When it comes to discussing the actions you will take to improve an area of development, many peoples first instinct would be to go on a course. Whilst courses add value, many simple and cost effective learning and development activities can be overlooked.
Here are some ideas to think about:
- E-learning
- Books/e-books/research articles
- NUS Connect – www.nusconnect.org.uk
- Specialist expert magazine subscriptions
- Podcasts
- You Tube videos
- Job shadowing
- Learning from role models
- Arrange an internal or external guest speaker for a team meeting
- Attend free guest lectures at local universities or colleges
- Professional social networking groups/forums
- Coaching
- Mentoring
- Deputising
- Report writing
- Internet research
- Sit on a project working party
- Visits to other students’ associations/unions
- Attend NUS events and conferences
- Attend external specialist conferences and networking events
- Start an internal or external networking group
- Visiting and learning from other organisations
- Volunteering
- Free Online Learning Resources
- Courses at mooc-list.com
- Courses at www.coursera.org/
- Videos at TED.com
- Networking groups – LinkedIn
- Courses at Open University