Professional Practice (PIDP 3260)

The Professional Practice course introduces participants to the issues, themes and concepts of effective instruction, instructor competencies, informal and formal assessment and evaluation of instruction, as well as ethics, professionalism and career management. A central focus of the course is the use of feedback mechanisms to guide instruction and to improve one’s professional practice. Participants are also introduced to the purposes and methods of course evaluation. They will define their vision of effective instruction and design feedback instruments that assess their instructional competencies. Participants will analyze dilemmas and suggest resolutions to the problems that confront many adult educators. Using ethical principles and codes of conduct as reference points, they will strengthen and articulate their understanding of professionalism, which highlights the importance of ethical and professional behavior in their practice. The course also highlights the importance of developing a career management strategy which includes a professional development plan.