Continuous Professional Development

Overview

The Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland (IAI) recognises and encourages the need for all members of the archaeological profession, throughout their career, to expand their knowledge base and familiarise themselves with relevant technological innovations and their application to the study and practice of Irish archaeology. The importance of accredited continuous professional development (CPD) is acknowledged by the IAI in both its Memorandum & Articles of Association (Articles 104 & 105) and the Five-year programme (2003-2008) in which the Institute shall seek the involvement of all stakeholders in the creation of a programme of CPD development in Irish archaeology (Objective 3.4).

What is Continuous Professional Development?

Professions have taken different approaches to continuous education and training in order to tailor their CPD programme of training to their individual profession and the quality management of professional practice. There are four main ways of achieving learning in a CPD framework. These are:

1. Structured activities
2. Skills training
3. Key (accreditable) competencies
4. Observable learning outcomes

Each of these components were kept firmly at the foundations of the IAI CPD Framework.

The IAI approach to CPD

The Institute’s approach to CPD is open, inclusive, flexible and accessible. The Institute is developing a strategic approach to CPD that will ensure high and sustainable competence standards for the archaeological profession.

CPD is the responsibility of the individual archaeologist. The Institute encourages all its members to participate in their individual CPD and record their involvement. At present each member’s participation in CPD is voluntary, however participation in CPD will become mandatory by 2012.

Each member’s participation in their CPD entitles them to receive credit for their learning. The IAI accredits all recognised CPD activites as outlined in Table 1.

The IAI promotes the widespread and effective practice of CPD within the archaeological profession, by working in partnership with employers, academic institutions, Government agencies and other relevant bodies.

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The IAI CPD Framework – supporting lifelong learning

The IAI CPD framework consists of three pillars, namely

1. Thematic modules/ seminars and workshops
2. Professional activities (Table 1)
3. Accreditation and assessment

1    Thematic modules/seminars and workshops

The thematic modules consist of a variety of courses designed to increase the required skills that the archaeologist needs to carry out specific pieces of work or research to a required professional standard (competency) and to add to the existing skills base that the archaeologist possesses prior to attending the course. The thematic courses are an integral part of a personal continuous development/ educational process that recognises the principles of lifelong learning.

The thematic modules will include collaborative CPD events with other professional institutes/ organisations. The duration of the courses will vary between half day and full day events to weekend courses.

2    Professional activities

Lifelong learning does not only take place within the confines of the lecture theatre or seminar room. There are other professional development and learning activities that form an important part of any CPD framework. The main activities include:

1. Archaeological research
2. Publication (at a recognised level)
3. Involvement with professional institutes (i.e. committee work)
4. Direct involvement with the IAI CPD framework (i.e. acting as a course trainer or assessor)
5. Structured reading and learning activities
6. Participation in IAI organised field trips
7. Attendance and direct involvement in recognised national and international conferences that deal with archaeological issues or issues relevant to archaeological concerns

3    Accreditation and Assessment

Accreditation under the IAI framework consists of

1. Internal IAI accreditation
2. External accreditation

The internal IAI accreditation is under the direct control and governance of the IAI membership through the activities of the Board. The IAI credit system mimics the workings of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) in so far as it uses a similar number of hours spent on acceptable CPD activities as the ECTS accepts as the basis for a taught module (i.e. 25 hours).

The IAI is working towards the development of CPD courses for the professional archaeologist that are accredited as part of the National Framework of Qualifications.

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The IAI credit system

Overview

The IAI has adopted a credit system which is similar to that used by a university/ institute of technology. A 5-credit university/institute of technology module (involving 25 hours contact time and additional self-directed learning) might carry 25 credit units/points. This will also be the recommended number of units to be accumulated in a year. Smaller ‘pieces’ of learning will carry proportional unit values, as determined by the IAI based on submissions from course providers. All CPD activities will be advertised on the Institutes website with the allocated credit units in advance of the course commencement.

The allocation of IAI credit points is purely an administrative recoding system. Participating members should not view CPD as merely gaining the required credit points, but rather see the CPD programme as a means of developing their private archaeological skills and competencies and thereby improve his/her standards of professional practice.

How many credits do I need ?

Each member is required to accumulate a minimum of fifty credits over a two year period, or an average of twenty five credits per year. The two year averaging period allows that any shortfall can be compensated for in the succeeding year.

Approved CPD activities and their related credit values

This list of approved CPD activities and related credit values may be expanded from time to time at the discretion of the Board. The Board shall assign credit values for specific CPD activities as such activities are brought to the attention of the Board. There are courses available concerning both the technical archaeological skills and generic professional skills which form part of an archaeologists continuing professional development. The Board can only assign a credit value based upon an assessment of the syllabus and course provision.

Maintaining records

It is the responsibility of the individual IAI member to maintain a verifiable record of CPD activities. Members will be responsible for making a return to the IAI office of the events they have attended during the two year period, so that they can be duly credited. Attendance lists will be circulated at all appropriate accredited events organised by the IAI. The attendance list should be signed by attendees. These lists will be forwarded to the IAI office for processing and your credits shall be entered onto a central database. The attendee’s signature on the attendance list ensures their attendance is recorded.

Upon completion of the CPD courses, each participant will receive a certificate verifying their attendance, duration of the course, location of the course and credits associated with the course. Each certificate bears an individual identifier code which can be forwarded to the Institute and recorded on a central database.

In the case of events that are external to the IAI CPD programme, such as events that individual archaeologists attend of their own interest, a copy of the syllabus outlining the objective and learning outcomes of the course should be forwarded to the IAI office with evidence of attendance (e.g. receipt, or IAI downloaded form for completion by coarse organiser with his/her relevant contact details). In such cases the IAI can assess the course and assign an appropriate credit points rating, if appropriate.

Members are encouraged to track their CPD credits personally and can download a blank credit record sheet here.

IAI members have the right to access their personal CPD credit records at the IAI office, prior to arranging an appointment with the administrative staff. In the future it is intended that the website shall be used to facilitate the members in recording and accessing their personal credit records.

The Institute seeks comments and suggestions from members on the CPD programme as these are   deemed instrumental regarding the constant improvement of CPD in Irish archaeology.

An updated list of approved CPD activities and their related credit values will be maintained on the Institutes website for the benefit of the members.

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Course Calendars

Download the course calendar for the current year:

The course calendar for 2011 has now been finalised and can be downloaded here.

Course calendars from previous years:

CPD Course Calendar 2010

CPD Course Calendar 2009

CPD Course Calendar 2006

Opportunities for course providers

As part of the CPD programme the IAI shall seek to identify suitable course trainers. Course trainers shall include members and corporate members of the IAI, recognised higher education institutes, specialist industry/ business training bodies, other professional bodies and relevant state agencies, public authorities and non-governmental organisations. The IAI is committed to the constant expansion of its links with potential course trainers from across the archaeological profession.