Lifelong learning is considered a ‘good thing’ for many professions, including education.
But what exactly is the concept of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in the context of Higher Education (HE)?
In Higher Education (HE), Continuing Professional Development (CPD) goes beyond just ticking a box for attending courses. It’s a broader concept focused on the ongoing development of faculty and staff’s skills, knowledge, and competencies to improve their professional practice.
In this blog, we will help you understand how CPD can benefit higher education professionals, the purpose of participating in CPD activities and what challenges Higher Education might face in planning CPD/ CPD events.
CPD – Why it Matters in Higher Education?
Institutions of higher education serve as primary catalysts for educational innovation. It confides research and development activities cultivate novel pedagogical approaches, technological advancements, and theoretical frameworks that are subsequently disseminated throughout the educational landscape.
In simple words, CPD for Higher Education professionals greatly matters in shaping the institutions and students’ future. Undertaking CPD activities can overall help improve teaching quality, adapt to the rapid emerging trends/changes, increase the prestige of institutions, cater to the diverse needs of students and so on.
Continuing Education and Its Purpose in Higher Education
Education professionals in higher education need to regularly train and align themselves with the regulation frameworks and professional standards.
In particular, the purpose of CPD in Higher Education is:
- To help teachers integrate new learning technologies in teaching e.g. gamification – to make learning fun and increase overall student engagement
- To allow teachers to apply multiple teaching methodologies or pedagogies to support diverse learners in their classroom and best adapt their approach as the subject changes over time
- To allow educators to keep themselves up to date with the latest developments and discoveries and stay current on the subject matter
- To cover areas like research methodologies and fund new research projects for the betterment of the institution
- To prepare students with extensive skills, make them work-ready and allow faculty members to deliver the best possible education throughout
To help non-teaching staff maximise time-effectiveness, enhance leadership & management skills, manage financial or student’s records or support their mental health efficiently
What are the Benefits of CPD for Higher Education?
There are multiple benefits of CPD for Higher Education. There is no doubt that the advancement in the education industry has been proven to be more than beneficial be it for faculty members, teachers or students.
We have mentioned multiple advantages in detail below:
Finding New Teaching Strategies
Organising Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events by faculty members for teachers is crucial. These CPD events or activities help them learn and improve, which ultimately benefits their students.
Once participate, they will learn about new teaching methodologies and strategies. In doing so, they can identify each student’s unique learning style and tailor their teaching methodology accordingly.
On the contrary, students will learn better, feel included and ultimately achieve their desired results at the end of the class or course.
Enhanced Learning by Integrating Technology
CPD for teachers regarding integrating technology can help teachers create a classroom where students are actively engaged with learning objectives.
For instance, teachers will have a better understanding of how to use and integrate smart boards, leverage LMS platforms for streamlining tasks, digital tools for assessment and evaluation etc in their classrooms. It ultimately enhances learning opportunities for students and makes learning more fun and engaging.
Enhancing innovation and creativity in Curriculum Development
To enhance the innovation and creativity in the curriculum, Professional Learning is a powerful tool for faculty and staff members; here is how:
- Online courses, CPD workshops or conferences, allow educators to explore and introduce innovative curriculum design methods and new ideas for their courses/qualifications.
- By attending relevant CPD events, they can meet and interact with other diverse yet experienced professionals. As a result, they can adapt new and fresh practices for designing their own curriculum.
- Additionally, effective CPD programmes may also allow them to evaluate their existing curriculum and teaching strategies critically. They may also reflect on the learning outcomes, resulting in designing more creative learning experiences.
Better Leadership and Management
CPD for effective leadership and management is ideal for staff, students and institutions in higher education. It will teach leaders how to manage teams effectively, make strategic decisions and navigate challenges. This creates a positive workplace culture and enhances the institution’s reputation.
Competitive Edge
CPDs in higher education can elevate your institution’s reputation. Empower faculty, attract top talent, and lead the way in innovation.
Considering that, although there are benefits of CPD for higher education, they might face some challenges in planning these CPDs.
What are the Top Higher Education Universities that Provide CPD in the UK?
Here are some of the top institutions/universities that offer CPD courses:
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- University of London
- University of Manchester
- University of Edinburgh
Find out more here for upcoming CPD events in the UK.
Challenges while Planning CPD for Higher Education
Here are a few of the challenges Higher Education may face in planning CPD events or CPDs in general:
Financial Limitations
Universities or institutions may have a limited budget to plan CPD events or CPD programmes. It can be a lack of accessibility to useful resources, inadequate facilities or teaching aids to successfully implement CPD in Higher Education Institutions.
This will create a hindrance and make it difficult to even fund high-quality conferences, workshops, seminars etc.
Technophobia Among Teachers
Technophobia (fear of technology) among teachers can be a hindrance to successfully planning and implementing CPD events. Staff or teachers might avoid and resist attending these events, resulting in limiting their effectiveness.
Time Constraints
Faculty members have limited time due to their numerous responsibilities, such as administrative duties, research, and teaching commitments; teachers have often heavy workloads and limited time for their professional duties. This means they have little to no time for continuing professional development (CPD) activities, leading to low participation and attendance in CPD events.
Programme Design and Implementation
CPD programmes must be relevant to the faculty’s needs and preferences. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) may face challenges in pinpointing the individualised CPD needs of their diverse faculty members effectively; hence, it might be challenging to choose appropriate CPD courses and cater to diverse people.
Furthermore, another issue they might regarding relevancy is the lack of systematic training needs analysis. When institutions that seek training do not properly communicate with the training providers, they cannot fulfil the needs of their faculty, leading to ineffective CPD programmes.
Overall Culture and Incentives
Another challenge could be unclear recognition; when institutions are unaware or don’t have a proper system to reward or acknowledge participation in CPD. In this way, faculty may not see its value and hence won’t participate. Therefore, creating an overall culture of growth and ongoing learning is important otherwise it would hinder CPD efforts.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, CPD is essential for higher education professionals to stay updated on the latest developments, improve their teaching skills, and cater to the ever-changing needs of students.
There are challenges in planning and implementing CPD programs, such as limited budgets and time constraints; however, the benefits of CPD for faculty, students, and institutions far outweigh them.
