1. Introduction

The need for continuing development of knowledge and skills is well recognised in the education sector throughout the world.

The rapid changes that have taken place in many subjects; changes to the curriculum and teaching methods; developments in technology, particularly information and communications technology; and the constantly evolving role of schools in our society, all suggest that a teacher's competences and knowledge need frequently to be reviewed and updated.

Listen to this example from Singapore, Gopi Nathan

Change and Teaching & LearningChange and Teaching & Learning

Gopi Nathan, Nanyang University
"Four or five major initiatives are going to transform the classroom. 'What does professional development mean in this context?' is something that we are beginning to wrestle with and the ministry of education in Singapore has come up with a document, I call it a cradle to grave document, but essentially it is about learning through a lifetime, learning throughout your career, what learnings might be appropriate at what points in time and for what sorts of responsibilities..."

The purpose of professional development is to allow opportunities for individual and groups of teachers to acquire or to extend their knowledge, skills and abilities so that they may inter alia:

• Reflect on their experience and practice so that pupil needs are better addressed
• Clarify their own values
• Develop their own practice, professional skills and abilities
• Learn more about current research, policy and practice from other schools
• Collectively consider and further develop school policy