Professional Learning examples

There is a common misconception that professional learning only relates to formal ‘learning’ events such as attending an industry conference, workshop or completing an accredited training programme (often with a focus on how many ‘hours’ were completed).

In practice, valuable professional learning includes a much wider range of experiences. These may take advantage of local or national expertise, be experienced individually or collaboratively, take place over the short or long term and can be organised through formal or more informal methods.

Examples of professional learning

Examples of professional learning activities could include:

• Experiential, action or enquiry-based learning
• Professional dialogue with colleagues, other professionals, parents, and learners
• Focused professional reading and research
• Leading or engaging in practitioner enquiry/action research
• Critical analysis of reading, learning and impact on professional practice                
• Peer support e.g. coaching or mentoring
• Probationer support      
• Classroom visits/ peer observations/ shadowing with related professional dialogue
• Online learning/blogs
• Co-operative or team teaching
• Leading or participating in a working party or task group
• Planning learning which is inter-disciplinary or cross-sector
• Participation in activities relating to assessment and moderation
• Secondments, acting posts and placements
• Masters study and qualifications
• Accredited courses or activities related to achieving national professional standards for teachers
• Professional/ Academic conferences
• Self-evaluation and critical reflection processes