Preparing for Placement

This chapter aims to help students and educators make the most of this valuable time. It offers advice for educators in preparing for student placement. In role-emerging or project placements, opportunities to present as a student–educator team may be more difficult due to the limited amount of time the long-arm supervisor is on-site. Joint supervision opportunities with the on-site supervisor or sponsor can offer a way to present as an educator-student team. Preparation is an important part of the success of any placement. It is worthwhile starting to prepare as early as possible so that orientation materials can be developed and schedules organised ahead of time. Educators need contact with university placement co-ordinators to collaboratively design a suitable placement structure. This could be role-established, role-emerging or project placements with one or more students or supervisors.