an investigative analysis of the psychological characteristics and job ...

2.2.1 Role and Responsibility Relative to Students
One of the most important roles and responsibilities of a CEl is to create an environment in which
the student can learn and develop new skills. Making learning concrete and relevant to the learner
has been the goal of educationists over the ages (Ekpenyong, 1999: 453).
Clark (1991:17) concurs with the above when he states that there is a requirement to establish
some basic conditions to facilitate learning and personal change. The first set of conditions has to
do with the individual - how he or she feels about self. The second set of conditions has to do with
the environment - physical and emotional.
According to Coli, Eames and Halsey (1997:32) the CEL is an academic member of staff and has
three main duties. The first of these duties is to act as an academic consultant for the student and
so provide advice to the student while on placement Consequenfiy the CEl is a staff member who
has some expertise in the subject that the student is studying while on placement Each student is
required to prepare a detailed report about the placement and the second role of the CEl is to
offer support in the writing of the report The final role of the CEl is the assessment of the
placement
Furthermore, Porter (1981 :17) states that the co-ordinator must give his students proper guidelines
within which to channel their thinking about career options for co-operative work assignments and
for after graduation opportunities; encourage them to seek opportunities compatible with their
interests and consistent with their skills, aptitudes and abilities; and counsel them with respect to
their progress and adjustment on their work assignments.
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