'But i thought you were doing that' - Clarifying the role of the host supervisor in experience-based learning

The host supervisor plays a vital and complex role in experience-based learning and the various forms of learning through participation (LTP) such as cooperative education, work-integrated learning, work-based learning, practicum and so on. This paper offers a new resource, the Analysis and Reflection Tool, which is designed to assist all stakeholders to understand and better articulate the roles, responsibilities and activities that an individual host supervisor might be expected to fulfil. The resource, based on an extensive review of the literature, presents a conceptual framework that outlines the four key roles commonly expected of host supervisors: support, education, administration/ managerial and guardian. The discussion highlights different emphases used in disciplines such as education, nursing and business, and some of the factors that may lead to mismatched expectations of stakeholders. Clearer understanding of stakeholder roles and better communication are important steps to providing adequate support to host supervisors.