Key to success is reflecting on your priorities

CPD monitoring confirms high standards

The annual CPD monitoring process took place this spring, with the CPD committee reviewing submissions requested from a small number of corporate members randomly selected from our membership database.

The committee were pleased to see a high standard of submissions by members; CPD objectives were set out clearly, and the recorded activities were both interesting and innovative. Many submissions provided a helpful insight into the learning outcomes for the activities, and how it improved their performance at work. We would like to thank all members who took part in the monitoring process.

When reviewing the submissions the committee first looked at how members set out their annual priorities. By identifying learning requirements, members have the opportunity to align their professional role with their personal development aims. The committee then considered how the CPD activities listed met these aims, recognising that additional learning opportunities that arise during the year are both acceptable and welcomed. This was repeated for each submission.

The key to successful CPD, and something the committee place great importance on, is for members to reflect on their CPD activity. Completed submissions must show how learning outcomes are applied to the day to day work; members who submitted exemplar CPD forms had clearly demonstrated this approach in their submitted form. These members had asked themselves questions such as ‘following the course, I can now…’ or ‘what I learnt most about was…’ or ‘the presentation at the conference I found most valuable was..’; asking these types of questions then gave members a platform to reflect on what they learnt, how this had a positive impact on their professional work, and how it progressed their year priorities.

Taking time to consider the impact of the CPD activity is also beneficial for determining how many hours to assign to each activity. It was noted that some members gave little evidence to justify the number of hours claimed as CPD, and in some cases overstated their CPD. For example, a five -event does not necessarily equate to five hours CPD. How did the event impact on how the member practised? Was further research undertaken following the event?

Finally the committee considered whether each submission met the stated annual priorities. It also looked at how submissions identified the main priories for the next year. This is just as important, as it gives each member time to reflect on their learning and how they can develop over the next year.

Following this years’ monitoring process, the LI is also also looking to create a set of resources to support members in the CPD process so keep a look out for when these are announced.

You can find more information about CPD on the CPD page in the members’ area.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the LI’s education development officer Poppy Smith on cpd@landscapeinstitute.org or by calling 020 7685 2656.

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