• Lifelong and self-directed: Professional learning is an ongoing and continuing process that takes place in various forms (formal, informal, integrated). The process should be integrated into the expectations of their roles. Professional learning should be self-directed, which is consistent with principles of adult learning, e.g. involving in planning (Knowles’ principles)
• Needs-focused and engaging: Formal PL programs should take into consideration academics’ background, capabilities, and their career plan and tailored to the needs of individual academics. PL also needs to be interactive, engaging and reflective and related to their work as teachers and course designers.
• Praxis-orientated and context-specific: Professional learning programs should be practice-focused, contextualised and situated in the department/school/unit and responsibilities that academics are involved in.
• Collaborative and integrative
  • Inter-disciplinary: Respecting and integrating knowledge, skills and experience of people working in different areas of expertise.
  • Inter-professional: involves collaboration with and integration of ideas and experiences of specialists in teaching, learning and curriculum design (e.g. learning designers, learning management system experts)
  • Inter-personal: based on respect for, communication and negotiation with diverse colleagues and students.