Working in an international school, you can at times feel cut off from some of the professional development opportunities that exist.

Don’t get me wrong - there have been some wonderful educationalists, experts and speakers who have visited Dubai for conferences and training - but their trips are often fleeting and, sadly, few and far between.

And now, as I wave goodbye to my summer travel plans and replenish the household supply of face masks, it’s difficult to imagine a time when events and conferences like this will happen again.

But perhaps in this regard, a new, better way is being shown. Online CPD training.

A growth area

Certainly, our teachers have continued to develop personally and professionally over the past 16 weeks and, in most cases, have accessed new learning material at a greater rate than ever.

Through webinars and online conferences, our total reach has been more than 3,000 people on four continents.

And even more importantly, we could listen to their ideas too, learning and growing our own school community as a result.

This is a huge benefit. But like any benefit, it needs to be maintained to have long-term rewards.

Working out together

As a PE teacher by trade, I use exercise for many of my analogies and CPD is no exception. I think of it like a gym.

A poor one has limited equipment; everyone receives the same programme and the instructors spend little time engaging with the members. The instructor dictates the goals in a one-way process and inevitably, the membership suffers.

A good gym feels totally different. There is variety in approach and creativity in design, but still a clear vision and a unified purpose.

There will always be instructors and senior leaders who set development programmes, but there is consultation, and goals are mutually agreed.

They understand you cannot train for an Ironman and a powerlifting competition simultaneously, so they carefully and strategically prioritise and periodise.  

So, some people are on the treadmill; others, the bike. Some are in group classes working together and others are going it alone. Talents are built, ideas encouraged and success celebrated.

Long-term benefits

Of course, though, the worst thing would be if, as one, everyone just stopped, walked away and went to the old, unproductive ways of doing things. All the gains would be lost.

However, as I look forward, I see no reason why some of the adjustments to the CPD programme that have been made cannot become permanent adaptations.

Here are some of the things I hope to champion to sustain the positive momentum of this teacher-led approach.

1. Global conversations

Through a shared passion for professional learning, we made some wonderful contacts with schools around the world.

The learning and idea exchange from bringing a diverse group of teachers together with time to ask, ‘At your school, how do you do X?’ has driven so much good learning.

It also served as a timely reminder that we spend too much time solving the same problems in silos.

The more we reached out with our own ideas, the more we received in kind.

These networks must be nurtured and maintained.

2. Teacher autonomy

We asked teachers to log their CPD during lockdown, and when I look at the records, there is an invigorating amount of variety.

There are school themes that run through, but autonomy to pursue personal development and individual subject knowledge consistently score among the highest in our teachers’ perceived effectiveness judgements.

Maintaining this freedom is a must.

3. Online is fine

As a teacher with a working partner and children, I will echo the feelings of many when I say that it is a challenge to spread my time effectively.

I love learning, there are just times when at the weekend or in the evening, it isn’t possible to leave the apartment.

If I find it hard, it must be even harder for single parents.

However, the wealth of resources and sessions online recently has been incredible. I feel like I have learned more than ever, because I can be at home while learning about things that excite me.

There will always be individual preferences, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the online sessions I attended and as a speaker, I much preferred addressing 300 people from behind the safety of my screen.

As such, we must ensure we respect everyone’s right to engage in CPD in the manner that suits them best.

Niall Statham is head of physical education and a member of the SLT at Hartland International School in Dubai