Continuing Professional Development in the Lifelong Learning Sector

This comprehensive guide to continuing professional development (CPD) in the lifelong learning sector (LLS) provides teachers with practical support and guidance alongside development activities. It encourages teachers to reflect on their practice and subsequently shape and develop their teaching in response to the needs of their learners, their institution and local and national priorities.

The book emphasises the importance of teachers as professional individuals who are responsible for their own CPD. It also helps senior managers to create a positive environment and 'learning organisation' in which teaching and learning can flourish.

The book sets the context for CPD and:

• Offers an understanding of the CPD process and the need for undertaking reflective practice
• Meets the needs of new teachers, trainers and tutors in the sector
• Considers CPD for teaching and learning and subject-specific CPD
• Provides an introduction to action research and case studies of research into teaching and learning in the sector

Accessible to anyone who is working, or training to work, in the LLS, this book will provide practical suggestions, ideas and activities to stimulate activities and research.

Peter Scales is Senior Teaching Fellow in the Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences. He is a member of the Lifelong Learning Initial Teacher Training team and also of the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education for lecturing staff at the University of Derby. He is the author of Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (Open University Press, 2008).

Jo Pickering is Head of Subject for Education Studies with responsibility for Lifelong Learning, Early Years and Education Studies programmes.

Lynn Senior is Assistant Subject Head responsible for Lifelong Learning Initial Teacher Training. She is also the programme leader for Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education.

Kath Headley is programme leader for the full-time Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector.

Patsy Garner coordinates the FE college partnerships for the Certificate and Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector.

Helen Boulton is programme leader for the part-time Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector.

All of the authors are at the University of Derby, UK.