The Value of Incidental Learning in a Multidisciplinary Setting

Abstract

There is much to be gained by students learning together in a multidisciplinary environment. Enabling students to interact in a multidisciplinary clinical setting enhances their opportunity to learn from each other, their supervisors from different disciplines and from their experiences with clients. As well as “formal” learning opportunities which take place in the classroom, seminar environment, or in one-to-one instruction with a clinical supervisor, students working in a clinical setting have a range of opportunities to be exposed to informal, or incidental learning. This is learning that occurs in an opportunistic, unplanned and often, serendipitous fashion. This paper reflects on incidental learning opportunities that have been observed to take place in a multidisciplinary clinical setting, specifically between law, social work and business students. These reflections come directly from practice experience at the Monash-Oakleigh Legal Service, operated by the Faculty of Law at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.