Strengthening Practice Education: A Commitment to Professional Development
2024 has been a year of significant growth and achievement for the Practice Education Team in the Master of Speech Pathology program. With an expanded team, our focus has been on continuing to strengthen our relationships with current placement providers, establishing new domestic and international placement partnerships, and enhancing the support we offer to our practice education network.
Our continued collaboration with key public health and hospital services—including Monash Health, Peninsula Health, Royal Children’s Hospital, St Vincent’s, and Melbourne Health—alongside organisations such as the Department of Education, Scope Australia, Noah’s Ark, and Yooralla, has provided students with exposure to a wide range of speech pathology services across diverse settings and industries. In addition, we have welcomed new placement providers, including Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Speech for Schools, Kyabram District Health Service, and The Shepherd Centre, further expanding the opportunities available to our students, as well as the breadth of knowledge and skills our practice educator network brings. These efforts have been central to our ongoing commitment to improving student placement experiences and fostering stronger connections with the wider speech pathology community.
In line with these goals, 2024 has seen the development and delivery of a Practice Education Professional Development webinar series. These webinars have been designed to equip Practice Educators with the skills, strategies, and knowledge they need to effectively supervise and support students in clinical placements, while also highlighting the importance of clinical education in the growth and development of the profession. Key topics explored throughout the year included addressing challenges in clinical education, developing practice education skills across your career, making the most of assessment, and supporting differing student learning styles.
It is great to see that the feedback from Practice Educators has been overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the practical relevance of the content in their everyday practice. Specifically, educators commented that the training has not only been informative but also interactive, creating an environment where they could share experiences, address common challenges, and learn from one another.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are committed to refining and expanding our professional development offerings to further improve the quality of clinical education and enhance the support we provide to our clinical partners. We also look forward to involving our current students in the development of webinar content, ensuring their perspectives are incorporated into future training.
Written by Eliza Martin and Ana Lopez Flores