CPDAnswers

CPDMeet is the name the CPD Team uses for live CPD sessions on Glow. Generally they use Glow’s web conferencing technology, Glowmeet.

Each CPDMeet has its own CPDMeet page on Glow where would-be participants can see details, sign-up and interact before, during and after the CPDMeet.

Typically, each CPDMeet will be promoted in a variety of ways including CPDFind. CPDFind is the national database of CPD run by LTScotland and the National CPD Team.

Subject to permissions from the CPDMeet participants, the events are recorded and made available as an archive for follow-up work.

You can see forthcoming CPDMeets in the Online CPD library on CPDCentral

Help! I’m a CPDMeet feartie!

In January, we opened a professional community for supply and temporary teachers on Glow called CPDStepIn (see the CPD Team blog post – CPDStepIn- Start here)

We would now be delighted if others could join us in supporting colleagues who may have difficulty accessing CPD and PRD by the more traditional routes. We are looking for colleagues who can:

• share a CPD resource or a weblink
• host a discussion
• run a CPDMeet (a CPD session by Glowmeet)
• answer questions and give advice
• mentor CPDStepIn colleagues online through some of their PRD and CPD challenges

If you are interested, please contact Susan on stepin@ltscotland.org.uk. There are a couple of rules for joining the group that I hope you will respect:

• you must bring one of the above with you
• be prepared to introduce yourself to the rest of the group

Many thanks!

Yes, there is an online community called CPDStepin. It’s on Glow and it currently includes the following features:

• a discussion area with chat, forum and web meeting tools
• a place to share resources and links
• advice on PRD and examples of free, online CPD on Glow and beyond
• a place to express views
• an opportunity to connect with mentors
• links to lots of free, online CPD

It also has a feed of educational posts from MyJobsScotland.com.

How do I join CPDStepin?

• If you have a Glow username , express an interest in joining CPDStepin here. 
• If you don’t have a Glow username, see this CPDAnswers post for how you can get one.

You will find details of all the CPDChallenges on CPDFind. Just type cpdchallenge into the CPDFind search box. They are also listed in the CPDChallenges section of CPDCentral community area.

Visit the CPDChallenge area on CPDCentral …

When completing a CPDChallenge (see What is CPDChallenge? for more details), you are asked to quickly record what difference this will make to your practice as an educator. Usually, this means how will it help students learn?

There are 2 reasons for this:

1. to help spread ideas about how innovative CPD can be used to support learning
2. the CPDChallenge Glow Group is open to all staff. If we all make a contribution then we can identify who is interested in this area and start to make collegiate links across establishments

Visit the CPDChallenge Glow group …

In June 2009, Con Morris of the National CPD Team organised an event for colleagues at Learning and Teaching Scotland challenging them to use online technology in their CPD practice. Examples include:

• using Twitter to build a personal learning network
• taking part in a Glowmeet
• using CPDFind

Since then, there have been a number of events which have used the same format and drawn on the resources.

The format of a CPDChallenge event is:

• get together a bunch of colleagues
• introduce a variety of challenges (each in less than 5 minutes)
• allow a free choice and encourage collaboration
• share practice at the end
• ensure likely impact on practice is recorded and followed up.

You can find a set of CPDChallenges on the Online CPD library on CPDCentral. This approach is supported by the CPDChallenge area on CPDCentral where you will get information on all the challenges and a section for CPD leaders who want to lead a CPDChallenge event.

Visit the CPDChallenge area on CPDCentral …

CPDShorts are think-pieces hosted on Glow (see What are CPDShorts? for more details)

You can get a list of them by searching for cpdshort on CPDFind.

Here is a list of the most recent CPDShorts here.

Visit the CPDShort page on CPDCentral…

If you can improve on this advice, please leave a comment, thanks!

CPDFind is a national database of CPD opportunities which was developed as part of the collaboration between the National CPD Team and LTScotland. The opportunities come from a wide range of providers including Education Scotland, SQA, private providers and universities. In addition, we are seeing some local authorities (eg Aberdeen City) using CPDFind to advertise their local CPD to a wider audience.

There are many different types of CPD featured (courses, online , professional reading and much more). Many of the opportunities are free to educators in Scotland.

You might be interested in CPDFind for a number of reasons:

• your own professional development (just type a keyword into the CPDFind search box)
• to support your colleagues in their professional development
• to promote CPD that you deliver or enable.

All the providers on the system have gone through a registration process. If you are interested, contact cpdregister@educationscotland.gov.uk

There is also an endorsement feature for Glow users of CPDFind.

CPDShorts are thought-pieces on Glow with accompanying discussion points and activities. In a CPDShort opportunity, you can:

• study and reflect on a think-piece (usually a video clip, an audio clip or a short document)
• record your thoughts on the matter
• discuss or raise key questions
• find like-minded colleagues who have taken part in the same CPDShort as you.

You can find a few examples of CPDShorts on in CPDFind (just enter cpdshort in the search box). You will also find details on how to take part in the CPDShort. You will find a complete set of CPDShorts on the Online CPD Library on CPDCentral (needs Glow username)

If you have a think-piece that you would like to see become a CPDShort, contact cpdanswers@ltscotland.org.uk and we’ll help you to build it and get it into CPDFind.

Visit the CPDShort page on CPDCentral…

If you can improve on this advice, please leave a comment, thanks! 

There are 3 options for membership when you select a link to join a Glow group

1. The Glow group is open to all. In this case, you will go straight to the Noticeboard of the group and you need do no more!

2. The Glow group is closed. You will get the following message

Access denied. You do not have permission to perform this action or access this resource.  

Access requests are not enabled.

A bit daunting but it may just mean that the group is under development and sometimes it is worth trying later!

3. The Glow group is available on request. You will see a screen like this:

Don’t worry, it’s not really an error. Fill in the highlighted box with some of your details and the reason for wanting to join the group and select the Send Request button. It’s always a good idea to include an email address.

The administrator of the group will get an email and can consider your request. You may get a confirmation email back but try the group link again a day or two later if you don’t!