Exploring Professional Development in Education

This assignment delves into the critical topic of professional development for educators. It examines different perspectives on what constitutes effective professional development, exploring its impact on teacher growth, student learning, and educational systems. The assignment also analyzes various models and strategies for delivering professional development, considering factors such as online learning, collaborative networks, and mentorship programs.

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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1.3 Benefits for individual and organisation by self-managed learning
Whole process of self-managed learning provide number of advantages to both
individuals and organisation. One of the main benefit of this is that it ensure the development of
skilled candidates for the process of organisation (Mitchell, 2013). This gives an opportunity to
individuals to learn something new for explore all the opportunities.
Benefits to employees from the process of personal and professional development is
stated below in the following points: Enhance decision making capabilities of an individual: Various tools and methods are
used under the concept of professional development which give knowledge to the
individual about how to deal in critical situations (Chong, 2011). Further, this helps him
in taking better and effective decision at workplace.
 Increase abilities and specific knowledge of an individual: In this, a person is put on the
path of learning and at the end of process he learn a lot of skills.
Benefits to organisation are: Increase effectiveness and efficiency of organisational activities: Enhancement of skills
of employees increase their productivity and profits of the firm. All this increase the
effectiveness of business operations. Encourage team working: Various programmes of development concept encourage the
team working. This increase efficiency of production process and provide better solution
to the issues rise at workplace.
 Better relations with employees: Main benefit of using self-managed approaches is that it
makes the working environment of firm more healthy and interesting. All this better the
relation of employer and employee.
TASK 4
4.1 Solutions to work based problems
Every type of business firm whether small, large or medium face various kind of issues
and problems at workplace (How to Solve Problems, 2017). It is very essential for the firms to
identify main cause of the problem and solve it to achieve the desired results. At present main
issue which is face bye ALDI is as follow:
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Collaborative working: As firm is operating on an international levels that's why number
of people from different culture are presently working in company (Hicks and et. al., 2014). A
survey has revealed the fact that there is lack of coordination and cooperation among the various
activities of firm's department which is increasing the overall cost of business operations. This is
very necessary for the firm to solve this issue to achieve the set business objectives and utilise all
the available resources at an optimum level. Main reason behind this is unnecessary rules and
regulation of firm which is increasing both time and cost of the communication process and is
creating unnecessary obstacles in the communication process.
Solution: To solve the problem it is very necessary for the company to choose an
effective method. Various techniques which can be used by ALDI to solve this can be
understood by the following points: Team building and working: In this method manager use various techniques to develop
effective teams to execute all operations (Hanraets, Hulsebosch and de Laat, 2011). This
method not only provide effective solutions to the problem but also enhance the
knowledge of workers.
 Development of effective communication channels: In order to remove the problem and
to increase the cooperation among various business operation, manager of ALDI is liable
to build and use effective communication channel.
4.2 Communication in a variety of styles at different level of organisation
Different styles of communication which occur at various level of enterprise can be
understood by the points stated below: Verbal communication: This is one of the common most used type of communication.
Under this sender of message use the help of symbols and words to send his message to
the receiver (Fechter, 2012). This is more formal type of communication as compared
with written communication and this occur at the lower level of enterprise. It is very
essential for the sender to use effective and easy words while communicating so that
receiver can easily understand the message. Non-verbal communication: Under this, sender use gestures, body language, facial
expressions and various type of symbols to send the message. Written communication: In this type of communication sender write his data on a paper
and then send it to the receiver (Communication Styles, 2017.). This is more formal
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communication and basically take place at the top level of organisation. Main
disadvantage of this is that it is very lengthy process of communication.
 Public communication: When an individual give a speech in front of large number of
individuals than this is known as public communication (Alfaro and Quezada, 2010).
Inform, persuade and inform are the main reason behind this type of communication.
4.3 Effective time management strategies
In today's business environment it is very essential for every company to complete all the
tasks in time. It help firm in getting competitive advantage in the market. Managing time
increasing effectiveness of decisions taken place at workplace. Main strategies which can be
used by the manager of ALDI for managing time can be understood by the following: Setting goals and objectives: Effective goals and objectives can be set by the company
for manage time (Chipchase, Johnston and Long, 2012). In this way employees can give
direction to their work and can contribute more in the firm's success. Organise: In this manager of company do various efforts for organise the resources in
order to utilise them and to achieve the desired results. Scheduling: A schedule is prepared by the company for its employees to complete all the
task in given time. Time bound: In this manager introduce new methods for completing all the tasks in
minimum time. Proactive: Performance evaluation of workers is done by the manager to identify gaps in
the current skills of subordinates.
