The Complexity of Learning: Renewed Focus on Continuous Professional Development of Teachers and Educators The goalposts for teachers and educators seem to have changed: in the current world, they are expected to be aware of the latest technologies and pedagogical innovations and integrate these appropriately in their teaching. These expectations are so great, that they increasingly touch upon the very essence of teaching, namely time to build a relationship with their students – resulting in multiple, non-desirable situations. In this presentation, I would like to reflect on teacher continuous professional development through three observations on our current educational landscape. The first observation concerns the multiple pedagogical innovations, often driven by technology, and the changes these have enabled. The second looks at the global crisis in education, accelerated by the pandemic, and the resulting issues of teacher shortage across the globe, including and the importance of lifelong learning and development. The third observation looks at the gap that exists between educational research and educational practice. The impact of these circumstances on educators are dire, pressing and manifold: (i) there is an increased emphasis on learning design, with grand expectations of every educator and teacher; (ii) everyone in the field is increasingly overwhelmed by waves of change, running behind the advancements of technology; (iii) the value of education itself is being increasingly questioned. These circumstances have also sparked debate on the nature of education, and what our goals for our future generations is: do we educate to support our young people to become functional part in society, or do we support them to grow as a person? This reaches to the very heart of the role of education in our societies. Where do we find solutions for these complex challenges? In my presentation, I will propose some areas of action – starting from teacher continuous professional development - that may lead us towards a changed future. Bringing together innovations in educational research methodology and a community-perspective on teacher education, my presentation brings to the fore a vision on sustainable, relevant and fit-for-purpose teacher continuous professional development. | 