Links to other blogs relating to OT education & technology

At WFOT conference in Sydney in 2006 a group of motivated OT's joined to develop a Blog where OT educators could discuss the role of ICT in OT education. Here's the link to that Blog .

Online support groups

OT's often find good online support groups for particular client groups. Self-help in the online world has positives and negatives... What are your experiences?

Creating Wikis in OT for education and practice

Something I tried this year in OT education was development of a Wiki. First year students were required to create a Wiki for a group assignment. The assignment was to identify a community activity that was designed to improve the health and well-being of the people involved.

Students chose groups ranging from community choirs to falls prevention groups and one group looked at a school leavers' support program called Red Frogs.

Students needed to demonstrate their understandings of the Action Research Process that was guiding the development of the community program, identify a community model of practice that was reflected in the program and discuss the occupational science principles being addressed by the program (eg: Occuptional Imbalance).

Each project was developed by students, in groups of 5 or 6 people, and pulled together in a Wiki. Using the history tab on the Wiki we could see how the Wiki developed over time and who had contributed. We could have used this as a marking tool but didn't because some of the students who were less technologically minded preferred to have other group members put their work on to the Wiki for them. In future I would make contribution to the Wiki part of the marking rubric.

Development of Wiki's has potential in the area of OT practice. Maybe we could have post-discharge information about Total Hip Precautions on a Wiki! I'm sure there are lots of areas where we'd love to enable access to up to date online information for our clients and also know that we can update it regularly. It sure beats pamphlets going out of date or out of print!

Has anyone created a Wiki in OT practice? Anyone else using these in OT education?

TechnOTs

TechnOTs are occupational therapists who like using technology for networking, education and in OT practice settings. If you are a TechnOT tell us what you're doing and where you think OT can do better in using technology.

Using the Wii with older adults

Nintendo Wii is an off the shelf console game that requires players to simulate activities such as tennis, bowling and dancing. Players are usually standing (although not necessary) and they actively use their upper limbs to participate.

Players use vision, eye-hand coordination, grip strength, dexterity, planning and their previous knowledge the activity. Where this is being used in OT we are seeing increased motivation to participate as the Wii has games previously enjoyed but which now difficult due to limitations caused by arthritic conditions, neurological impairment or just general ageing. Players report that they also enjoy competing in a fun environment.

Are you using the Wii in your work setting? What population groups are you working with and what improvements are you noticing?

Welcome

The goal of this Blog is to provide a space for OT's to network around the topic of technology in networking, lifelong learning and OT practice and to share resources and ideas so that our profession may continue to grow and individuals, groups and communities continue to experience the benefits of OT.

Computer technology offers opportunities for advancement in occupational therapy knowledge and approaches by creating opportunity for:

• Online networking and professional communication;


• Life-long learning and evidence-based practice as research and information becomes better available; and


• OT practice advancement in technology using new treatment tools and approaches, continual improvement of assistive devices and development of online communities of support.