Continuing Competence Program
How to Write a Learning Plan
A Learning Plan is a “contractual agreement” with the College to develop and/or enhance one’s professional knowledge, skills, judgements, and attitudes. Individuals assume personal responsibility for learning and evaluating progress in attaining specific competency goals. 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).
At the time of the initial MLT Practice Permit Renewal, members create a new Learning Plan outlining a minimum of three and up to a maximum of six Learning Objectives for the upcoming registration year. Over the course of the registration year, members can 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 year are required.
A new Learning Plan consists of the following:
Competency Number - 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 since the competencies as listed are broad in scope; however, the Learning Objective(s) must have a different focus and demonstrate a different element of learning from the previous year.
Learning Objective - A Learning Objective is 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 detailed and measurable focus, and complements the current or anticipated area of practice.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:
The College requires members to write specific and discrete Learning Objectives so each demonstrates a different focus and element of learning. Many competencies as stated in the MLT Competency Profile are very broad in topic and as a result, individuals must identify a specific focus for each submitted Learning Objective. Learning Objectives should be stated in specific terms to provide clarity to the intended outcome but not so narrowly stated to limit attainability. It 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 ACMLT 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 ACMLT 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.
Please click Documentation Guidelines for Learning Activities for a complete list of approved Learning Activities and the corresponding documentation.
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.
Target Date - 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 up 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 2013 Learning Plan, the College will recognize learning activities from September 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013 provided at least one Learning Objective is completed in 2013.
A completed Learning Plan consists of the following components:
- Objective Met – An individual must state whether or not the Learning Objective was achieved – YES or NO.
- Learning Outcome– An individual must state how they achieved the stated Learning Objective and how their professional practice has been impacted. It can be as simple as “Attended workshop on professionalism and now feel more self-assured in discussions with discourteous colleagues.”
Other examples of Learning Outcomes:
o Upon completion of Lab course _____, I feel more confident releasing results.
o I attended the in-service presented by _____ on April 13, 2013 and reviewed department manuals on June 14th and 15th, 2013 and now understand the _____ process.
o I had the opportunity to observe and discuss discrepant results with my Tech II (as detailed on my Continuing Competence Activity Log) and feel more confident in my abilities to resolve problem specimens.
Record of Learning Activities
It is necessary to document all learning activities undertaken to complete Learning Objectives as outlined in the "Documentation Guidelines for Learning Activities". A Continuing Competence Program (CCP) Activity Log is a standardized template used to document learning activities and is requested at the time of a CCP compliance audit. The College will accept an alternate document provided it is well-organized, chronological, an easy-to-follow format (e.g. Excel spreadsheet), and contains all of the required information captured in the "Continuing Competence Program Activity Log".
For more information, please click Sample Continuing Competence Program Activity Log.
If an individual did not meet a specified Learning Objective, a brief reason must be provided, such as:
- The learning activity was postponed/cancelled.
- The Learning Objective was no longer applicable.
- I already completed three Learning Objectives.
An uncompleted Learning Objective may be applied to a subsequent year’s Learning Plan provided it is still supported by the Self-Assessment.
Dedicated hours – the time (in hours) of instruction, participation, review, learning, etc. necessary for an individual to complete a Learning Objective. It does not reflect the hours the new learning has been applied to professional practice. All learning is individualized and the number of hours to complete a learning activity for a specific Learning Objective will vary between individuals.
