Continuous Professional development Essay Example for Free

Continuous Professional development Essay Continuous professional development (CPD) is a framework of learning and development that ensures a professional’s competency, effectiveness, knowledge, skills and practice are continually kept up to date through ‘lifelong learning’ strategies and activities. There is not a fixed CPD standard or structure and a ‘one size fits all’ process would not work for all professions and individuals who work for companies with diverse objectives and working practices. The various approaches may have common themes and goals such as setting objectives for development and charting progress towards them, or asking questions such as where I want to be, and how I plan to get there. Reflection is also a key element of the process. Just as important is the motivation and responsibility of professionals for keeping their own skills and knowledge up to date. An early definition of CPD was developed in 1986 by the Construction Industry Council (UK). However, Friedman et al. (2000) found that it was still the most commonly cited definition of CPD among UK professional bodies in 1999. ‘The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills, and the development of personal qualities necessary for execution of professional and technical duties throughout the individual’s working life’. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) suggest the following elements of a good and broad CPD structure. be a documented process be self-directed: driven by you, not your employer focus on learning from experience, reflective learning and review help you set development goals and objectives include both formal and informal learning. CIPD further suggest the benefits to CPD practitioners provides an overview of your professional development to date reminds you of your achievements and how far youve progressed directs your career and helps you keep your eye on your goals uncovers gaps in your skills and capabilities Opens up further development needs provides examples and scenarios for a CV or interview demonstrates your professional standing to clients and employers helps you with your career development or a possible career change. CPD can involve any relevant learning activity, whether formal and structured or informal and self-directed. Good CPD practice will include a variety of learning models that help professionals remain competent and up to date. Whatever the model or structure the process should highlight the needs of the job, strengths and weaknesses of learners and their future goals so learning gaps can be addressed. Listed below are examples and a short explanation of types of CPD learning and practice. The training model – often delivered by an expert in a classroom type environment. The award-bearing model – validation achieved via a standard or qualification. The deficit model – weak performance highlighted and measures taken to improve it. The cascade model – one learner cascading their learning down to other colleagues. The standards-based model meeting standards, often highlighted in observations. The coaching/mentoring model – on the job training that includes shadowing. The community of practice model – secondment or interagency training initiatives. The transformative model – flexible approach involving many of the above models. My own development is based very much on the transformative model of CPD that involves a range of both formal and informal learning, this provides me with the up to date knowledge and skills I need to do my job competently. Schunk describes learning as, ‘Learning is an enduring change in behaviour or in the capacity to behave in a given fashion which results from practice or other forms of experience’. Schunk, Learning theories, 5th ed, 2008 Formal learning through training or qualification is often related to something specific, like a skill or competence. Formal training may include on-line and CD-ROM based courses or full or part time study leading to qualifications. Development on the other hand can be more informal and has a broader outlook on learning and may include private study such as reading, observing and reflection. Structured continual learning is important in any profession because new research and practices may require new knowledge and skills. For example the QCF Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development is one example of formal learning that I have considered and want to undertake. This is for both professional and financial reasons. Professionally it proves a level of academic ability, knowledge and credibility. It is the standard that many career companies now expect from professionals delivering career guidance in schools. Gaining the qualification should also help me remain competitive when applying for a job and hopefully keep me within a reasonable pay scale. Conferences, workshops and seminars also help keep professionals up to date with changes to practice and can be a vehicle for networks to be built up and experiences shared. On the job training such staff training, shadowing, secondment, coaching and mentoring all provide excellent provision for professionals to learn new skills and build up work based knowledge. Professionals may also learn by taking part in working groups or involvement in research projects. Babcock recognises the benefit of CPD and is committed to broadening and developing all employees’ knowledge and skills in the pursuit of excellence. They understand the process helps promote career development and ensure legislation and contractual agreements are met. The company handbook CPD at Babcock Education and Training – Guidance for Staff’, describes the process of CPD as, ‘’any activity which increases the knowledge, skills and understanding of staff, improves job satisfaction and raises company performance’’. The policy strongly advocates that practitioners should be accountable for their own personal growth and not solely rely on the company for training and development. It also requires professionals to maintain competent levels of learning as directed by their own professional bodies. If professionals are to be committed to their own CPD practice then there needs to be a certain level of self-motivation. Career Advisers as with all professionals need to remain competent to practice, regardless of whether they qualified yesterday, last year or twenty-five years ago. (Golding ; Gray, 2006) agree and suggest that the last day of professional training signals the beginning of lifelong learning. According