TCUK 2012, Alison Peck, CPD - Why Bother?
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TCUK 2012, Alison Peck, CPD - Why Bother?
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TCUK 2012, Alison Peck, CPD - Why Bother?
- 1. Alison Peck Technical Communication UK 2012
- 2. What does „CPD‟ mean to you? Can you give me a definition?
- 3. “The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills, and the development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional and technical duties throughout the individual‟s working life.” The Construction Industry Council (CIC), 1986
- 4. “CPD is the means by which professions across the world ensure that their knowledge and skills remain up-to-date and relevant to changing needs and environments.” Andrew L. Friedman, Continuing Professional Development: Lifelong learning of millions
- 5. “…we should invest in our skills so that we are able to offer a high degree of competence exercised in a responsible manner.” “Maintain and develop skills to facilitate a high degree of ethical competence...” “Take on work only when … a programme to attain required skills has been put in place.” “We should aspire to the highest standards in … professional growth.”
- 6. Individuals? Employers? Valid CPD The ISTC?
- 7. “CPD significantly contributes to the quality and reputation of professions…” Andrew L. Friedman, Continuing Professional Development: Lifelong learning of millions
- 12. Define Decide how what you you‟re (still) need going to to know find out REFLECT Use what on how it you‟ve all went… learnt
- 13. And if you write it down, it becomes part of your CPD record!
Editor's Notes
- Preaching to the converted… you’re all here, aren’t you?I’m assuming most people here would count participating in the TCUK conference as CPD?
- Ask them to contribute….
- This one has been around for a while… but it’s still used as the basis for many definitions out there.
- It’s not just about individuals – it’s about the professions themselves. Disseminating information to others…
- Yes, it does. It’s not mandatory – we don’t have to do it to be members or to practise our profession.But it’s not optional… it’s part of our code of conduct.You can think of it as OBLIGATORY.
- Well, there are three options… Employers… Know what’s required for their organization – theoretically, anywayMay be paying for it!Could end up with a very specific one-size-fits-all approach, especially for technical communicators if we’re the minority groupIndividual practitioners…Know where their own weaknesses and gaps areMay sometimes go for the cheaper option, or the option where they know they can succeed rather than what’s really neededCould be impossible to compare one with anotherProfessional association…Understand the profession, but not necessarily the individuals within it or the sectors in which they workCould be either too vague to be useful or too detailed to be practicalA possible solution – the association provides the framework, so both workplace and individual needs can be accommodated. You have to comply with workplace requirements – or specific requirements for your profession.
- So if we’re all dong it anyway, is that enough?No, not really. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been brought onto projects because “our developers are too busy to write the documentation this time” – and it’s often cheaper to get a freelance technical author than a software developer on contract! I’d like them to value what I do for its own sake (which they often do later on).If it’s going to enhance our standing – collectively and individually – as professionals, then we need to be SEEN to be doing it.
- We can count the hours we spend…We can allocate points based on those hours and how “good” the CPD is…But we’re back to who defines how “good” it is.
- Reflection… what you learnt, how you learnt it, what impact it had, how it applies in your situation…A really person evaluation of the learning and its contribution to your professional life.
- If we had a mandatory CPD policy, there would have to be some validation… probably by your peers.
- Time – something we are all short of these days.Money – formal training courses, or even taking time out from routine work, costs money.How to mitigate this?Look at the value CPD gives you… we’ll come back to this later.Make sure that it IS valuable by planning it.
- If the CPD comes out of a chance encounter, you may just join the cycle at a different point.REFLECT both on how well you learnt AND how well the implementation went.
- You must record it… the record is part of the evidence. Can have other tangible evidence (e.g. certificates of attendance).
- Employees who think for themselves – and can prove it.Customers/clients who are getting a better quality product or service, so are much happier.All of which can only serve to enhance their reputation.
- Provide a beacon – something for others to aspire to achieve.Help others to reach their goals.Make the ISTC the home of professional excellence in the UK.
- A sense of personal achievement and fulfilment.Help your CV or employment record to stand out from the rest… supported by a portfolio.Get that job or promotion you were after!
- Individually – and collectively.