 Focused: In this method all the activities of firm are focused in a particular direction to
achieve desired objectives.
All this are the main and effective strategies which could be used by the manager of ALDI for
managing time.
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluation of present competencies and ability against professional standards
Before choose an approach or method for development process it is very necessary for
the individual to first identify its own strengths and weakness. This process is also known as self-
auditing (Frost, 2012). Specific skills which should be there in a store manager to perform all the
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tasks effectively are stated below and evaluation against the set standard can also understood by
the following table:
Sl.
No.
Competencies and Skills Score Score
from
others
Variances
1 Problem solving skill 8 9 -1
2 Team development and management 7 10 -3
3 Good listening 7 7 0
4 Research skill 5 6 -1
5 I provide motivation? 8 5 3
6 My efficiency and effectiveness 4 6 2
7 Quality standards? 7 7 0
8 Good team member? 4 5 -1
9 Type of leadership style? 8 5 3
This table is the evaluation of my own current skills against the set standards. All the
negative points are indicate my strengths while all the positive numbers are indicate my
weakness. On the basis of above table I prepare my CV.
Name:
Address:
Education:
Qualification:
Graduation
Masters in Marketing
Experience:
Working in ALDI from last 1 year
Strengths:
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Team development skill
Problem solving skill
Research quality
Good team member
Confidence
2.2 Identify own development activities and needs
Comparison or evaluation of my own abilities against objective of enterprise assists me
in identify my development needs. Some skills are there which I have required to develop in me:
 I have to enhance my motivation skill.
 I have to improve my leadership skill.
For improve these skills of mine, following tools and techniques can be used by me Seminars and conferences: I can participate in different number of seminars and
conferences as this will provide me an opportunity to enhance level of my knowledge. Simulation training: In this method, an artificial environment is created and then
individual is put into that to learn how he can behave in some critical situations
(Stephenson and Yorke, 2013).
 Managerial guidance: I can take advice or guidance from my seniors to attain my set
objectives and goals.
2.3 Development opportunities to meet future needs
It is very necessary for an individual to have enough number of opportunities to learn
new skills and to attain both current and future goals. In this way he can get various short and
long term benefits. To get this he can participate in the following:
 Involvement in decision making process.
 Participation in various sessions of brainstorming.
 By using library individual can increase the level of his research skill.
 Concept of SMART objectives and goals.
 Participation in seminars and conferences.
 Use of internet.
All this can be done by the individual to achieve desired results.
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2.4 Professional and personal development plan
SL.
no.
LEARNING
OBJECTIVE/
GOAL
CURRENT
PROFICIENCY
TARGET
PROFICIENCY
DEVELOPM
ENT
OPPORTUNI
TIES
CRITERIA
FOR
JUDGING
SUCCESS
TIME
SCALE
EVIDE
NCE
1 Leadership
skill
Use of
autocratic
style of
leadership.
Need to adapt
the
democratic
style for
working.
Learn from
managers
working at
top or
middle
level.
Judgement
of top
executives.
5 days Report
of top
manag
ers.
2 Motivationa
l skills
At present I
use the
traditional
theories of
motivation.
This is a time
I need to learn
more about
the modern
theories of
motivation
and apply the
same.
Conference,
seminars,
speeches
and various
programmes
related with
the topic
leadership.
Workers
working in
my team.
5 days Judge
ment
of my
peers.
3 Effectivenes
s and
efficiency
Methods
which I used
currently are
not much
effective.
Adoption of
new methods
and
techniques.
Support and
guidance
from top
managers.
Written
report.
Minimum
3 months
Judge
ment
of
lower
level
manag
ers.
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TASK 3
3.1 Activities & processes needed to implement the plan
In order to design effective and successful developmental plan, it is necessary that an
individual should follow certain steps so that desired result can be generated (Magrane and et.
al., 2012). There is description of process which should be applied by management while
developing a plan that are given below- Find a target time scale: Setting a time frame is very necessary during the implemetation
of development strategies. Learning strategies- Responsibilities are given to everyone to make them understand
about the various of doing a work.