to Maslow (1943) hierarchy of needs that suggests people are motivated by a range of wants such as basic needs from food and shelter right up to the final stage of self-actualization and fulfillment. Herzberg (1959) showed that to motivate an employee a business needs to create conditions that make them feel fulfilled in the workplace. He suggested motivators such as achievement, recognition, work itself, responsibility and advancement will motivate the worker to want to succeed and do well. Both models recognise that when conditions are right workers want to do a good job and find satisfaction in their work. I would argue that professionals such as career advisers go further by recognising their duty of care to clients and desire to serve them well by providing the best service possible. This is only achieved by having up to date skills and a positive outlook on personal learning and development. CPD clearly benefits professionals, employers, customers and users. For it to be best utilised practitioners may need some form of CPD training. Learning how to learn is a skill in itself, Joyce and Showers (2001) suggest that a positive impact on performance is more likely if training is provided on it. Cunningham (2001) agrees and says ‘’It cannot be ‘caught; people must be trained in the process’’ A full understanding of the CPD process gives the practitioner a methodical and structured approach to their learning that can be flexible and involve a number of learning styles that best suits the learner’s needs. My own CPD practice and planning is assisted through various policies and templates implemented by Babcock. Supervision meetings with line-managers take place every 6-8 weeks where performance against SMART targets (objectives broken down to specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely goals) are discussed and feedback given. Before annual reviews take place a pre-review template is filled in by the member of staff. This process alone demands employees to take time to reflect on their past performance and draw attention to skill gaps and future training needs. Another template used during the annual review guides both practitioner and line-manager through the process. This tool asks questions that demands a certain level of thought and reflection. Questions are asked around time spent on an activity, why it was done, what was learned and can it be shared with others. The pre-review template and review process agree much with guided reflective theory developed by Johns (1995) where he suggests a series of questions can challenge the motivation and rationale for actions. These questions from a third party can help guide learners through the reflective process. Johns suggested reflective diaries and sharing experience with others can lead to a greater understanding than reflections done alone. Though I do not keep a written diary of reflection I do reflect constantly and can relate to Schon’s ‘reflection in action’ and ‘reflection on’ practice. I also incorporate much of Rolfe (2000) Driscoll’s (2000) thinking by asking what, so what and now what into my practice. Another simple strategy I endorse and find useful is SWOT analysis, a technique accredited to Albert Humphrey in the 1950’s that asks practitioners to scrutinize their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Practitioners can also be unaware of issues in their own practice, this is suggested by the Jo Harari window, developed by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham in 1955; it proposes that others see things about us to which we may be blind. New objectives and action plans can then be agreed and formalised. Feedback from supervision and annual review meetings help to evaluate work and clarify agreed targets and future development tasks. The meetings also offer a platform to formally raise concerns or requests for training. A training request was made after I became aware of a number of young people in school who seemed to be unmotivated, withdrawn or depressed. I had no knowledge of mental health issues and felt out of my depth to offer solutions and wanted to be able to offer better front-line support. I approached my line-manager and it was suggested I investigate possible training options. I later attended three one day courses on adolescent mental health that were free of charge and run by Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH). The training was around spotting mental health disorders, early intervention and ideas for support in school. Networking is also a valuable source of gathering information and developing support channels. It was through a network that I learned of the free training delivered by CAMHS. Another effective learning tool is observation. Feedback from formal interview observations and those from colleagues, teachers, pupils, parents and others has benefited my overall reflections and development by highlighting levels of performance. Critical thinking allows me to analyse different qualities, talents, views and opinions of others. I often ask myself whether I would have handled a situation differently to a colleague and would my actions have made the situation better or worse? Writing regular case studies has been useful when reflecting on my work. They help me focus on what went well and what hasn’t gone so well. The discipline of writing down events and analysing them requires much deeper thought processes. Attending regular training events and seminars ensures I remain up to date with new practice, law and policy changes. Training has broadened my knowledge around specialist areas such as homelessness and sex education. Some training programmes are also compulsory requirements of Babcock and include child protection training or online courses like equality and diversity. Attendance at staff meetings keep me up to date with events in the careers industry and practice at a local level. Often meetings include training workshops, group discussions and presentations from guest speakers. As a group member of the Career Development Institute I receive regular updates, advice and information on topical subjects through journals and annual conferences. In summary CPD is an investment that gives professionals a methodical structure to directly link learning with practice. It records learning undertaken and helps plot any future training. Confidence and professional credibility can be boosted and it may accelerate career advancement. Through creative thinking and tackling new challenges personal interest and job satisfaction can also be increased.

