Developing
Practicalities
Before choosing a developmental opportunity it's worth thinking about practicalities. These could include cost, timescales and the urgency of the development need at the outset. You may also need to consider how much funding is likely to be available; if you are asking your department to fund the cost of your training and the working hours lost then remember that your request will be considered in the light of budgetary restrictions and within the wider training needs of the department. This may mean that your preferred option may not be feasible in the short term so it might be helpful to consider a number of ways of meeting the identified development need where possible.
How do I prefer to learn?
Also think about the way in which you prefer to learn and how you learn best. For instance, do you learn most successfully whilst watching, trying things out practically, reading, listening, discussing, reflecting, researching or questioning? Think about the times when you have learned something successfully and try to identify what it was about the experience that helped you learn effectively. You might find it helpful to think about a time when you didn’t learn so well and compare it to a better experience to identify what it is that makes learning work for you.
Finding the best solution
Remember to start by identifying what it is that you need to learn. Try to be as precise as you can. What is it that you need to do differently? Make sure that the development you choose will result in the change you need. If you are thinking about a course, check the content and learning outcomes advertised and then review these against your development need. How well do they match?