Your question about students not getting the most out of work experience - I am relating to the many times I have seen students come into practice, stand in a corner, not say anything, not ask questions, not offer to help, not muck in - and just take 'seeing practice' far too literally!
Ok, so no touching animals, no touching anything you aren't authorised to in fact; no talking to clients and no butting in - that's not going to work - but get yourselves involved with what's going on as much as you can do.
Ask if you can ask questions, and ask them - we (most of us) love it! Offer to clean up. Offer to take the dog for a wee outside (on a lead, in a contained area). Offer to make tea. Go and get the mop before you're asked! Empty the bin if it's full. All the stuff that we do all the time, but really appreciate a bit of help with. In return, the practice team are far more likely to try and help you.
On the flip side - imagine you work in a practice, and there's someone there watching you, silently, not saying anything, not showing any apparent interest. It's hard and a little awkward - so make it easier for the team, and far more benficial for you. Does that make sense?
Jill