tragoed Destiny and Fates Triumph Over Free Will in Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex) :: Oedipus the King Oedipus Rex

The Tragedy of Fate in Oedipus the King      Ã‚   Oedipus the King is widely regarded as a tragedy of fate.   Briefly stated, it begins with a terrible plague that destroys the city.   King Oedipus sends a messenger to the oracle at Delphi to find a cure.   The answer that is received suggests to find out who the killer of King Laios was.   Oedipus sends for the prophet Teiresias, who after much arguing, finally reveals that Oedipus himself is the murderer.   Slowly but surely the history of Oedipus' situation begins to unravel, and it is discovered that there was a prophecy made that he would unwittingly kill his father and marry his mother; Oedipus fulfilled his prophecy.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The conflict here lies with the struggle between the all powerful gods and the mere will of the humans.   The prophecy had been made about Oedipus as soon as he was born.   Once the destiny was foretold by the gods, no amount of hope, faith, or vain effort by human beings could have prevented it.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As soon as there was interference with fate, it was counteracted by the divinities.   Jocasta wanted to kill the baby, so she skewed his legs together, had a servant bring him to the forest and leave him for dead.   The servant does not want to carry out this deed and therefore "saves his life" by handing the baby to someone else, so that he can be raised in another city.   Further, a drunken man in a tavern tells Oedipus about the prophecy, so he runs home to question his parents about his fate.   Instead of telling him the truth, they give him the impression that they are in fact his biological parents.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The idea that must be pointed out here, is that once an oracle or a prophet makes a prediction, it is destined to be and there is absolutely nothing that can be done about it.   Oedipus was highly regarded as a noble and honorable king.   However, if we explore beneath the exterior, we will discover that in actuality, the King has many faults and is not so honorable and noble.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Oedipus seems to be driven by an unconscious rage.   Being very short tempered, he is quick to lash out at those whose opinions are different from his.

Critical Response on “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” Essay

There have been many struggles in history between authority and those who oppose it. The most obvious and most common example is revolutions against governments. We live in a society where stability and assimilation are not just recommended, but also enforced. We have the right for civil disobedience, so long as it is non-violent and within reason. In the book, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, R.P McMurphy, a â€Å"brawling, gambling man† enters a mental asylum in Oregon, and begins to wage war â€Å"on behalf of his fellow inmates†. However he finds himself at odds with Nurse Ratched, a strict, manipulative and methodical woman who runs the ward like a â€Å"precision-made machine†. The book follows McMurphy’s actions that constantly clash with the Nurse, and what she represents: authority. By the end of the book, there are many examples of struggles against the higher power, and it is in my opinion that the statement â€Å"when authority and indi viduals come into conflict, authority always wins out† is incorrect, because individuals do not have to win the physical conflict to win the battle of brains. From day one, the reader finds that McMurphy is out to cause trouble. Gambling is illegal in the ward, but McMurphy declares that he was sent to the institution â€Å"to bring [the inpatients] some fun an’ entertainment around the gaming table†(p. 16). He starts interrupting daily meetings, which the Nurse treats with much importance. And whenever he is reprimanded for something, he laughs. The laughing is the most important part of his self-defence, as it is the only legal way he can fight back against authority. It is a symbol of defiance, and a sign of McMurphy’s freedom. It shows that, no matter what the institution does to him, he still has his mental independence. As the reader progresses further on in the story, McMurphy makes a bet that he can â€Å"get [the Nurse’s] ‘goat'†. When he finds he has no ward-clothes (p. 79), he runs around in a towel, threatening to drop it at times, while the distressed Nurse tries, in vain, to make him get dressed. Then, the same morning, he takes bets on his accuracy about throwing butter at the clock (p. 85). McMurphy wants to watch the World Series, and takes a vote from all the saner patients. While