Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

CPD News
As you will be aware, the RAD's Continuing Professional Development scheme is currently being piloted. We are committed to ensuring that it meets the needs of our members and that, once launched, it secures the RAD's reputation as the leading international dance education and training organisation. Whilst our goal to deliver an exemplary scheme of Continuing Professional Development for our dance teachers has not changed, as a result of consultation with members around the world, the scale of the programme is such that it has been decided to delay the launch until September 2013.

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We believe that there may have been some misunderstanding about concepts of Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) and Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) and we would like to clarify how APL and APEL will relate to CPD.

As a dance education and training organisation, we value all learning by the RAD, whether formal (e.g. enrolling on a programme of study, attending lectures, preparing coursework, engaging in seminar / tutorial discussions) or informal (i.e. experiential) learning (e.g. skills and abilities learned at or enhanced by attendance at conferences, seminars, workshops or through learning accumulated through career experience).

Informal learning is more difficult to quantify, but the general principle is that prior learning or prior experience is valued and can be used to gain 'exemption' from having to duplicate or re-learn skills or knowledge already learnt or gained in the pursuit of a further, formal qualification.

For example, if the learning outcomes from a previously completed RAD syllabus course overlap with the learning outcomes of some of the modules contained within the Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS), it is possible that, with evidence, a teacher applying to study CBTS would be exempt from having to take the relevant modules.

Many professional membership organisations operate systems which acknowledge all acceptable learning, in order to ensure that their members (in our case, teachers on the RAD's register) remain at the forefront of their profession. Usually in such cases a system of CPD is offered which both recognises and offers a full range of activities, accepting different styles of learning, both formal and informal. The RAD intends to offer such a system from September 2013, and from that date all RAD CPD activities will have an attached value - stated in either 'credits' (in line with more formal and structured learning) or 'hours' (in line with more informal / experiential forms of learning).

There will be a wide variety of CPD activities enabling teachers to maintain their registration. As implied by the word 'continuing', such activities will need to be completed within a given time span. For this reason, the new Intermediate Foundation & Intermediate courses, for example, which will run throughout 2011, will not carry with them any 'bankable' credits or hours against future mandatory CPD requirements. In the meantime, until September 2013, all teachers' courses / syllabus courses will have an intrinsic value: they may form part of an accreditation of prior learning portfolio, which could lead to exemption from future learning. Moreover, from September 2013, teachers will not need to rely solely on syllabus courses to meet their CPD obligations; as such courses will merely be one of the many ways of fulfilling annual CPD requirements.

How would I make an application for APL or APEL?
Applications for APL / APEL will be considered for all modular RAD programmes of study consisting of at least 120* credits. This currently includes the following programmes of study:

• Master of Teaching (Dance)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education: Dance Teaching (QTS)
• BA (Hons) Ballet Education
• BA (Hons) Dance Education
• Diploma of Higher Education: Dance Education
• Certificate of Higher Education: Dance Education
• Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (application of policy considered from 2012)

*Please note that Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance is a 60 credit programme. Please also note that this is not a full and complete list, prior RAD courses or programmes of study will also be considered.

A teacher would be expected to compile a portfolio of evidence, e.g. documentation to support the successful completion of prior certified courses, and any other relevant courses and work experience, etc. An administrative fee will be charged for applications for APL / APEL as there is considerable work involved in identifying what is, and what is not, relevant, and whether the applicant has sufficient knowledge and skills to gain credit in respect of specific modules of study.

It is also important to note that an application for APL does not automatically result in exemption or credit being given and that the responsibility for providing sufficient evidence that the appropriate skills and knowledge have been achieved rests solely with the applicant.

We hope that this clarifies any previous misconception about what APL or APEL are and how they could be applied in relation to CPD. However, it is a complex area and if you still have questions please do not hesitate to contact Mia Romanus (email: mromanus@rad.org.uk) to seek further clarification.