Learning contracts help gain commitment from both the student and supervisor. They allow both parties to plan learning experiences. Traditionally it is the supervisor who plans learning activities during fieldwork.
Students can be more pro-active in learning rather than reacting to what the supervisor has planned.
Students and supervisors both know what the expectations of the placement are. Learning contracts can increase ownership and commitment by students who have determined their own learning needs. Learning contracts acknowledge that there are differences between individual students and learners. Each has a different world view based on their prior life experience, information gathering and processing methods. A learning contract allows the student to gain control over their own learning and to validate their learning through the presentation of a reflective journal, personal resource files and other means.