as PhD students and highlight what was learned about the research process from involvement in a research project. The paper will highlight some of the challenges of undertaking postgraduate research as well as some of the insights gained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes how a cluster of nine secondary science teachers and lecturers from five schools and colleges in the United Kingdom designed and undertook small-scale action research projects as an approach to their own continuing professional development. The participating teachers identified a range of topics for investigation such as: student voice to inform curriculum planning; the use of STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) to raise student engagement and motivation in mathematics and literacy; and assessment and learning in practical work. The participants brought their research into practice either as individuals, pairs or within a team. Central to each project was the use of reflection as a primary approach to enable the teachers to self-evaluate their professional practice and gain a greater understanding of the wider contexts of teaching and learning. The key aim of establishing a cluster was to foster collaborative reflective practice and encourage a teacher-led process. Reflective practice was developed through the use of several approaches including: reflective discussions, audio reflections, a paper-based learning and evaluation tool, and an online hub. Teachers were particularly encouraged to use the latter three tools in an attempt to stimulate and structure their reflections critically about what was taking place in a given situation during their designed interventions, to identify suitable options, and to make tacit the knowledge gained about their approaches to classroom-based research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a pilot project which provided writing support for registered nurses undertaking Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and for pre-registration nursing students. Both groups of students have English as a second language (ESL). The aims of the project were to extend the scope of the available writing support within the faculty for ESL students through the provision of one-to-one sessions and workshops. In addition, workshops were provided for lecturers to improve their understanding of the barriers faced by ESL students. Literature indicates that communication with tutors and the need for clear feedback are important factors for ESL students. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from questionnaires completed by participants after teaching sessions and were analysed against pre-agreed success criteria. Findings indicate that students were very positive about the effectiveness of the sessions in helping them improve their academic writing. Additionally, three themes emerged from the student data: reasons for using the ELS support service; what they liked most about the ELS service and suggestions for improvements to the service. Data from staff show that the sessions have given staff a greater insight into the problems faced by ESL students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the approaches undertaken to support the development of teachers' uses of interactive whiteboards in the Primary Schools Whiteboard Expansion project. Mixed methods were used to identify practices and staff perceptions about the extent and impact of professional development through surveys (initially from 528 schools), together with 10 case studies to provide in-depth insights and observational data. The training events offered to the 21 participating Local Authorities (LAs) were also observed. Data were analysed through a socio-cultural framework. The findings are presented at three levels: national (the central team driving the project), regional (the LAs), and local (the schools). The paper concludes that whilst LA support varied and the central team was not well prepared for the unprecedented level of uptake, the formal training offered through a cascade model was effective. Furthermore, the pool of expertise shifted from the LAs to the schools, as teachers' urgent need to acquire skills to use the interactive whiteboard on a daily basis led to the development of informal learning communities in the schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on phase 1 of a project commissioned by Learning and Teaching Scotland to explore the continuing professional development (CPD) needs of teachers in Scotland in years 2-6 of their careers. Nominal group technique (NGT) was employed to identify the CPD needs of year 2-6 teachers and to identify the relative priority of these needs. The NGT data were subsequently used, together with findings from a review of literature, to inform a national survey. The paper outlines key issues arising from the NGT phase. Conclusions consider some of the potential drawbacks of NGT as a method but focus on the added value which the NGT process contributed to the overall project design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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