Resources from across the sector

We have brought together CPD resources, research and developments from across the sector to support your professional development and practice. External websites and documents open in a new window.

CPD research

Here you will find articles and studies on research conducted into continuing professional development.

The best of CPD on Twitter

We've highlighted our favourite CPD related tweets from others in the FE and skills sector that might be useful to our members.

Learning from the best: examples of best practice from providers of apprenticeships in underperforming vocational areas

This good practice report examines the work of 39 providers of work-based learning, including independent learning providers, employer providers and colleges.

Informal adult and community learning resources

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has brought together a wide range of resources specially designed to support anyone with a passion for creating, supporting or delivering high quality informal learning.

Good practice case studies

Are you are looking for ways to improve curriculum design, management and delivery? Need ideas on adjusting your teaching to meet specific learning needs? Or maybe you're looking for ways to improve quality, planning and performance as an organisation? These case studies on good e-practice provide examples from learning providers across England to inspire your work.

Tools for accessibility and inclusion

Do you need more information about accessibility and inclusion? The JISC TechDis Staff Training packs provide a ‘pick and go’ suite of staff development materials covering key accessibility and inclusion themes. These are ideal for in-house training sessions because they come with

  • Background materials.
  • Related icebreaker activity.
  • PowerPoint presentation with full speaker notes.
  • Printable activities sheets.
  • Background Information sheets where relevant.

Using audio, video and moving images: online tutorials

Learn more about using audio, video and moving images with these online tutorials: Internet for Audio Resources and Internet for Video and Moving Images. Produced by JISC Digital Media in conjunction with the Virtual Training Suite (VTS),these free-to-use tutorials have been designed to assist staff and students to locate audio and video for use in teaching and learning

Twitter uncovered

Answers to the questions you wanted to ask about Twitter and ‘Tweeting’ but were afraid to ask can be found here. Topics from creating Twitter accounts, reading Tweets and understanding privacy options, to 'following' other users, #HashTags and utilising Twitter for surveys are covered in a downloadable Summary Guide.

Busy teacher educator guides

These guides focus on specific areas initial teacher education and have been written by teacher educators who work in those particular fields. They are designed specifically to give a brief, intensive overview on a range of practice and research.

The Teachers' Toolbox

Based on materials by Geoff Petty, the Teachers Toolbox looks at teaching from an evidence based point of view through concise video overviews of key subjects, backed up by further reading, document downloads, and Geoff Petty's presentation 'Teaching Tomorrow'.

MoleNET

Looking for some new ideas about using mobile technology with students?  The Mobile Learning Network (MoleNET) will offer inspiration, providing videos, guidance and tips.

The UK Educational Evidence Portal

This portal helps you find educational evidence from a range of reputable UK sources using a single search. It is designed for both professional and lay people interested in education and children's services.

Gold dust: teaching and learning resources for teacher educators

These resources are designed for those who teach on teacher education programmes or coach and support colleagues to improve their teaching and learning. They include a wide and varied range of learning activities, case studies, videos, interactives and more. The resources can help you to focus on key themes and topics related to teaching and learning and also provide content and examples which can be used directly with teachers across the learning and skills sector.

Effective Assessment in a Digital Age

Effective Assessment in a Digital Age is aimed at those in higher and further education who design assessments and feedback for their learners. The guide draws on recent JISC reports and case studies from different contexts and modes of learning to explore the relationship between technology-enhanced assessment and feedback practices and meaningful, well-supported learning experiences.

Embedding technology in your teaching: guides from LLUK

LLUK have created a series of technology guides to help lifelong learning providers to embed technology into their teaching methods. The three guides have been created to support different areas of the lifelong learning workforce, providing a resource to support professional development needs, encourage development of new knowledge and skills, and aid curriculum development, delivery and assessment.

Training resources for family learning providers

Niace in conjunction with key practioners and other organisations from within the sector have produced Family Learning: Professional Practice – this has been written to integrate with existing qualifications for teachers and trainers in the lifelong learning sector. 

BT Qualify - an e-portfolio system for vocational awards

BT Qualify is e-portfolio system to help vocational award assessors and students to build and store the body of evidence necessary for their qualification. Assessors can access the students’ work at any time, helping them to assess their progress towards their qualifications.

New resource for cultural sector leaders

Creative and Cultural Skills, the Sector Skills Council for craft, cultural heritage, design, literature, music, performing, and visual arts, has published ‘A Cultural Leadership Reader’ in partnership with the Cultural Leadership Programme. The Reader brings together key articles and book reviews on the importance of leadership for mid-career and senior professionals in the creative and cultural industries. The resources can be accessed on Creative Choices°, our careers website now hitting 35,000 visits a month.


If you know of resources that may support the professional development and practice of IfL members, please email links to webmaster@ifl.ac.uk