What Potential Does an Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) Have in Addressing the Learning Needs of Educators in Malta?

Abstract

This paper reveals the potential benefits and challenges of using the Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) to support teachers’ learning needs. The IPDP is used by human resources management across different industries including education to assist in the planning of professional development and career paths. This strategic tool is used to recognise and document skills, knowledge and training options required to achieve short-term and long-term goals. Results of this study exposed potential benefits as being improved reflective practice; exposure to strategic planning; motivation to learn; and consideration of students’ needs. The potential challenges were recognised as being teachers’ negative attitudes towards PD; lack of experience in self-reflective practices and goal-setting; time restraints; imposed union directives; and teaching conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study also examined the potential use of the IPDP by senior leadership teams. The results show that the IPDP could potentially promote community learning; goal-setting alignment with school development plans; alignment with student needs; and different forms of PD.