The application of student-centred learning approaches to clinical education

This paper explores current thinking on adult learning and discusses its application to the clinical education of speech and language therapy students. It is based on evidence from a two-year project funded by the Trent Regional Consortium which is trialling an innovative means of providing paediatric placements. The educational literature has recognised for some time the importance of student-centred teaching and learning and has encouraged movement away from a didactic teacher-student model to one where students are seen as active in the learning process. This paper offers a model as to how these principles may be applied to clinical placements to promote self-directed lifelong learning and to prepare speech and language therapists to meet the challenges of continuing professional development and the ever-changing working environment.