Professional Development

1. Professional Development A CS Degree Outcome

2. Program Outcome Recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, continuing professional development ABET accreditation includes required student outcomes: “Criterion: The program has documented, measurable program educational objectives that are based on the needs of the program’s constituencies.”

3. Who Needs Professional Development? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_development – 4/27/2010) “A wide variety of people, such as teachers, military officers and non-commissioned officers, health care professionals, lawyers, accountants and engineers engage in professional development. … Many American states have professional development requirements for school teachers. American and Canadian nurses, as well as those in the United Kingdom, are required to participate in formal and informal professional development … in order to maintain professional registration Other groups such as engineering and geoscience regulatory bodies also have mandatory professional development requirements.”

4. Why Do People Pursue Professional Development? “Individuals may participate in professional development because of • an interest in lifelong learning, • a sense of moral obligation, • to maintain and improve professional competence, • enhance career progression, • keep abreast of new technology and practice, or • to comply with professional regulatory organizations.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_development 4/27/2010

5. What Is Professional Development? “In a broad sense, professional development may include formal types of vocational education, typically post-secondary or poly-technical training leading to qualification or credential[s] required to obtain or retain employment. Professional development may also come in the form of pre-service or in-service professional development programs. These programs may be formal, or informal, group or individualized. Individuals may pursue professional development independently, or programs may be offered by human resource departments” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_development 4/27/2010

6. What Is Professional Development? “Professional development is the skills and knowledge an employee gains to optimize her personal development and job growth. It includes learning opportunities, such as college degrees and coursework, or attending conferences or training sessions. Professional development is an extensive and collaborative process; upon completion, an evaluation of progress is usually performed” http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-professional-development.htm 4/27/2010

7. What is continuous professional development? Continuous professional development (CPD) can be defined as the systematic maintenance and broadening of the knowledge, skills and personal qualities needed in working life. CPD can help you: • maintain and enhance your competence in your job • stay competitive in the employment market • demonstrate your commitment to future employers • avoid stagnation and manage change • by bringing a new and exciting intellectual challengehttp://www.iop.org/activity/cpd/Professionals_wishing_to_undertake_CPD/page_3979.html 4/27/2010

8. Discussion • Why is professional development important for computer science? • What kinds of PD activities are common for computer scientists? • Have you ever participated in any organized PD activity? • How does a course in programming languages illustrate the need for continuous professional development?

9. Any Other Ideas? ???

10. Questions that could very well show up on the final • Define professional development • Do you think PD is necessary? • List some benefits of professional development • What types of PD activities do you think will be important in your career?