all of them vote to watch it, the Nurse shuts the  idea down, even when McMurphy gets the majority. When airing on television (p. 114), he stops work and proceeds to turn on the television, sit down, and watch the game. When the rest of the men decide to stop work and join him, and the Nurse turns the power off, they continue to watch, just to show that her power and authority has nothing over them. This is an example of individuals fighting against authority. They might not be successful in the real world (having to wear clothes, not being able to watch the baseball game), but inside they’re freer than they’ve ever been before. Being downtrodden and strict by the Nurse forced them to become less Things begin to grow bigger and more important as the story progresses. McMurphy realizes that his release is dependent on his good behavior, and tones down his obnoxious acts. However, he still finds that Nurse Ratched is going to keep him in the hospital for as long as she wants. He tries to be subdued, and in doing so, another rebellious inmate called Cheswick, who had tried very hard to be like McMurphy, kills himself, because he thinks that McMurphy has been defeated (p. 136). Nurse Ratched sees the change in McMurphy, and to gain total control of the ward, she demands penance for the insubordination during the World Series. McMurphy smiles and nods, but destroys the glass that separates the nurses’ room from the ward, to show his true feelings (p. 155). He excuses himself, saying that the window was â€Å"so spick an’ span [that he] completely forgot it was there†. This shows how he is standing up to authority, and while he doesn’t change anything in the real world, it shows the inmates and himself that inside they are free. Part III describes McMurphy’s fishing expedition. He takes the men on an excursion on a fishing boat, much against the Nurse’s wishes, but by tricking the doctor to come along, he succeeds. While there is not much about Nurse Ratched in that part, Chief Bromden, the narrator of the story, notices that the Combine is working on the outside too – with commuters and houses and children (p. 186). He had been in the ward for about 20 years, and a lot had probably passed since he was younger. However, this glimpse into society makes them realize that they (as patients) aren’t as monotonous as this, and they can be more free than they are already. Within a week of the trip, Nurse Ratched is ready with her new plan. She tries to show McMurphy as a con man, stealing and wining money from all the patients. But she is shocked to discover that all the patients were happy to lose that money, as they enjoyed themselves, and weren’t using it for anything else anyway. After a few more instances of insurgence (McMurphy and Bromden’s fight with the staff {p. 215}; continuous interruptions to ward procedures {p. 229}), the final insurrection came: McMurphy’s party. McMurphy organizes for two of his â€Å"friends† to come to the ward for a party that would also serve as his breakout. After a great night, everyone falls asleep, and in the morning, the day-staff came before anyone can wake up in time. After searching for Billy Bibbit, and finding him unashamed of his actions the previous night, the Nurse gives him a guilt trip, threatening to tell his mother, and then locking him in the ward’s doctor’s room. Billy commits suicide, and the Nurse tries to blame it on McMurphy’s lack of respect for authority. Realising that any chances of surviving are ruined, and that his battle with authority is now at it’s final stage, McMurphy sacrifices himself (and consequently his mental-independence) by attacking Nurse Ratched, exposing her as a vulnerable woman, and destroying any sense of authority and control she had left over the patients. This is the final action between two desperate factions: the authority and the autonomy. The showdown ends with McMurphy being captured, but because the other patients see the nurse as a woman, and not as the dominant Nurse, she can never have the same control over them as she had previously had. McMurphy is lobotomized, but before the ward can see him in his vegetable-like state, Chief Bromden smothers him with a pillow, and then breaks down a wall to freedom. The patients never get to see McMurphy as a vegetable, so their last memory of him alive is his attack on the Nurse. McMurphy is remembered as a symbol of resistance, and as a hero against the authority that had cowed the patients for so long. I believe that McMurphy shows the reader that while the authority may be able to make you conform, you can still remain free inside, which is more important than anything else on earth. Because it is against national  regulations to take away freedom, and as long as you have your sanity and your mental independence, nothing can beat you.

