Professional Experience Placement

This blog follows on from last week which discussed effective clinical teaching. This blog refers to Lake (2004) who described how to build an effective learning environment.  She stated there needs to be consideration of both teaching and learning styles, whether they match and whether the environment is conducive to learning.

The author discusses adult learning from an alternate perspective. Lake (2004) identified personal motivation; meaningful topic; experience-centred focus; appropriate level of knowledge; clear goals;active involvement; regular feedback; and time for reflection as key models of assumption about learning. The article discusses rationales for each of these principles.

Lake (2004) advocates a learner-centred approach and being mindful of stages of learning. These stages progress from dependent to self-directed as the learner integrates new knowledge. She stated that mismatches in style or level of learning can demotivated both supervisor and student. So it is important to be flexible and use different styles at appropriate times. Lastly, Lake (2004) raised the issue of educational environments are not always conducive to learning. The are times when tiredness, time constraints or hunger distract learners. Workload may also reduce capacity to learn. The physical environment may be too noisy, busy, public or uncomfortable. There are also issues that I have previously mentioned about belonging and being valued within the environment.

If you have any comments about building a good educational environment you are welcome to post them here or join me on Twitter @PEPCommunity