Professional Development Strategies for Effective Learning

This assignment provides a comprehensive overview of professional development strategies for effective learning. It discusses the importance of job-embedded professional development, effective pedagogical practices, and reflective approaches in teaching. The article also highlights the significance of personal identity development, mentorship, and feedback in enhancing teacher quality. Furthermore, it explores time management techniques and certification programs as means to boost professional growth.

Personal and Professional
Development

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Evaluation of various approaches to self managed learning and their suitability.................1
1.2 Ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional scenario could be
entertained...................................................................................................................................2
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning to an individual and organisation...................................3
4.1 Solutions for the work based plan.........................................................................................3
4.2 Learning style which has to be implemented to improve problems at various levels...........4
4.3 Evaluation of the effective time management strategies.......................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Own existing skills and competencies against professional standards and company's
objectives.....................................................................................................................................5
2.2 Activities which are required for meeting own development needs.....................................7
2.3 Knowing the development opportunities to meet existing and future goals.........................8
2.4 Personal and professional development plan........................................................................8
3.1 Procedures required in order to implement the development plan.......................................9
3.2 Handling the planned development operations...................................................................10
3.3 Own learning against goals and objectives set in the development plan............................10
3.4 Modification of personal PDP on the basis of evaluation...................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Personal and Professional development is the process through which an individual can
attain goals which he has desired for. Such development is all about improving behaviour &
skills at personal and professional level. It is a much wider term which cannot be restricted to a
single person but also has significance in the growth of a firm (Avalos, 2011). With the help of
self assessment, education and training personal abilities of a personnel can be enhanced. There
are various other methods or procedure which can be adopted for this as it depends on person to
person that how they reacts to a particular situation. There might be some individual who learns
from watching other people and after gaining knowledge about that specific thing they adopt that
quality in them. With the help of training, organisations can boost up the moral and confidence
of their employees. Such thing will encourage workers to do work more effectively and will also
bring quality in their profession. In this era where competition between the companies has
increased and in order to survive enterprise are training their staff as they know professional
employees will yields better results. This report will be briefing about own current skills &
competencies and along with that a development plan will be outlined.
TASK 1
1.1 Evaluation of various approaches to self managed learning and their suitability.
There are different ways or procedures which can be adopted to manage person skills.
Below mentioned are the various approaches to self managed learning.
 Seminars and Conferences
This is considered as the best way to learn or discover new things as it is process in which
someone can put his ideas and knowledge in-front of people. Whatever knowledge they have
gained in conferences can adopted and used in their personal life (Bauer, 2010). For example; a
person has attended a seminar on “how to dress at a workplace?” so according to that he started
dressing. Conferences are the productive platforms where an individual can boost its
communication skills. These are the public speaking stages which build confidence in people.
 Social Networking
21th century is an era which has seen growth of social networking sites and almost
everyone is busy scrolling and posting feeds on Facebook, Twitter and other. These sites has
been successful in transforming our life as its hard to believe the world without these because a
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lot of time is devoted to these social sites. We come across lots of posts, pictures and videos on
this, so this can be taken as advantage. People don't need to go anywhere because they can gain
knowledge about different things by the help of this. A businessman can use this to promote its
enterprise and can reach new heights.
 Internet
With the use of internet a person can access lots of data on a single topic which he wants
to learn. The biggest benefit of this is that all the data available on the internet is free of cost. A
person who is willing to write a research paper so he can look for the format and can also glance
at other paper on the same issue (Cleary and et. al., 2011). Google Scholar is one of the platform
to access research journals. After gaining information about it they can implement that on
workplace.
1.2 Ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional scenario could be entertained.
With the help of SWOT analysis I was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses.
This is a self evaluation process which assist an individual to better know himself at personal. I
have some qualities which can be called as strengths and I need to make sure that these strengths
are mentioned at every level. I posses friendly nature and believes in effective learning. There
are some weaknesses which is affecting my day to day life so I need to make sure that I does not
get frustrated (Cooke, 2012). This thing happen when my subordinates does not work according
to the plan which is given to them. There has been a financial problem but due to my saving I am
continuing my studies but in future this can become as threat and stop me from whatever I am
doing. Education can be considered as an opportunity for me. With these tools I can learn
professional skills.
Self reflective learning can produce a lot of benefits to a person and company because it
is all about managing their learning. Through this I am able to coordinate with my practical
experience which I have gained through socially and academically (Croft and et. al., 2010). In
the same manner companies also wants that their staff should possess qualities like time
management, leadership and IT skills. I will try to develop skills at my personal level and make
sure that whatever task is given to me is completed in time.
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning to an individual and organisation.
