Learning Opportunities
CPD is not just another term for training. Good training courses can be a great resource, but CPD is about learning in all kinds of ways - both in and out of the workplace. This means that even if you are working in the most under-funded of organisations, you can still do CPD.
Learning in the workplace
At work there are a variety of opportunities for learning. These range between the planned formal events - through SoA training, regional or group meetings and events - and the unplanned informal occurrence during work time. The former is an obvious learning opportunity, but the latter can pass unnoticed.
No matter where you work or what you do, from cataloguing, to assisting researchers, to making policy decisions about electronic records management, everything involved in archives and records management demands that you take on new information and use this information to perform better at your job. (Lynda Barraclough)
Work based activities may include:
- cataloguing a large collection
- supervising staff
- implementing new systems or techniques
- making presentations
- planning and running an in-house training event
All types of learning opportunities can be placed in sharper focus by carrying out a situation analysis. This helps to identify your areas of knowledge and areas of ignorance, areas where you make assumptions and those where you are able to make clear definitions. A situation analysis might include the ability to reflect upon the workplace and its environment including resources, the job that you do and the work methods employed, the micro-politics of the office(s), problem solving or the lack of it.
Whether you use your own analysis of your work situation or other people's guidelines, the process can establish areas on which you need to concentrate. CPD is essentially self-managed through your choosing developmental goals, but these can then be ratified with a supervisor/manager through appraisal. A second and important result from your analysis is that you may have become more aware of learning opportunities.
Learning outside the workplace
CPD is not merely concerned with learning in the workplace. Skills acquired from personal activities and self directed and informal learning outside of the workplace are just as relevant to the development of personal competence.
Being a parent and a manager is a considerable cross-fertilisation of skills and experience. Learning not to worry about little things and focus on the big and important issues - this I can do at work more easily but I realised how crucial it was at home first. I'm also learning to listen (really listen, not just stop talking myself) to what the other person is trying to say. (Charlie Turpie)
Personal activities may include:
- public duties - being a school governor, JP etc. [communication skills, dealing with responsibilities, decision making etc.]
- voluntary work - [commitment, new skills etc.]
- writing and lecturing - [time management, communication skills etc.]
- juggling a career and a family - [time management, prioritising, communication skills etc.]
Self directed and informal learning may include:
- reading professional and research publications
- learning to drive/speak a foreign language
- self-teaching audio tapes, videos and CD-ROM material
Outcomes
Defining your outcomes is the most important aspect of CPD. By switching the emphasis from the amount of input - how long have I spent on this activity? - to the outcome - how can I use the information received today in my own situation? - not only will you identify specific learning outcomes, but also recognise ones that you were not expecting! Through reflection and the process of completing a record, further development needs can be identified.
Last modified 16/01/2006
