At a glance
Professional development is a means of strengthening how staff obtain, retain, and apply knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
Understanding professional development
Professional development (PD) is an excellent way to teach specific learning objectives to a certain group. Providers of PD events need consistent definitions to provide and promote a PD event. And potential learners need to understand the knowledge and skill offered, so they can choose the correct type of PD.
It is critical to understand that workshops and trainings are not the same thing. The former can produce long-term benefits, while the latter may simply increase awareness.
There are six CDC PD Practices: Sustain, Design, Promote, Deliver, Follow-Up, and Evaluate. When developing and delivering PD events—such as events, information sessions, and technical assistance—integrate all six of these practices. PD designed to actively engage learners should address planning as well as the six CDC PD Practices.
Types of professional development events
Training. A type of instruction offered primarily by employers for employees. Trainings are designed to develop new skills and knowledge to be applied immediately upon arrival or return to the job.
Workshop. An educational program for a small group of people. A workshop focuses on techniques and skills in a particular field and has long-term benefits.
Trainings and workshops are 3 or more hours long and have highly effective transfer skills.
Technical Assistance. Tailored guidance to meet the specific needs of staff at one or more sites. A specialist provides technical assistance through web-based or in-person meetings or by phone, mail, or email. A type of collaborative communication, technical assistance takes into account site-specific circumstances and culture.
Presentations. Speeches or visual displays tailored to specific audiences such as school administrators, faculty, education and health professionals, adolescents, parents, college students, legislators, or community groups.
Information Session. A presentation or other type of instruction focused on a specific topic and delivered in a short period of time.
Information sessions and presentations are delivered in a short period of time (30 minutes to 3 hours) and focus on a specific program topic.