VirtualOT

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Australia
I am an Australian occupational therapist, educator and researcher. I have worked as an OT in mental health, vocational rehabilitation and a private surgical hospital. I am passionate using online technology to enhance the knowledge and growth of the occupational therapy profession. In my PhD research I am looking at the role of online technologies in information management and knowledge transfer in occupational therapy. Views expressed and stories shared on this blog are my opinion and do not represent views of my employer or professional registration body.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Earth Hour 2009

Here's how we spent Earth Hour 2009: A snow picnic in our backyard! It was so peaceful.



What did you do for Earth Hour?

Web 2.0 and computer technology in mainstream OT practice

I am delighted that this coming year 6 MScOT students have elected to undertake systematic reviews of the literature looking specifically at the use of technology in OT practice. We're ironing out their specific topics right now.

Two students will look at mainstream computer technologies in OT practice and three will look at the therapeutic benefits of engaging in the online world and will specifically look at one population each (e.g.: people with cancer, people with ABI and carers) the final student is still thinking.

The projects are a "capping project" for the MScOT students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate a fundamental skill for practice and research... the ability to ask meaningful questions, seek up to date and relevant literature, critically appraise the literature and then synthesize this in a meaningful way to translate it for practice.

Reading the wonderful blog "Gosh That's Neat" I came across another wonderful blog called WiiHab - Rehabilitative Therapy. I'll have to get these students to take a look!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Retrofitting the Education Space: Should we even consider "Teaching With Twitter"?

http://technots.blogspot.com/2009/03/is-twitter-taking-it-too-far.html

Is twitter taking social networking too far?

My reluctance to Twitter is illustrated in this YouTube video...


So fellow bloggers... where do you see Twitter fitting?

Enabled by Design

Tonight while finding more people to follow on Twitter I discovered Enabled by Design. Here's what they say about themselves on their website! I'll have to share this with my students! :-0
It's all about people powered products: Enabled by Design is a community of people passionate about well designed everyday products. By sharing their loves, hates and ideas, Enabled by Designers challenge the one size fits all approach to assistive equipment through the use of clever modern design.

To Tweet or not to Tweet... what is the answer?

After reading the article suggested by Joan I found this fascinating quote within the article:



Every blogger, no matter how ambitious or dedicated to his or her blog - wants a community around it. Easier said than done of course. To build a community you have to get people engaged around the premise of your content and then make it as easy for them to interact as possible. Both with you and each other.ShoutEm, Mar 2009



You should read the whole article.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Earth Hour 2009

I may be a technology addict but I am also deeply concerned about global climate change. The recent horrific bushfires in Victoria Australia are an example of what we will all face in the future if we don't all help. Please watch this video and PLEASE participate!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Tech gurus use power of Web to help veterans

Story Highlights
  • Silicon Valley professionals start Web site to connect donors with troops in need
  • Founder models site on Craigslist and Kiva.org, so people can decide who to help
  • Veterans and active-duty troops can list their stories, photos and specific requests
  • "I am so grateful that there are people who were willing to help me," soldier says

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Companies turn to Web 2.0 to recruit for trials

"Fierce Biotech" reports
Patient recruitment companies are reinventing the patient-to-trial matchmaking service of yesteryear with a new approach that meets prospects where they are increasingly spending their time--on social networking sites.
Not only are companies creating web applications for such popular sites as Myspace and Facebook, but the companies running these sites have also begun exploring the idea of creating business plans around clinical trial recruitment, Matthew Holt, founder and author of The Health Care Blog, tells Bio-IT World.

Visit this link to read the whole story! It's just too obvious isn't it?!

My slideshare uploads