Through self learning a person and company can gain various advantages because this is
related to managing their learning. Scholar who is graduating from the university posses degree
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of various professional skills which they have learnt in university. After this they will be hoining
new work places and whatever they have learnt will benefit them in the company where they will
work (Desimone, 2011). All the knowledge of working in team will surely help them in attain the
goals because in past they have made projects and assignments through following team concept.
Projector will expand their knowledge of delivering presentation at larger level and will build
their confidence. Organisation wants that their employee should have good communication skills
which they can get from self learning. Any organisation when hiring employees looks for
candidates who are already aware about some sort of skills. Students are well aware about certain
skills and have knowledge of team work (Elliott, 2011). These scholars will easily adapt in the
working environment of the firm. Most of the skills like confident, flexible and etc. can only be
acquired from specific experiences and interests. They can emphasis on goals of the company
and can self analyse himself.
4.1 Solutions for the work based plan.
Through deep analysis it was founded that ASDA employees are facing several problems
which are impacting their business and staff is not able to yield better results. There can be many
strategies which can be followed or adopted in this case. For finding out which technique will be
more effective in this management of the firm make sure that employees gets proper platform to
put forward their demand and feedback (Gibson, Dollarhide and Moss, 2010). Such thing will
boost the moral and confidence of the staff and they will work more harder. A devoted and loyal
employees brings more productivity and profit to the company. All the work related problems
test their learning skills and capabilities. Following are the problems and their solutions:-
Quality Management: This problem is largely affecting the business of ASDA as
employees are unaware about the quality standard of the products. The customers are not
satisfied with the goods which are hampering relation between consumer and the organisation.
Managers are failing to guide the staff so that they can maintain and check the quality of the
goods.
Solution: All the quality standard and policies related to quality has to be reviewed on
regular basis.
Motivational Issues: Due to lack of training and seminar programs employees are
demotivated and results of these can be seen in their sales. Manager also failing in the attempt of
motivating staff.
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Solution: ASDA should give incentives to the workers who are doing well and on six
month interval different motivational seminars has to be organised.
4.2 Learning style which has to be implemented to improve problems at various levels.
Different styles can be used to communicate different changes. Informal and formal can
be used by the company and are used according to needs in various situations. There are
basically four styles which can be taken in account to communicate various information to three
levels in ASDA.
Promoter Style: This can be used by the individual who are socially more active and
comes out with various ideas. (Strategic level)
Controller Style: The upper level manger will consider this because they need results.
They are people who solve problem according to the task (Maskit, 2011).
Supporter Style: This is best for the superiors who are at the lower level so that they can
support individuals.
Analyser Style: Managers who are at the middle level can use this to evaluate the
performance of the staff at the operation level.
4.3 Evaluation of the effective time management strategies.
By analysing the importance of time management a strategy can be implemented to
manage time. Following are some of the time management strategies or elements of it which has
to be taken care of.
Setting Goals: All the goals which has to be attained need to be written down because
this will avoid distraction and they will only emphases on on certain important area only.
Organising Resources: Only those resources should be taken for the operations which
has significance because wastage of resources will bring liability to ASDA (McNiff, 2010).
Scheduling: All the activities need to be set according to the priorities which will give
insight that which operation will be carried out first.
Timely Finish: The existing plan should be finished at time because if delay will be there
ASDA will face more expenses.
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TASK 2
2.1 Own existing skills and competencies against professional standards and company's
objectives.
It is important to analyse strengths and weaknesses in context to organisational standards
and objectives. What all factors are affecting the professional life of that person and at the same
time if the manager will be aware about the weaknesses of his staff he will help them to improve.
He can set targets according to it and it is observed that everyone has some sort of skills which
can be beneficial in achieving those targets (Moon, 2013). I am employed as store manager at
ASDA company and I should have some abilities which is compulsory for performing all the
activities in right manner. An analysis of my skills will assist me in improving those skills and
competencies like team work, communication, listening, leadership, presentation skills and etc.
are some of them. All the mentioned quality are necessary for store management.
Professional
Skills
Current
Level
5=strong
1 =
weak
Best Current
Example
Ways to Improve
Communication
Skills
3 If there will be any
communication gap
between the
management and
workers there will be
difficulty in
completing the
operations.
A lots of techniques like
feedback system, meetings
on regular basis can show
the sign of improvement.
Professional
knowledge
3 With less knowledge
of the products it will
be harder for me to
check the quality of the
goods.
A proper training will make
sure that what all quality
measures have to be taken
in scenario for checking the
quality of the products.
Team work 5 There are lots of
benefits of team work
as it improve
efficiency in work and
bring more
productivity.
To make sure that this
quality is maintained more
projects will be given to the
employees which will
coordination between them.
Leadership Skills 4 ASDA has been To maintain this quality a
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successful in
completing the
operation in time and
this has happened
because of the better
leadership.
regular evaluation of the
store is necessary and
whatever problems are
arising should be resolved.
