A pre-wifi experience: Learning contracts for CPD

LEARNING contracts provide a commitment for adults to learn, guiding learners to keep track of their choice of learning goals. With reference to continuing professional development (CPD) of the academics themselves, a learning contract may be defined as “a written plan that describes what an individual will learn as a result of some specified learning activity.” It serves as “a tool for communicating learning intentions. ...” “Learning contracts can take many forms” and there are “a number of terms used interchangeably in reference to them, such as learning plans, study plans, performance agreements, or self-development plans.” “… the term learning contract ... is the most common term in use today.” However, I have not come across this term or its other labels in either local or international teaching and learning discussions in the several decades as an official in several HEI’s. But we did use it in several state colleges I was with.

How learning contracts may be utilized depends on an HEI’s purpose. As a major tool for CPD, preferably in summer, hold a review of human and attendant resources of general education and major requirements for each program. This assumes that the various curricula respond to the philosophy, vision and mission of the institution. The review translates into present and needed enhancement of qualifications and experience of the academics, the library and laboratory resources essential to all curricula and related policies. Review results focus on invigorating the threefold function of instruction, research and community extension/civic engagement. Accordingly, academics draft the specific objectives of their learning contracts in consultation with their respective peers, chairs and deans. Together, college deans draw up the overall plan and the CPD budget, coordinating with proper officials for support resources. Much spade work needs to be done in coming out with a consolidated two-pronged CPD plan—the school-based and the study leaves and sabbaticals; the search for the latter for study grants, leave schedules to avoid disrupting term course offerings, readiness of concerned academics to be away from families for studies, etc.—all these details need working out.