Module D/6 – Portfolio Entry – Professional Development

Showcase your commitment to reflective practice and continuous improvement, underpinned by an active engagement with research and the application of evidence-based strategies to enhance educational outcomes.

Professional Development

Remember portfolio entries are like coursework – it just isn’t graded.  They focus on specific KSBs and are used by the end-point assessor to generate a conversation during your final assessment.

You MUST cover the stated KSBs thoroughly.  This is your chance to showcase.

Portfolio entries cannot be ‘reflective journals’.  Instead they need to be about your work and are a collection of evidence items that illustrate the KSBs.

 

KSBs

  • B4: Reflective Practice

  • B5: Engagement with Research

 

The Portfolio Entry for Professional Development encapsulates a multi-faceted approach to continuous learning and improvement within the educational landscape. Central to this portfolio is the cultivation of reflective practice (B4), a process through which you critically evaluate your interactions, methodologies, and overall performance. This introspective journey is enriched by the integration of feedback mechanisms, wherein constructive criticism from peers, mentors, and supervisors serves as a catalyst for professional growth and refinement.

Complementing this reflective odyssey is an active engagement with research (B5), a practice that underscores the importance of grounding teaching methodologies in evidence-based strategies. Through the deliberate consumption of educational literature, participation in professional development courses, and attendance at relevant workshops or conferences, you fortify your instructional repertoire with the latest pedagogical insights.

This portfolio entry demands not only an inward reflection on personal practice and responsiveness to feedback but also an outward orientation towards the adoption of research-informed strategies. The implementation of these strategies (B4, B5) is pivotal in enhancing the delivery of support to learners, ensuring that you remain at the forefront of educational innovation and effectiveness.

In essence, this Professional Development Portfolio Entry fosters a culture of continuous learning and adaptation. This portfolio embodies a commitment to professional excellence, underscoring the role of teaching assistants as lifelong learners and innovators in education.

Suggestions

Professional Development Log: A detailed record of professional development activities, including dates, titles of workshops, courses, or conferences attended, and key takeaways from each. This log should also note any educational literature or research articles read, emphasising how these resources have influenced or could influence your teaching strategies.

Application of Research: A narrative or journal entry reflecting on how engagement with research has impacted your practice. This could include specific changes made to your support approach based on research findings, new strategies implemented in the classroom, or plans to integrate new learning into future work. Ensure this section ties back to the professional development log, linking theory to practice.

Peer Observation Reflections: Summaries of peer observations focusing on communication strategies and consultation with teachers, detailing the feedback received and how it was or will be implemented to improve practice. This section could highlight areas of strength and areas for development identified through observations.

Feedback Implementation Plan: A structured plan outlining how feedback received from peers, mentors, or supervisors will be addressed. This plan should include specific goals, actions to meet those goals, timelines, and indicators of success. It demonstrates a proactive approach to continuous improvement based on constructive feedback.

Case Study of Strategy Implementation: A case study detailing a situation where you applied a new strategy or approach learned through professional development activities. This should include the context, the strategy used, the rationale behind its selection, its implementation, and an evaluation of its impact on learners. The case study should demonstrate critical thinking and the ability to link theory with practice.

Policy and Practice Review: A critical review of school or organizational policies related to professional development, teaching strategies, and learner support. This review should assess how well current policies support effective teaching and learning, identify gaps or areas for improvement, and suggest practical recommendations for policy enhancement.

Future Development Goals: A reflective piece outlining future professional development goals, including specific areas of teaching or learner support you aim to explore further. This should also discuss how you plan to achieve these goals, such as attending specific courses, participating in school-based research projects, or undertaking additional responsibilities to gain experience in areas of interest.