The below outlines the different methods of CPD learning.
Training Course
A training course is the most well-known method of learning, and can vary in length from one day up to several days or over several weeks. Training courses will often be specific to one subject or offer skills in a particular area of industry. They can also sometimes encompass other forms of learning such as lectures, seminars and workshops. Training courses can be delivered either in-person such as classroom style, or online, or even possibly a hybrid of both.
Seminar
A seminar is a type of short course and typically only a few hours long up to one day. Seminars provide an opportunity to focus on a particular subject matter in detail. They are usually conducted in a group setting with no more than 20 participants. Seminars will typically include group work, activities and interactive discussion, in order to allow individuals to contribute which can lead to better retention of knowledge. Seminars can also be a chance for individuals to network with others from different areas of their own industry or other sectors.
Workshop
A workshop is an interactive educational group session typically involving between 1 to 3 days of learning. Workshops and seminars are similar, but there are a few key differences. Workshops are less theoretical and tend to offer a more hands-on, practical skills approach to learning which may include practical exercises, breakout sessions and role plays. Workshop groups are usually smaller than seminars. As workshops are primarily activity and exercise based, it gives the group a chance to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical context and offers a hands-on approach to enhancing skills and knowledge.
Webinar
Webinars are an online learning activity held virtually and attended by an online audience. Often, the main objective of a webinar is to educate and inform professionals in a short and concise manner about new and relevant information. In a good learning webinar, attendees should be able to interact and participate within the event. The interactive opportunities can include asking questions to the hosts, answering polls or surveys, and sharing documents with attendees. Webinars are useful in that they do not require attendance at an in-person event and therefore provide opportunity for wider, often international, participation. Webinars can also be viewed and revisited at any time, allowing individuals to review and recap their learning.
Events
There are a number of different forms of learning that can be considered CPD events. For instance, there could be a live speaker session, usually delivered in the format of a guest speaker presentation or a panel discussion. Another form of CPD event could be a conference, which is usually held at a venue such as a hotel, beginning with a keynote session and then offering breakout sessions by topic. Seminars and workshops may also feature as part of wider CPD events.
Another example is that organisations may choose to host or sponsor a particular industry trade show which are usually held in large spaces, with hundreds of products and services being showcased, and in doing so may add an educational CPD learning opportunity within the trade show itself.
Training Video
A training video is video-based content that explains and explores a subject or shows how something can be done. Training videos offer an interesting visual way of bringing together ideas and content which can often increase an individual’s engagement and learning retention. Training videos can be used as part of either in-person learning, distance or online learning. Video can be an efficient method of combining both theoretical and practical elements of a subject that may take longer to explain through a lecture or reading. In online use, video also has the advantage of allowing a learner to go back and review content.
Literature
Literature is often a component included in other methods of CPD, typically in the form of case studies, exercise handouts or course materials. Depending on the depth of subject and structure, literature can be considered a part of reflective and informal CPD, when considered in the form of reading relevant publications, articles and books by leading industry experts.
Online Course
With the growth in digital technology and remote working, online courses are an increasingly popular method of learning. Online courses can offer convenience and affordability, in that there is no need to attend an in-person event and course materials can be shared free online. Online courses offer flexibility for individuals to participate at a suitable time and schedule around other work and family commitments. In some cases, online courses can be spread over a period of time rather than requiring participation on a given day.
From a training provider perspective, online courses enable organisations to maximise the value of their content and deliver learning to a possible international audience with relatively lower costs of operation. Online training providers can streamline their content and do not need to be dependent on hiring facilities to provide training on a regular basis, helping to reduce costs for both the organisation and their learners.