Glossary of terms
A
Achievement
A goal which has been set and reached, e.g. a publication of which you are the author, a record of level of ability/qualification. As with any goal, an achievement should be measurable.
~ more information: Professional Development Plan
Activity
A task, or series of tasks, that needs to be completed to achieve or contribute towards, a goal.
~ more information: Professional Development Plan
B [none]
C
Code of Conduct
The Society of Archivists’ Code of Conduct expresses the professional standard of behaviour that must be adhered to as a member of the Society. With respect to CPD the SoA’s code of conduct is explicit:
‘Members must endeavour to develop their professional understanding and expertise, to contribute to extending the body of professional knowledge and to ensure that those whose training or activities they supervise are equipped to carry out their tasks in a competent manner.’
~ more information: Code of Conduct
Continuing Development Sub-Committee (CDSC)
The Continuing Development Sub-Committee reports into the Education, Training and Development Committee. CDSC is responsible for activities that support and assist the continuing professional development of members of the Society of Archivists.
~ more information: Continuing Development Sub-Committee
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
A systematic and planned approach to the maintenance, enhancement and development of knowledge, skills and expertise that continues throughout a professional’s career and is to the mutual benefit of the individual, the employer and the professional body.
~ more information: What is CPD?
D
Developing Excellence
Booklet produced by the Continuing Development Sub-Committee profiling members experiences of continuing professional development. Developing Excellence is available from this site.
E
Evidence
Documentation that confirms completion of, or attainment of a standard within, a goal or activity, such as a certification of qualification, photographs, or a page from a report. Copies of documentation are retained in an individual’s portfolio of evidence as method of recording their CPD progress.
The Guidance Notes to the Society of Archivists’ Registration Scheme describe different types of appropriate evidence (section 3.5). The Guidance Notes can be downloaded from this site.
~ more information: Portfolio of evidence
F [none]
G
Goal
An end result previously identified as desirous to achieve. It is likely that a goal will have been broken down into activities and that once achieved there will be evidence of its completion.
~ more information: Professional Development Plan
H [none]
I [none]
J [none]
K [none]
L
Learning and development record
A tool which assists reflection to identify what has been learnt from an activity, and how this knowledge or skill can be used in continuing professional development.
~ more information: Learning and Development Record
Learning outcome
An increased knowledge or ability resulting from an activity or goal. Learning outcomes are documented on learning and development records.
~ more information: Learning and Development Record
Learning styles
An individual’s preferred method of learning e.g. through experience or by applying an existing theory. How an individual learns most effectively may change according to different situations and often can combine two or more learning styles.
~ more information: Learning Styles
M
Mentoring
A formal relationship between an individual with significant experience (mentor) and another (mentee) where each develops professionally through the transfer of experience and the opportunity to seek alternative perspectives. Mentoring is used in the Society of Archivists to support candidates on the Registration Scheme.
~ more information: Mentoring
N [none]
O [none]
P
Personal Development Plan
see: Professional Development Plan
Professional Development Plan
A tool that enables future actions to be specified and scheduled. A Professional Development Plan has three main components: goals, activities and timescales.
~ more information: Professional Development Plan
Portfolio of evidence
The formal record of an individual’s continuing professional development containing learning and development records and evidence.
~ more information: Portfolio of evidence
Prospective learning/Prospective practice
The process of evaluating an activity in advance of it occurring, to identify expected learning outcomes.
~ more information: Reflective practice
Q [none]
R
Reflective learning/ Reflective practice
The process of analysing a past activity or experience to identify what has been learned or gained from it, and how this may influence future actions.
~ more information: Reflective practice
S
Situation analysis
A review of an environment, e.g. workplace, to identify factors which are strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Factors are considered both independently and in relation to each other and may be internal or external to one’s influence.
~ more information: Situation analysis
Skills audit
A review of a person’s ability, knowledge and experience, providing an indication of the range and depth of an individual’s various skills.
~ more information: Preparing for CPD
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT)
An evaluative tool for situation analysis, commonly referred to as the acronym SWOT.
~ more information: Situation analysis
T [none]
U [none]
V [none]
W [none]
X [none]
Y [none]
Z [none]
Last modified 16/01/2006