 Learning resources: Sources of learning can be education paper, computer, textbooks
and can be many more. It is very necessary to use all the resources adequately to
implement the development strategy effectively.
 Feedbacks: This is one of the powerful and more effective method of assessment. For
this feedback of employees and customer survey can be done.
3.2 Undertake and document development activities
It is very necessary to remove the gap between the actual and standard performance. For this
there are some activities which can be followed by ALDI:
Training In this manager of company conduct various training and development
programme to enhance the skills of workers (Kumagai, 201). This help
them in improve their performance at workplace and solve issues.
Management of
change
It is very essential that whole process should be implemented and
managed effectively. At this phase firm required effective managers to
record the improvements.
Learning
strategies:
These strategies are adopted by the company to enhance abilities of its
workers.
Research In this step top manager collect relevant information to make the
development plan more effective.
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Monitoring and
evaluation:
This is one of the most important step as this help manager and guide him
in do necessary modifications.
3.3 Critical reflection on own learning against original objectives and aim
Evaluation of own learning is done by the manager for identify his own improvements
against the set objectives. Methods which can be used by an individual for this can be understood
by the following points: Formal meetings: This is the most used and effectual method of evaluation. In this
progress report of person is presented in front of his seniors (Byington and
Tannock,2011). They evaluate the findings of the report by do assessment of individual's
skills. After that senior's recommend the ways in which individual can improve more.
 Own motivation: In absence of lack of motivation no can increase the level of his
knowledge and can not learn new things in an organisation. It is very necessary than an
individual should have enough motivation so he can find out the best and new way of
learning and can achieve the desired results of development plan.
From the personal and professional development plan I learn new things to deal with
other people. This will help me to adjust in the corporate world easily and in this way I can
explore the opportunities of growth. All activities of development plan help me in develop my
leadership skills and I learn number of new methods to increase my efficiency and effectiveness.
3.4 Update development plan on basis of evaluation and feedback
Do necessary changes in the development plan is very necessary to get effective results.
This can be done on the basis of collected feedback and on own evaluation (Spanneut, Tobin and
Ayers, 2012). Following factors in which change can be introduce include the following: Training methods: If current training methods are not effective than manager of ALDI
can use a mix of both on the job and off the job training methods. In this way learning
process of individual can be more effective and interesting. Different approaches: A change can be introduce by firm in the approaches use for the
learning process of individual. By doing this effective results of learning programme can
be achieve by company.
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 Motivation required: Maintain a positive and optimum level of motivation is very
essential for an individual to learn new skills (Linn, 2013). In absence of this he can not
increase the level of his knowledge.
SL.
no.
LEARNING
OBJECTIVE/
GOAL
CURRENT
PROFICIENCY
TARGET
PROFICIENCY
DEVELOPM
ENT
OPPORTUNI
TIES
CRITERIA
FOR
JUDGING
SUCCESS
TIME
SCALE
EVIDE
NCE
1 Leadership
skill
Use of
autocratic
style of
leadership.
Need to adapt
the modern
strategies of
leadership
Learn from
managers
working at
top or
middle
level.
Judgement
of top
executives.
2 days Report
of top
manag
ers.
2 Motivation
al skills
At present I
use the
traditional
theories of
motivation.
Application of
modern
theories
Conferences
and other
learning
programmes
.
Workers
working in
my team.
4 days Judge
ment
of my
peers.
CONCLUSION
From the above information, it can be summarised that concept of professional and
personal development is necessary in today's business environment for a enterprise like ALDI. It
offer a variety of advantages to workers and enterprise both. This guides in an effective way in
which an individual can evaluate his own capabilities against the skills required in a firm.
Further, it has been assessed from the report that various time strategies can be used by company
to complete all its operations on time.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Chipchase, L.S., Johnston, V. and Long, P.D., 2012. Continuing professional development: the
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Chong, S., 2011. Development of teachers' professional identities: From pre-service to their first
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Dabbagh, N. and Kitsantas, A., 2012. Personal Learning Environments, social media, and self-
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Magrane and et. al., 2012. Systems of career influences: A conceptual model for evaluating the
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Stephenson, J. and Yorke, M. eds., 2013. Capability and quality in higher education. Routledge.
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