Fitting together the pieces : using the jigsaw classroom to facilitate paramedic WIL

Clinical health disciplines require students to undertake work integrated learning placements to develop skills and knowledge that cannot be adequately experienced in a classroom or simulated environment. With an increasing number of disciplines moving from vocational to higher education over the years the clinical placement arena has become more crowded requiring innovation to provide students with cohesive, worthwhile learning experiences. Western Sydney University paramedicine program adapted the jigsaw pedagogy to overcome this issue. Students each undertake an equivalent, yet different clinical placement in one of three health settings and then return to teach their peers and vicariously learn of their experiences. In developing this, the program has provided students with diverse and valuable placements, modelled the inherent nature of interprofessionalism through the collaborative learning and overcome the placement shortage affecting so many disciplines.