Curriculum Vitae
Personal Details
Name: Victor Wurtz
Address: 342, Burger House, East House
Tel. No: 545-4555
Date of Birth: 15August, 1989
Nationality: UK
Marital Status: Single
Education
1992-2004: Peter Parker School
2004-2007: Kingston College
Qualification
 Graduation in Marketing & Accounting Process
Experience
 Working as Assistant store manager at Aldi for 2 years.
Strengths
 Great leadership qualities;
 Ability to handle a team;
 Friendly nature.
By analysing the competencies there require some of the skills in order to meet the
organisational goals and objectives. As it was observed that my communication skills are weak
and my knowledge on the products are low so they can be improved by learning some qualities.
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Such thing will be reported to the head of the department and he will make sure that all the store
staff and mangers are given some sort of training (Olsen, 2015). This will enhance their
knowledge on products sold by the ASDA. On the regular interval it is necessary that feedbacks
are taken from the workers and whatever problems they are facing are resolved.
2.2 Activities which are required for meeting own development needs.
Learning new things will bring lots of advantages and will make me flexible in various
situations and surroundings. Developing new and improving the current qualities will make me
more mature. Everyone should be well versed with the his or her strengths and weaknesses, as
this will help in gaining success.
Strengths
 I believe in team work so I make sure
that all the people should get equal
opportunities.
 To get best out of the employees I
make sure that a friendly relationship is
there with them.
 In the harsh condition I know how to
lead the operations.
Weakness
 I have to emphasis on quality
management abilities.
 I need to adapt new communication
skills which will make sure that there
will be proper coordination.
Opportunities
 Need to bring new communication
policies.
 Bring transparency in work.
 Regularly attend training sessions.
Threats
 If there will be lots employees in a
single store
 New store manager
 Less productivity.
 Knowledge through training: Through personal learning there can be improvement in
the quality analysing skills and which will assist them in knowing what all things are sold
by ASDA.
 Motivation Capabilities: Skills related to motivation is necessary as motivated staff
yields better results.
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By regularly participating in the training sessions I can gain knowledge about the different kinds
of products sold by ASDA.
2.3 Knowing the development opportunities to meet existing and future goals.
Whatever opportunities exists in the business surrounding can help me in achieving
future objects. All the weaknesses have to be eliminated and if they are ignored will create
uneven situation for me. For this current and future need need to be outlined.
Current Need: Less knowledge of the quality products and communication problem are
some of the issues which are faced by me on the working are (Shagrir, 2010).
Future Need: With continuously analysing my habits and developing the need of self
learning, I can experience a growth at my personal and professional development. When proper
monitoring at person level will be there better results will come out.
Depending upon the situations there can be long and short term goals. There are some of
things which are not noticed by me so for that I have to talk and interact with my sub fellows.
To bring more positive side of me I have attend more training and seminar sessions. Aqll the
important task has to be done on the priority basis and they will be deep study of the market to
know what all things are in trends.
2.4 Personal and professional development plan.
Through better planning specified goals and objectives can be achieved. In such scenario
a handy strategy will be quite useful. All the work related skills can be improved through a
personal and professional development plan and this will give boost to my career. On the basis of
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats this plan is developed (Shortland, 2010). In this
three things are included that what all things have to be achieved and on focusing what area these
skills can be developed. The final point will be discussing about the time which will be required
to bring those skills.
SL.
no.
LEARNIN
G
OBJECTI
VE/GOAL
CURRENT
PROFICIENC
Y
TARGET
PROFICIE
NCY
DEVELOPM
ENT
OPPORTUNI
TIES
CRITERIA
FOR
JUDGING
SUCCESS
TIME
SCALE
EVIDENC
E
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1 Quality
Manageme
nt
I am facing
problem in
understanding
the quality of
the products.
To know how
what criteria
are used to
identify the
products on
the basis of
quality.
To use various
techniques to
understand the
quality
measures.
How much
knowledge I
have will be
judged by the
board of
directors who
are just above
me.
2 month Evaluation
by the board
of directors.
2 Communic
ation skills
There are some
communication
gaps which is
hampering the
proper flow of
the information.
New modes
of
communicati
on has to be
followed.
Through
regularly
participating in
the seminars
and training
sessions
various other
mode of it can
be learned.
There will be a
feedback
system which
will prove
whether some
changes has
came or not.
3 Month Reviews of
lower staff
3.1 Procedures required in order to implement the development plan.
The PDP should attain all the goals and objectives but for that proper implementation is
necessary. The basic aim of the plan is to terminate the weakness and get efficiency at the work
place. I will try my best to set a coordination between the top level employees with the workers
of the store to bring better results (Stenfors-Hayes and et. al., 2010). All the loopholes coming in
the communication process will be improved and other effective communication procedure will
be adopted. There will be regular feedback from the employees in order to analyse whether
things have changed or not. A proper gesture will be followed and motivational lectures will be
organised to make assure that no conflicts arises at the workplace due to communication gaps
(Sutherland Howard and Markauskaite, 2010). For the knowledge of the quality of the products I
have to regularly watch the quality standard set by ASDA and there will be regular inspection of
the products sold by the suppliers.
