PD: The What, When, Why, and How
Planning for and actively developing our professional skills and competencies is foundational to librarianship. Quarterly, I take stock of where I lack a skill and identify what strengths could be enhanced or refreshed.
As I reflect for action, there are many questions I consider, for example:
- In what activities can I participate on a daily basis that will help build competencies – technical, interpersonal or relational, leadership, instructional, etc.?
- What level of commitment can I make to PD activities? Time allotment? Energy levels?
- Other than institutional PD allowances, where else might there be funding available?
- What on-campus events are available throughout the year?
- Will this be the year to attend conferences?
- Is a project or research initiative ready for delivering at a conference or presenting online through a webinar?
- What online courses are available?
- How do these courses align with professional goals or institutional direction?
- What certifications or diplomas are appropriate and relevant in the context of my work duties and responsibilities?
- What vendors offer webinars?
- What courses and workshops are available through professional associations?
Year over year, I add to the list of possible association and MOOC offerings, conferences, webinars, and workshops in which I have participated or in which I am interested.
Literature Searches
When I have access to licensed databases, I search for literature on such topics as:
- integrating IL in first-year college or university courses
- trends and current practices into collection assessment and weeding
- library leadership
- instructional strategies and techniques using the ACRL Framework
Associations
Most professional associations offer professional development courses and conferences:
- RUSA (Write, Speak, Design: Communication Skills for Library Professionals)
- ACRL (Online Learning)
- IFLA (Online Learning Platform)
MOOCs
There are many mass open online course opportunities. Of the many I have taken, these two offer a wide variety of courses from broad topic areas:
- edX (Reconciliation through Indigenous Education from UBCx) and (Library Advocacy Unshushed from University of Torontox)
- Coursera (Literacy Teaching and Learning: Aims, Approaches and Pedagogies )
Lynda.com
Having access to the Lynda.com suite of self-paced, online courses is a boon! If you do, get an account and start on an amazing self-directed learning adventure. The following are some of the courses I completed this past year:
- Instructional Design Essentials: Adult Learners
- Write Effective Learning Objectives
- OneNote 2013 Essential Training
- Screencasting Fundamentals
- Managing Your Manager
- Lean Six Sigma Fundamentals
- Teaching Future-Ready Students
- Writing Research Papers
- Having Difficult Conversations
- Communicating across Cultures
- Foundations of Online Instruction
- Leadership tutorial: Working with difficult bosses
- Conflict Resolution Fundamentals
Several of Lynda.com videos are available on YouTube
Library Juice Academy
This online site offers professional librarians workshops focusing on developing new skills and competencies. I am working toward completing a Certificate in Library Instruction. I have completed one course and am currently enrolled in the second with the intention of taking one course per month for eight months.
Provincial Post-secondary Instructor Diploma
Most colleges and universities in Canada require faculty who are instructing courses to complete a provincial instructor diploma or certification, for example:
- BC Provincial Instructor Diploma
- Ontario, Certificate in Adult Education
- Newfoundland, Post-Secondary Instructor Certification
Research possible opportunities, be creative, think beyond the traditional, and explore your potential.
Go ahead.
Get some PD.
