Sharing learning through narrative communication

This paper examines key aspects of the learning experiences of ten speech and language therapy (SLT) students on clinical placements, as revealed by an analysis of 102 narrative accounts. We argue that when students on placements tell stories of their learning experiences the process of recounting them can help them to reflect on and consolidate what they have learned and to have this learning validated by peer, clinician or tutor audiences. Thus, sharing learning through narrative communication is itself further learning from the original experience. We show how students evaluate their learning experiences, how their growing confidence is mediated by clinicians and how such narratives are shared in normal student interaction. Tutors might use the insights from narrative learning to raise students' awareness of their own learning, and thus to improve it.