Training on the train: 3 useful tools for professional development

Professional development  for teachers should be an ongoing continuous activity and many teachers take a proactive approach, however there are some teachers who think of professional development is 'one of those courses you go on'. I don't know about you but generally I find sitting in a room sticking post-it notes on a big sheet of A3 about as useful as an inflatable dart board. Don't get me wrong, I have been on some very useful courses and often the best thing about the course is the questions it makes me ask, but I generally find that I learn more by researching something that I need to do, as and when I need to do it. The problem with the latter approach of course is that you sometimes don't get exposed to new ideas or approaches. Time is of course another factor with professional development. How do you find the time to keep up to date with the latest developments in education? Here I would like to explain my personal approach. I hope you find it useful.