MEDEV

School of Medical Sciences Education Development

Another new chapter has been published in the  Surrey Centre for Excellence in Professional Training and Education (SCEPTrE). Learning to be a professional e-book.  This one is by Michael Eraut and he is always worth hearing. The chapter is entitled Improving the Quality of Work Placements, Michael Eraut, University of Sussex, UK. The synopsis is as below:

'This study was motivated by two questions: 1) How can we make use of the knowledge of how professionals learn through work to improve students' preparedness for learning in work placements? and 2) How can we identify ways in which the quality of a work placement might be improved? The study shows how students' understanding of learning and development in the workplace could be enhanced by incorporating into guidance for learning in the workplace, four conceptual tools developed from knowledge of how professional's learn and develop themselves through their work. It also demonstrates the value of a structured and conceptually-based survey instrument in helping students evaluate their own workplace situation. Patterns of responses to a survey of placement students using this questionnaire, reveal different practices and perceptions of support at departmental level, some appear to be more effective than others. Facilitated discussions within the university could help identify the most effective practices that could then provide the benchmarks for quality improvement.'

You can find it at http://learningtobeprofessional.pbworks.com/w/page/39548725/Improving-the-quality-of-work-placements .

Nigel