Module Overview

This is a module aimed at any Health Care Professional who is keen to develop their skills in supervising junior colleagues, students or trainees. It is suitable for those who currently have supervision responsibilities but also those who would like to develop their skills and theoretical understanding of supervision in order to prepare them for future supervisory practice.

 

Aims of the module

This module aims to explore and critically engage with the contemporary issues in clinical and educational supervision, through multiple theoretical and practical lenses. This will enable students to develop a deeper understanding of the theoretical and evidence frameworks underpinning supervisory relationships. In particular, it allows students to relate their learning to their own supervisory experience (as teacher or learner) in the clinical workplace.

The module aims to support students to gain insight into areas relevant to the process of supervision, including:

Models of/ Approaches to supervision
	Identifying educational needs
	Reflecting effectively and supporting effective reflection for supervisees
	Differential Attainment in the clinical workplace learning environment
	Undertaking supervisory conversations
	Supporting supervisees encountering difficulty
The module also aims to support exploration of the relevant aspect of the educational environment and requirements of the supervisee, for example

Workplace learning
	Assessment in clinical settings
	Interprofessional learning.
 

Module learning outcomes

On this module, you will develop knowledge, skills and understanding that will enable you to:

Review theories of supervision and apply them to your practice (or potential practice) as an educator and supervisor in clinical settings.
	Undertake in-depth reflection on your own practice, informed by an understanding of the theoretical basis of reflective practice
	Support supervisees in the development of their own ability to reflect effectively
	Critically assess the different approaches used in supervisory practice and apply them to your own setting
Reflect on individual skills required for effective supervision, self-reflection and promoting self-awareness.
	Feel confident in undertaking reflective practice
	Feel confident in supporting supervisees to undertake reflective practice and improve the effectiveness of their reflective practice
	Develop awareness of different approaches used to manage performance for professional development in the clinical context
Mode of Delivery

This module will be delivered over 8 weeks, via asynchronous learning activities on Moodle, (UCL’s Virtual Learning Environment), and 5 x live ‘synchronous’ sessions on Zoom. The synchronous sessions comprise one synchronous day at the start of the module, to orientate students to the module, and allow you to virtually meet tutors and one another. This is followed by four additional live tutorials which take place every two weeks. Although synchronous sessions are recorded, students are strongly encouraged to attend sessions live, to allow you to get to know your group, and get the most out of learning on the module.

How you’ll learn on the module

The nine-week programme of study is structured in one- or two-week ‘Units’ of study, which students undertake in a self-directed manner, using Learning Activities on Moodle, which are announced at the start of each week. The Live Web Tutorials throughout the module offer students the chance to explore key topics alongside their peers and tutors, to ‘check in’ regarding more challenging aspects of learning, and to receive feedback during assignment preparation.

The teaching approach for the weekly asynchronous Learning Activities will vary depending on the type of learning activity. At times there will be close facilitation of online activities, and at others learning will be more self-directed, or involve peer feedback.

During Learning Activities, you will engage with learning materials provided on Moodle, which offer signposts to appropriate literature, and exercises to challenge and develop your understanding. It is important to remember that the module has a self-directed approach, which places you as the student in the role of proactive learner, responsible for your own learning journey. We therefore encourage you take a proactive approach to immersing in the relevant literature, by browsing the reading list, and searching for additional journals within your area of interest. Module tutors will be happy to discuss new articles that you have found in terms of their relevance to the module.

Peer Feedback Activity: Early in the second half of the module, you will take part in a compulsory peer learning activity which involves exchanging a short piece of reflective work with another student, to give and receive feedback. This is to support your learning, in conjunction with relevant literature, regarding Reflecting Effectively and Supporting Reflection in Others, which are core components of supervision practice. You will also receive formative feedback from tutors, regarding both your reflective account and your feedback to your peer. Please check the deadlines for this and the summative assessment below, to ensure you are able to complete the work in a timely manner.

Summative Assessment: The module is assessed with a 2,000 word assignment, comprising an academic piece of writing based on one of the areas addressed in the module, that you feel is relevant to your own supervisory practice.