Practice Learning and Teaching Orientations (PLATO)

Practice Learning and Teaching Orientations (PLATO)

To support the development of effective partnerships between preceptors and students

Practice settings provide rich opportunities for students to learn with and from their preceptors. While student/preceptor relationships are fundamental to student learning and safe patient care, these relationships are often overlooked.

The Practice Learning and Teaching Orientations (PLATO) courses were developed to support the development of effective partnerships between preceptors and students.

We believe working in partnership can provide limitless opportunities for growth on both sides of the education relationship and can lead to transformative learning experiences.

PLATO Student Course

PLATO Student Course

In the student PLATO course, students will be encouraged to take an active role in developing a partnership with their preceptor, and therefore take more responsibility for their learning experiences and become partners in co-producing their education. Students will engage in self-exploration to explore shifts in perspectives and develop new skills for learning in practice settings. They will also be encouraged to consider the multifaceted influences on their learning experiences.

PLATO Preceptor Course

PLATO Preceptor Course

Preceptors will be supported in strengthening their teaching practice to enrich student learning. They will be encouraged to consider the value and importance of effective clinical learning from the learner and preceptor perspectives and encouraged to view themselves as co-learners in the educational relationship. Developing skills in this area is important, as clinical experiences support learners’ decision making about future careers and can inform the style of educator they ultimately become. 

After course completion

While these PLATO courses were designed to be used by students or preceptors alone, the workbooks completed throughout these courses can be used to guide group discussions, develop learning plans, advance professional portfolios, and inform ongoing professional development and nursing registration requirements.