Online continuing professional development: Key factors for successful engagement.

Abstract

In recent years social work has witnessed an increased focus on continuing professional development (CPD) for practitioners. In addition to face-to-face (F2F) formats, this focus has included collegial engagement in online, synchronous platforms such as videoconferencing, instant messaging, chat rooms, and webinars, and in asynchronous, virtual platforms such as e-mail, discussion boards, and blogs. Such environments require consideration of how learning styles influence practitioners’ adaptation to e-platforms for CPD. This conceptual paper critically examines the confluence of the experiential learning model, Gardner’s multiple intelligences, Schön’s critical reflection and current thinking about social work CPD in the online environment. The author suggests that these diverse elements are optimally located in asynchronous e-platforms, but that synchronous environments offer valuable relationship-building which may be scaffolded into asynchronous contexts. Key factors for successful engagement are identified and discussed.