Continuing Competence Program
A Learning Plan is a “contractual agreement” with the College to develop and/or enhance one’s professional knowledge, skills, judgements, and attitudes.
Learning Plans are based on the current or anticipated area of practice and are derived from the competencies identified in the Self-Assessment as either DEV (developmental) or DTL (desire to learn).
During the initial online MLT Practice Permit Renewal, members create a new Learning Plan for the upcoming registration year. Over the course of the registration year, members document learning activities undertaken to complete their Learning Objectives. In all subsequent renewal years, a new Learning Plan for the upcoming year and a completed Learning Plan from the previous registration year are required.
NEW LEARNING PLAN
A new Learning Plan consists of the following components:
Based on individual priority, members select three to six Competency Numbers identified through the Self-Assessment as DEV (developmental) or DTL (desire to learn) to create a new Learning Plan. The College allows members to select the same Competency Number for consecutive renewal years provided the Learning Objective(s) has/have a different focus and demonstrates a different element of learning from the previous year.
A specific statement describing the knowledge, skills, judgments, and attitudes an individual will acquire prior to the next registration year. A valid Learning Objective relates directly to the selected Competency Number, contains a detailed and measurable focus, and complements the current or anticipated area of practice. The College requires members to write specific and discrete Learning Objectives so each demonstrates a different focus and element of learning. Learning Objectives should be stated in specific terms to provide clarity to the intended outcome, but not so narrowly stated to limit attainability.
The SMART method is a simple, yet effective means to develop and ultimately complete Learning Objectives. The College applies the SMART method to each Learning Objective to determine validity/ acceptability. There are several interpretations of each letter in the SMART acronym; however, the College utilizes the following:
S Specific Objectives should be concrete, detailed, focused, and well defined.
M Measurable Make sure you can track your progress towards a goal.
A Attainable You have control over the outcome.
R Realistic A realistic goal is practical and reasonable.
T Timely Achievable within the next few months or within the year.
NOTE: A Learning Objective must be a statement on the topic or subject matter of the area selected for learning and not a statement about the projected resources which will be utilized. For example, “I will attend the CMLTA Annual General Meeting” is a Resource and Strategy, not a Learning Objective. An example of an acceptable Learning Objective would be “To strengthen my understanding of the CMLTA Bylaws and legislation”.
Resources and Strategies
The tools an individual utilizes to fulfill the Learning Objective. The College recognizes learning is achieved through many avenues dependent upon the preferred learning style of the member. Resources and Strategies could be people, literature, courses, policies, procedures, etc. The College acknowledges a learning activity may have several applications if the focus is broad, but members must identify discrete Resources and Strategies for each Learning Objective submitted.
For a listing of learning activities and associated documentation, please refer to Documentation Guidelines for Learning Activities.
Projected Professional Development
How an individual will apply this new knowledge and/or skill to their area of practice or how an individual will know or demonstrate they have met the stated Learning Objective. The following are examples of appropriate responses:
- I will develop a program/process/product.
- I will enhance critical thinking/decision making.
- I will improve communication skills.
A realistic time frame for achievement of the stated Learning Objective and assists an individual to coordinate learning activities with work, family, personal time, and other project commitments. The Target Date will vary depending upon the complexity and urgency of the Learning Objective. The College suggests all learning activities be undertaken during the year for which a MLT Practice Permit is issued; however, learning activities from September 1 prior to the registration year through December 31 of the registration year will be accepted, but a minimum of one Learning Objective must be completed in the year for which the MLT Practice Permit has been issued. For example, on a 2015 Learning Plan, the College will recognize learning activities from September 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015 provided at least one Learning Objective is completed in 2015.
COMPLETED LEARNING PLAN
Individuals are required to complete a minimum of three submitted Learning Objectives.
New: Effective with the 2015 completed Learning Plans, Members are only required to indicate (Yes or No) whether or not Learning Objectives have been achieved.
An uncompleted Learning Objective may be applied to a subsequent year’s Learning Plan provided it is still supported by the Self-Assessment.