Intern supervision : how to support supervising teachers better?

Abstract

Supervising interns is an important part of the work of technical program teachers and poses specific challenges that set it apart from teaching in the classroom or workshop. Yet there is little literature on this activity and an apparent lack of detailed knowledge on this aspect of a teacher’s work. We therefore conducted a research project to develop an accurate profile of college intern supervision. The findings reflect a complex activity with several unique characteristics that extend beyond the educational relationship and confront supervisors with occasionally contradictory concerns. Considering this, the supervision of interns needs to receive greater support. To this end we have identified several intervention approaches to support college teachers in this activity.