Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Athletic Training Education Journal

Department

Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences Department

ISSN

1947-380X

Volume

2

Issue

1

DOI

10.4085/1947-380X-2.1.10

First Page

10

Last Page

15

Publication Date

3-1-2007

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this paper is to present the practical use of a Mandala that: 1) provides opportunities for athletic training students to explore, reflect on and appreciate their clinical experiences; 2) provides educators with a model to understand and value athletic training student experiences; 3) organizes and captures factors and associated relationships that influence the athletic training student's clinical experience; and 4) provides impetus for further research and discussion between and among athletic training educators.

Background: Athletic training educators often find it difficult to demonstrate and assess the behavioral component of learning. Creative teaching strategies and exercises that help athletic training students develop interpersonal competence, self-awareness, and self-reflection are needed in athletic training education. One approach to address this need is to employ the practical exercise of creating athletic training student Mandalas; portraits of self-expression and interpretation of their athletic training clinical experience.

Description: The Mandala of Clinical Education depicts the individualistic and complex elements of the athletic training student clinical experience. It is a manifestation of a milieu of intrinsic and extrinsic elements, personal experience, and established research. The athletic training student is positioned in the center of the Mandala, embraced by contributing elements and the wholeness of the clinical experience. The artistic design reveals a series of gates, doors, and portals in which the elements of the student's experiences interact and serve as a point for self-reflection.

Conclusion: Mandalas allow the athletic training student and educator opportunities to explore, understand, and value all clinical experiences in athletic training. Mandalas may also facilitate athletic training students developing interpersonal competence, self-awareness and self-reflection, all of which are key components to the foundational behaviors of professional practice.

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