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3.2 Handling the planned development operations.
Training the employees: For making sure that there is proper communication bridge
between the management and the staff new things will be adopted. I will not face much
difficultly because most of the people working under me are educated.
Supervising: All the activities of the employees needs to be checked and all the negative
and positive things have to be taken out. For this administration and board of direction will play
a crucial role.
Feedback: To analyse the performance of PDP it is necessary that feedback from the
staff is taken on regular basis.
3.3 Own learning against goals and objectives set in the development plan.
Through self learning and managing the skills someone can know what all things a
company desire for. Through a self evaluation I can be found that how successful the plan was
and what effect it will have on the personal and professional life. Whatever changes are
mentioned in the developed plan will directly influence organisation as well as the personnel. On
the other hand it will also be analysed that whatever tasks has outlined in the plan does it really
happened or not and how much impact it has created. Various methods and techniques can be
used to find out answer of all the things (Watts, 2010). Board of directors and management are
the bodies in ASDA which inspects and observes all the activities happening in the company will
give better insight about this. Through consulting them a clear picture will come out and will be
a best option if it is taken in account. The next process which can be followed in the procedure is
taking feedback from the lower level employees and from the people who are part of this all
plan. The final step is to self analyse whether things were according to the plan or not and what
all other things needs to be done. Results are always useful because whatever you do is the
consequences of the PDP and through it proper knowledge can be gained.
3.4 Modification of personal PDP on the basis of evaluation.
Whatever reviews and feedbacks taken from the board of directors, management and
lower level employees holds a significance because these will be used to know the effectiveness
of the plan and bring the conclusion that at what places and areas I am lacking behind. The above
mentioned activity will be considered as a big support to improve the things and will encourage
to update and modify the current existing plan. All the reviews taken are important because they
have observed things from different angle. Board of directors and mangers might have higher
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expectation so they will review according to it as they see wider scope of improvement. Lower
rank workers are restricted to certain functions only so they will analyse it by keeping their
resources in mind. All the reviews combined will bring to the self assessment and there will be
generation of ideas briefing about the extra effort required for the plan (Zepeda, 2012). This
process does not have to do with the new plan because there will focus on the current PDP. Such
thing will consume less time and will bring more productivity. What all new operations and
strategies need to be included so that better results can be taken out. Different situation may arise
at different time and they will demand new things so it is compulsory to regularly update and
modify the current plan.
CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned report it is concluded that through developing personal and
professional skills will bring lots of benefits which will give certain advantages in future.
Organisations also hire candidates who has skills and capabilities so that they can adopt into the
working environment. So it becomes important that students acquire some knowledge in their
academic level. Through analysing strengths and weaknesses self evaluation can be done. In the
person and development plan all the strategies should be included so that it can yields better
results.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Avalos, B., 2011. Teacher professional development in teaching and teacher education over ten
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Bauer, W.I., 2010. Your personal learning network: Professional development on demand. Music
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Cleary, M and et. al., 2011. The views of mental health nurses on continuing professional
development. Journal of clinical nursing. 20(23‐24). pp.3561-3566.
Cooke, N.A., 2012. Professional development 2.0 for librarians: Developing an online personal
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Croft, A and et. al., 2010. Job-Embedded Professional Development: What It Is, Who Is
Responsible, and How to Get It Done Well. Issue Brief. National Comprehensive
Center for Teacher Quality.
Desimone, L.M., 2011. A primer on effective professional development. Phi delta kappan. 92(6).
pp.68-71.
Elliott, J. ed., 2011. Reconstructing teacher education (Vol. 221). Routledge.
Gibson, D.M., Dollarhide, C.T and Moss, J.M., 2010. Professional identity development: A
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Maskit, D., 2011. Teachers’ attitudes toward pedagogical changes during various stages of
professional development. Teaching and Teacher Education. 27(5). pp.851-860.
McNiff, J., 2010. Action research for professional development: Concise advice for new action
researchers. Dorset: September books.
Moon, J.A., 2013. Reflection in learning and professional development: Theory and practice.
Routledge.
Olsen, B., 2015. Teaching what they learn, learning what they live: How teachers' personal
histories shape their professional development. Routledge.
Shagrir, L., 2010. Professional development of novice teacher educators: professional self,
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Shortland, S., 2010. Feedback within peer observation: continuing professional development and
unexpected consequences. Innovations in Education and Teaching International. 47(3).
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Stenfors-Hayes, T and et. al., 2010. Being a mentor for undergraduate medical students enhances
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