What is C.P.D?
“Continuing Professional Development (CPD) refers to the life-long teacher learning and compromises the full range of educational experiences designed to enrich teachers’ professional knowledge, understanding and capabilities throughout their careers” (The Teaching Council, 2011). CPD is basically a structure for the development of one’s professional portfolio on an ongoing basis. Development is defined as “the act or process of growing, progressing or developing” (Collins, 2014). CPD is a means of ensuring that trained professionals are as up to date in their specific professional field as they can be. Extract from Thesis.
CPD and its accreditation in the educational sector in Ireland is not fully defined as of yet. The main governing bodies for CPD are the Teaching Council of Ireland, who issued the 'Policy on the Continuum of Teacher Education', and the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) who provide support for teachers wishing to take part in Professional Development.
With regard to the technical subjects, attending training days offered by the likes of The Techno Teachers association or t4 technically is CPD but no structures have been put in place to certify that as actual CPD training.