Learning, Learning Problems and the Problematic Learner

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to introduce the supervisor to a range of ideas, concepts and approaches which we think will be useful in recognising learning difficulties and helping the student to overcome them. Students commonly experience a variety of learning difficulties, from the more frequent very minor ones, which the supervisor might decide to ‘write off’, to the less common, more serious ones, which might lead to consideration of failing. Learning problems do not come neatly packaged, but often emerge gradually in the form of ‘symptoms’. Often they are readily owned by the student, who brings them to supervision for help, but sometimes they have to be ‘proved’ by the practice teacher.