To set a learning outcome you first need to identify learning needs.  A learning need is something that you think you should or would like to learn.

You can identify your learning needs from a needs assessment which might incorporate:

• Self assessment
• Critical incident analysis
• Peer review
• Appraisals
• Development review

 You might also consider:

• Personal development goals
• Maintenance of competence
• Gaps in skills or knowledge
• Improving the quality of your practice
• Benefiting your service and service user.

 Learning needs should then be clearly defined in terms of expected learning outcomes.  Be specific, for example “I would like to be able to analyse / identify / manage / reflect……..”

Actual learning outcomes following a learning experience may be different from the learning outcome initially set.  So consider what your actual learning outcome is and be specific in your recording.  “I am now able to analyse / identify / manage / reflect……..”

Now record these in your portfolio! 

We would also like to use this space to express and discuss any development ideas that you have for Physiospot, your views are gratefully welcomed.

To join this community:

1. Search for 'physiospot authors' in the search box (in the top right corner of this page) or use the browse facility (also in the top right corner of this page) to find it
2. Click on the link to the Physiospot Authors community 
3. Finally, click on the link to 'join the physiospot authors community' at the top of the right sidebar (under the picture)
   

To join this community:

1. Search for 'hints & tips' in the search box in the top right corner of this page or use the browse facility to find it
2. Click on the link to 'hints & tips'
3. Click on the 'join this community link' (which is under the question mark icon)
   

 Firstly, summarise the experience details.

• What was the experience?
  
• Where did it happen?
  
• Who else was involved?
  
• How long did it take? 

Then, document your reflectons on the experience. Here is a list of things to consider in your reflections:

• reflect on the actual learning experience
• what was the learning outcome
• reflect on the application of this learning into practice
• how has it contribute to your personal goals
• how is it relevant to your current or future practice
• how has it improved the quality of your practice
• how has it contributed to the maitenance of you competence
• how has it benefitted your service and service user 

Next, record the actual learning outcome. 

• I am now able to ........ 

Then, you might want to link this learning outcome to individual, user and organisational needs. For example you might want to consider:

• Personal development plan
  
• Professional standards of practice
• Codes of conduct
  
• Your development review
• National or service competencies
  

It is a really good idea to try to link your learning experience to research to demonstrate development of your evidence based practice. 

• Try to find recent research evidence that supports your learning experience, learning outcome and/or reflections in a way that provide an evidence base for the development of your practice as a reault of this particular learning experience.
  

Finally, record any other learning needs that have been identified from this experience. 

• I would like to be able to......
• ... and add this to your CPD plan.
  

If you don't have time to record all of this in detail, any small part of it is much better than none at all! 

MyCPDspot is a place for health professionals to record and share their professional development portfolios using blogs and social networking tools.

We envisage that this system will allow you to easily keep up to date with recording your professional development, demonstrating the evidence base for your practice and sharing this with colleagues.