Research and development topics for the module:

- vocational teacher development programme and competence criteria
- personal development plan (PDP)
- peer group activity plan
- developing teacher identity
- online tutoring and social media as forms of tutoring for individuals and groups.

Work methods:

PDP:
The PDP is a way to examine your pedagogical competence and development needs as a vocational teacher. You will have your first PDP session with your tutor in the early stage of the programme to draw up the plan, which includes your personal development plan (PDP). Draft the first version as agreed with your tutor.

Describe in you PDP:
- Your background and why you applied for vocational teacher training
- How do you see people and their opportunities?
- What does the word "involvement" mean to you?
- What is your current pedagogical competence based on the competence criteria for vocational teachers?
- What does "student-orientated" mean to you?
- What are the pedagogical and vocational development needs of your work community?
- What are your development goals in relation to professional development and pedagogical competence?
- What kind of practical theories guide your teaching and tutoring work (see 1.1)?
- How do you demonstrate your pedagogic competence and self-evaluation skills?
- What kind of content and activities would support your development during studies?
- What kinds of development tasks do you want to include in your studies; how will you implement and
timetable them in practice?
- How will you execute your digital competence portfolio?

In the PDP, you are free to use different types of content, including text, images, audio and video clips. The PDP will be supplemented during the studies. It provides the basis for your personal reflection, the development of your teacher identity and your competence assessment.

The second PDP session will be held at the halfway point of your studies and is used to examine the status of your studies and to further define your PDP. In addition, you should discuss your PDP with your peer group and, when possible, at your workplace. In the final PDP session towards the end of the programme, you will present your digital competence portfolio. During your studies, you can have more PDP sessions. Be active and request tutoring when you need it.

PEER ACTIVITY:

Peer groups are formed in the early stage of the studies. The groups support the planning, implementation and assessment of learning. In the peer groups, you will observe and assess one another's work and the group's internal activities, find ideas for new ways of operating and organise visits. The peer group draws up an action plan including a schedule, description of work content and an agreement on peer learning and support. The groups will also work in digital environments.