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Professional Education

Pursuing additional education to satisfy the need for addi- discussions during times that are convenient for them, at
tional information is called lifelong learning. their own pace, at any time, and from any location.
Lifelong learning is a continuous, seamless effort of Course management systems are commercially developed
training for professionals. Learning occurs through efforts software that are designed for classroom management,
on the part of workers in conjunction with professional instructional management, and performance assessment.
schools. It builds on one’s current knowledge and under- They allow on-line access, either directly or through Web
standing and is tailored to reflect interests and goals. Con- page links, to course content. These systems monitor par-
tinuing development results in strengthening practices ticipant progress by managing files of participants as they
and the development of professionals who assume respon- navigate through course content.
sibility for maintaining high standards. Many profession- Professional development courses on the Internet
als are self-motivated to learn new competencies required offer new challenges and new opportunities for profes-
on the job because it enables them to acquire higher sional education. The Internet addresses most professional
degrees of skill and commitment. Training and develop- development needs of the twenty-first century. Other
ment creates confident, expert professionals who are moti- innovative opportunities continue to develop that will
vated to learn and committed to fostering personal offer more services to help with research and keep us
growth. informed about topics of special interest. By making use
of this technology, instruction is extended beyond the
physical limitations of traditional classrooms. Internet
THE INTEGRATION OF
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION technology offers an unlimited database of new knowl-
edge that is available at little or no cost. Attention is
Society has witnessed an explosion in knowledge and directed to professional development at all levels. This
technological ability. Changes in job responsibilities and
new vision of professional development requires a new
new technologies require specialization in both the profes-
vision of preparation that includes the ability to relate
sion and the technology. The Internet has changed the
technology to particular professions and to related fields.
nature of professional education by offering an alternative
It is essential that programs access and integrate technol-
to traditional classroom instruction that delivers the same
ogy to facilitate participant learning. This type of cooper-
services as a regular classroom environment.
ation continues to build a new educational system that is
The Internet is an asset to professional development
based on the traditional concept of lifelong learning.
because of the diversity of resources and ideas it has to
offer. In addition, it is readily accessible to most people
SUMMARY
and user-friendly. The Internet offers a variety of Web-
based instructional options, including e-mail, listservs, Professional education educates the new generation of
mailing lists, newsgroups, Web pages, and course manage- professionals, expanding the frontiers of knowledge and
ment systems. reaching out in service to society. Professional education is
increasingly being called upon to play a significant role in
E-mail is an easy-to-use communication tool used for
delivering letters and memos. It usually involves only text the administration of new programs within continuing
and is a fast way to facilitate class interaction and discus- and new structures. The rapidly changing society in which
sion. It allows information such as assignments and professionals exist demands that they attempt to maximize
announcements to be sent back and forth between work performance. There is no single model that serves as
instructor and student. Listservs, mailing lists, and news- a prototype program. There are many programs that serve
groups are simple, convenient, and flexible to use. A list- the diverse needs of professionals who are assuming differ-
serv is a special-interest discussion group that distributes ent roles and greater responsibilities. Professional educa-
messages to many users on a mailing list. Users post mes- tion is a lifelong process and continues to improve,
sages and the listserv software sends the messages to the tailoring programs to help shape competent workers for
the twenty-first century.
members. Mailing lists are discussions that allow users to
send messages to groups of people as easily as to a single SEE ALSO Corporate Education; Online Education;
person. Newsgroups are discussion groups organized by Training and Development
topic. Messages are not sent to an e-mail account but are
posted to a central location on a network. When users are
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ready, they select the topics they are interested in and the
Abdal-Haqq, Ismat (1998). Professional Development Schools:
messages they want to read. Web pages are also an effec- Weighing the Evidence. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
tive tool for exchanging ideas on the Internet. They allow
Evers, Frederick T., Rush, James Cameron, and Berdrow, Iris
participants to progress through instructional materials to (1998). The Bases of Competence: Skills for Lifelong Learning
achieve learning outcomes and to participate in electronic and Employability. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

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