Key Terms: PD or PL?

To create a more inclusive learning experience we define a couple of key terms for our shared understanding below.

Professional Development or Professional Learning?

In some parts of the world, professional development and professional learning are used interchangeably. We prefer professional learning and will use this term for the most part in this guide. Leaning into the work of Fullan and Hargreaves (2016) we define both terms for our shared understanding.

• Professional Development (PD): This term is often used to signify an event, conference or workshop, or another occurrence that may or may not involve learning something new. PD could be professional learning.

• Professional Learning (PL): Structured adult learning that is potentially of value and more likely linked to measurable outcomes, such as teacher quality, performance and impact. Professional learning refers to growth connected to who you are and what you do.