Course description
School placements are planned to be face to face however if restrictions change the course will proceed but school placements may take a different form
Health Studies in Education offers an opportunity for medical students to experience a 2 week placement in a secondary school, designing learning materials and taking classes in a range of subjects from a medical perspective. The students enrich the curriculum by making connections between it and medicine. Joining in the general life of the school wherever possible is encouraged. Students also have opportunities to mentor senior pupils who are interested in applying for medical school and on general aspects of student life.
The supportive 2-week Induction programme prior to the school placement includes interactive sessions on making best use of learning theories and planning learning for others. Presentation skills are important and support is provided for further development of these skills. Reflective practice and reflective writing have been an important feature of education for a long time and students have the opportunity to access support to further develop their understanding of professional reflection. Guest lecturers may contribute sessions on some aspects of Health Education. Students will usually be in contact with school staff in advance of their placement to discuss their timetable and decide on what they will need to prepare..
The current schools who offer placements are in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray and Highland and fit well with the Medical School’s commitment to equalising opportunity and widening participation in careers in Medicine and Medical Science.
Students are not allocated on the basis of car ownership. If the course is oversubscribed the course allocation system selects at random students who have listed this as their first choice. Students who are allocated will be assigned a school suitable for the transport available to them.
Students are assigned to schools in pairs and may indicate preferences for both teaching partner and placement school area - which are met as far as possible. The university covers all accommodation and travel costs.
Health Studies in Education is unique in Scotland and the enrichment it offers pupils and staff is highly regarded by the schools – but it is equally about enriching medical education by offering students the experience of another professional environment with a very similar ethos, where communication and team work can be further developed.
The course is in 3 parts and in the final two weeks the students reflect on what they have learned as they prepare and deliver an assessed presentation. The presentations are an opportunity to share experiences with others and to celebrate what has been achieved. Students also undertake a written submission which involves the evaluation of a lesson which they have designed and delivered, together with a piece of reflective writing.
This course is capped at 22 students due to school placements
Course Coordinator: Brenda Harden brenda.harden1@abdn.ac.uk