IPDA Ireland Inaugural Conference a sucess

Professional development in the digital age was the theme of the inaugural conference of the Ireland branch of the International Professional Development Association which took place on Saturday 26th April in the College and attended by over 50 delegates from various first, second and third level institutions in Ireland, North and South, as well as from various universities in the UK.

Helen Mitchell of the University of East London and current chair of IPDA (UK) provided the opening address, contextualising professional learning within IPDA and providing a comprehensive review of its evolution and continuing growth.

The keynote presentation from Professor Bertram (Chip) Bruce of the University of Illinois continued on the theme of connecting learning with life. His talk related studies of teachers, librarians, and other educators and how they learn to cope with, even embrace, the new technologies that reshape their work, roles, and relations with learners. Drawing from John Dewey’s view of education as life, he suggested practical ways for both individuals and teacher educators to foster organic learning.

Continuing the theme of professional learning in the digital age, and using the lens of an historical geographer, Anthony Russell posited that schools across Europe are under pressure to absorb serial change. This has usually meant using the ‘deficit’ model for reform, telling schools and teachers what they need to do - at best stretching the mould. He argued that the ‘deficit model’ worked when schools were stable predictable places - and CPD was equally predictable. In a scintillating multi-media presentation drawing from both the metaphor of historical geography through live feeds on YouTube, Russell charted the inadequacy of the traditional model of CPD and highlighted the emerging cracks in the mould of professional learning.

John Smith, of the education department in the College, examined the notion of synchronous online learning and presented a case study using Wimba Classroom in a teacher professional development setting.

A special feature of this conference was the inclusion of practitioners in various sectors who have recently completed, or are currently completing, award-bearing courses at diploma, masters or doctoral level. The presentations by these novice researchers brought a unique quality to the conference, as well as an immediacy and authenticity to the conference theme.

Finally, the closing presentation by Dr Anne Rath of UCC mapped some of the discourses that have shaped the discourse of reflective practice and the many meanings that it can hold. She presented a view of reflective engagement as an integral part of teaching practice and provided a thought-provoking conclusion to the conference.

Earlier in the day in welcoming delegates, Dr Pauric Travers, president of the College, acknowledged the efforts required in establishing a committee from across borders and sectors and he congratulated the group in bringing their collaborative ideas to fruition.

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: Tuesday April 29 2008