Exploring Professional Development in Education

Personal and Professional
Development

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Self-managed learning approaches...................................................................................1
1.2 Ways in which personal and lifelong learning could be encouraged...............................2
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning for individual and organisation.................................3
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................3
4.1 Solutions to work based problems....................................................................................3
4.2 Communication in a variety of styles at different level of organisation..........................4
4.3 Effective time management strategies..............................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Evaluation of own current competencies and skills against professional standards........6
2.2 Identification of own development needs and activities..................................................7
2.3 Development opportunities to meet future needs.............................................................7
2.4 Personal and professional development plan...................................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Activities and processes required to implement the plan.................................................9
3.2 Undertake and document development activities.............................................................9
3.3 Critical reflection on own learning against original objectives and aim........................10
3.4 Update development plan on basis of evaluation and feedback.....................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
PPD (Personal and professional development) is a process in which different individuals
and enterprise take part to enhance their knowledge to face the challenges and to achieve desired
goals (Dabbagh and Kitsantas, 2012). This process is associated with the development needs of
both individuals and groups. Main benefit of the concept is that it gives an opportunity to a
person identify and explore the opportunities exists business environment. Various tools and
techniques are used under this concept to make the learning process more effective and
interesting. ALDI is a leading grocery retailer based in the UK that is taken in this report to study
various concepts related to PPD. Various self-managed learning approaches and different
methods for encouraging professional learning are described in this report. Further, benefits of
self-managed learning for both company and individuals are also detailed. Various strategies of
managing time and different styles of communication at different levels of a company are also
studied here.
TASK 1
1.1Approaches of self-managed learning
Different approaches of self-managed learning are exist in business environment which
can be adopted by a person for managing his or her learning. Before choosing any approach it is
very essential for the individual to identify his current skills and knowledge. Moreover the main
approaches which can be choose by the ALDI include the following: Visionary approach: This approach guide an individual about the different methods
which can be adopted by him for manage the self-managed learning and guide him to
understand the future trends (Wichadee, 2011). Main benefit of this is that it provide
opportunity to the individual to develop skills to fulfil the future requirements. Setting objectives and goals: This approach is different from the visionary approach. The
main focus of this is to achieve a specific objective rather than understand the future
needs and trends. Various efforts are done to develop specific skill in the individuals so
he can achieve the specific goal. Strategic approach: This is one of the effective approaches. In this, a strategic model is
build up in the individual's mind so he can effectively respond in complex situations.
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 Seminars & conferences: Different type of individuals belongs from different
background take part in seminars and exchange their views and ideas with each other.
This provide an opportunity to the individual to learn new things and concept about
culture of others. Further this enhance the confidence level of an individual to speak in
front of others.
1.2 Ways in which personal and lifelong learning could be encouraged
It is very necessary for an individual or a group to use an effective style of learning
because this give shape to the whole process of learning. Management of learning style is very
necessary to develop special skills. Various methods are used by the manager of ALDI to
enhance the knowledge of their workers and to make sure that employees are able to adapt new
things easily (Florian, 2012). Concept of self-development guide individual about what is the
right path to develop skills. All this guide and assist individual how to behave in complex
situations. Main ways of manage and encourage the personal learning can be understand by the
following points: Collaborative continuous learning: Under this approach enterprise focus on
development of various teams and then guide in the same direction for enhance their
skills and knowledge. Main benefit of this is that effective teams are formed under this in
which individual share their ideas and thoughts with each other. It assist in finding
appropriate solution to the issue and working in a team ensure that everyone is take part
in continuous learning. Evaluation & analysis of own: In this a person first identify his own strengths and
weakness. A development plan is made by him on the basis of assessment. Leadership: Leaders play an effective role in the whole process of self-development
(Kennedy, 2011). They are the one who motivate a group of individuals about the self-
development process and guide them to improve their skills and knowledge.
 Communication and relationship: Effective communication play an essential role in the
whole process of self-development. This clears roles and responsibilities of all
individuals involve in the process and increase the effectiveness of whole programme.
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