How can I prepare for a PAL placement?

What if I need more support?

You do not need to do specific preparation for a PAL placement, but as PAL relies on teamwork, discussion and reflection, students need to be aware of their own learning and communication styles to work effectively in a group.

Practice Educators will facilitate, but it can also be helpful to consider:

How do I communicate in groups?

If I sometimes dominate conversation, how can I make sure everyone's voice is heard?
If I am quieter, what would help me feel more confident in a group?
Am I best on the spot or after time to think?
How do I provide helpful feedback?

How do I like to learn?

Do I benefit from trying things out myself?
Is demonstration helpful?
Does writing things down help me, or having a written copy of information?
Is it helpful to talk through tasks with others?
How might others in the group learn differently?

What are my learning objectives?

What are my interests?
Which skills I can develop on this placement?
What do I hope to learn from this style of placement?
What can I learn from my peers?
Are there gaps in my knowledge or experience?

For more information and ideas:

Reflective Practice - HCPC resources to reflect on your upcoming placement.
Models of feedback to help support peers and develop supervision skills.

What if I need more support?