The importance of creating a safe learning environment

As OTs, we understand the impact the environment can have on our clients functioning.  The same goes for student learning.  When we, as educators, create a safe and positive environment, we set the stage for our students to feel ready to take on safe risks.  

But once again, don’t take my word for it…here are some thoughts from OTs in our community:

The feedback I have received from students in the past is that I create a supportive environment - where they do not feel afraid to try out their skills and have things not go "perfectly". Most students have said this has helped them build confidence....because a "failure or hiccup" is just an opportunity to debrief and learn from. My hope is that I make their placement feel like a partnership that we are in together.

I would hope they would say I encourage people to try and make mistakes in a safe supportive environment, I know for me I usually learn the lesson better and never forget it.

I try to be approachable and let the students know that this is a safe place to ask any questions no matter how silly they think they may be.  I always take them seriously and make sure we laugh a lot too.

Lisa

Revised by Julie, 2024

Treat the student like a new colleague

The most frequently mentioned tip by the nominees to the Fieldwork Roster of Honour was to treat the student as a new colleague, making them feel part of the team. 

Here are some of the comments:

I try to treat the students more like a new therapist and colleague. It seems to make them feel like they have a useful role and take responsibility more readily.

Make them feel welcome and part of the team. It can be so overwhelming being in a big facility with so many new faces and things to learn. I really believe that it's important that, as educators, we remember what it was like to be student and the stress that placements can have on them.

I try to provide students with as many experiences as possible and make sure that they feel part of the team.

In my particular area of practice, we work very closely with our other interdisciplinary team members; it was important to me that my student got to work in partnership with these various disciplines and also to feel like a valued member of our team. I was happy to hear [their] feedback about feeling [their] voice was heard in our team meetings and that [their] opinion mattered--I think one of the number one goals of any placement is for the student to feel affirmed in their role as an OT.

…it is very important...to be acknowledged in some way for the contributions they make.  Although they are students, they are on the path to joining the profession and I think it important to acknowledge their success with this and welcome them in.  

Lisa

Revised by Julie, 2024