Year-Round Schooling The Way to Go Essay - 1504 Words

Year-Round Schooling: The Way to Go Many people feel that no school should have a year-round schedule because it is not right for children be in school year round. Despite this feeling, many schools have changed their schedule to a year-round one to benefit their students as well as their teachers. Year-round schooling (YRS), also know as year-round education (YRE), is a good way to better students’ education. It betters students’ education by provided more frequent breaks, and giving student opportunites to participate in inter-sessions. The first year-round school in the United States was in Bluffton, Indiana in the year 1904. The purpose of changing their schedule to a year-round one was to increase the school building capacity,†¦show more content†¦The 45-15 and 45-10 schedules are divided into 45 school days and 15, or 10, days of vacation. The 60-20 and 60-15, and the 45-15 and 45-10 plans can be, and usually are, combined with either the single or multi-track systems. In the Concept 6 plan, the school year is divided into six 43 day terms. This term is similar to block scheduling. Students and teachers go to two consecutive sessions and then they have one session off (Palmer Bemis, 1999). â€Å"Some of the perceived advantages are: improved achievement, improved teacher and student attendance, reduction in discipline problems, reduction in teacher stress, increased motivation among teachers and students after returning refreshed from more frequent breaks, and increased availability of enrichment opportunities during inter-sessions† (Palmer Bemis, 1999). Students normally feel more refreshed after breaks and are willing to get back into learning and doing school work. Since there are many breaks in a year-round schedule, students learn more due to the fact that they receive many breaks to get refreshed. People may think the traditional schedule is better because you get a long summer break, but it is not necessarily better. Coming back to school in September after a long relaxing summer break, students tend to forget everything they learned the previous school year. Giving the students an opportunity to enroll in inter-sessions is a great way for exploration, to see what skillShow MoreRelatedYear Round Schooling: Should It Be Implemented? Essay932 Words   |  4 Pages One of the most talked about issues of schooling today, would be year round schooling. The program started as a new way to learn. The old way and still the way most schools calendar is set up was designed the way it is due to harvest times, when the United States was a farming country. There have been many studies done, and some schools have already implemented this program. The studies and the schools that have gone ahead and implemented the program have seen both good things and bad things inRead MoreEssay about Year Round Education839 Words   |  4 PagesWhy  Take  on  Year  Round  Schooling?  Ã‚      â€Å"Pop  quiz,  lets  see  what  you  remember.†Ã‚  Often  people  realize,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Shoot!  I  forgot   everything  from  last  year!†Ã‚  Why  go  through  that  I ­have ­no ­idea ­how ­to ­do ­this  kind  of   stress  when  year  round  education  can  fix  that  so  simply.  Even  though  year  round   schooling  is  uncommon,  it  will  make  a  positive  impact  on  society.  In  the  United  States   there  are  only  3,181  year  round  schools  that  exist,  but  the  number  is  still  continuing  to   grow.  Year  round  schooling  promotes  higher  levels  of  excellence  for  students  and  Read MoreEssay On Year Round School722 Words   |  3 Pages Year round schooling should be a thing. The time we leave school and go back to school is crazy now we get about a month off and when we leave we forget everything we have learned the past year. Its preposterous and repetitive, why forget everything we learned and struggle to relearn it when we could just stay in school. Most kids are against it because they dont want to lose their summer vacation but when it comes down to it, youd get more time off and more breaks if you had year round schoolingRead More Year Round Schooling Speech Essay examples642 Words   |  3 PagesYear Round Schooling Speech Have you ever thought about what life would be like having to go to school year round? Well kids today feel that with all the pressure and work they have during the school year, they need the 3 month break time period in order to regroup themselves and have a change of scenery. 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Children also look forward to going back to school after summer break. They are so excited for the first day of class that they have to get all new school supplies. They wake up extra early and are ready to learn on that first day. If school was all year round, I believe students would never look forward to school and would affect theirRead MoreEssay on Year Round Schooling Gets an F-752 Words   |  4 Pagesever. The solution to their concerns of students weakening education is the method of Year Round Schools. This supposed â€Å"education-saving† method offers the same amount of school days except the traditional summer break is exchanged for smaller breaks throughout the year. Although this method is supposed to boost students learning and intelligence it is actually not all that it is cracked up to be. Year Round Schooling essentially causes more harm than good because it does not benefit the students atRead MoreEssay about Year-Round Schooling: A Push for the Better1020 Words   |  5 Pages INTRODUCTION Most schools in America today follow the traditional 180-day schooling system. This system was started in the 19th century when schooling for children began. There was a 10-week summer vacation for the students to help their families on the farm for harvesting. In March of 2009, President Barak Obama suggested to the public his Race to the Top program. The program is to extend the school hours or extend the school days. â€Å"We can no longer afford an academic calendar designedRead MoreThe Traditional School Calendar and The Introduction of a Year-Round Education1309 Words   |  6 PagesFor as long as most can remember, schooling has been based on a ten-month calendar. Although it was established for an agricultural society it is still extremely common in today’s urban society. The introduction of year-round education, though it clearly makes more sense for todays students, is still a relatively new concept and therefore is subject to a lot of speculation. With benefi ts such as, remediation, better chances for high-risk and ESL students, economic benefits, and more structure/stabilityRead MoreYear Round Schooling Is Not The Same Length1018 Words   |  5 PagesYear round schooling is a topic that is being discussed in schools everywhere in the world today. (1) Many schools within the country wish to enroll themselves in year-round schooling in the upcoming years. (1) Though many wish to switch to this year round schedule, many others disprove of the idea. A large amount of surveyed people in studies shows that the school year should remain the same length. While reading this paper, the thought may come to mind of, â€Å"What exactly is year round schooling