Well in linking to other OT blogs you get to see alot of cool videos made by other groups.
Here are the 5 i chose to link to
Janine's
Amazingly awesome Alice's
A cool blog with relevance to Sensory Processing Disorders
The OT Toolkit blog
And a cool blog on assistive technology
Theres some cool stuff on these and can be worth a look if you're interested
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Tutorial Eight and the end is in sight
Assistive technology generally refers to “broad range of devices, services, strategies, and practices that are conceived and applied to ameliorate the problems faced by individuals who have disabilities” (Cook & Hussey, 1995). So in real persons talk it pretty much includes everything used to help overcome challenges that people with disabilities have, or anything that makes it easier to do 'stuff'.
Well I was lucky enough to be in a different city when Dave came to speak about assistive technology. So I apparently missed out on a lot, especially considering all these other blogs have mentioned he happens to be an ex-model... Ah but that is life.
So instead of writing about the technology everyone else mentioned... Im going to link straight back to a wonderful thing i mentioned right at the beginning..... Word Q. This is a program that gets loaded onto your computer and makes typing easier. It predicts words from you typing in the first letter and means for people with reduced hand function they are able to work faster than they can unassisted. Success!
So, scroll down to my earlier posts and you will see all sorts of information (mostly just a video but it sounds better if I talk it up) about Word Q.
So instead of writing about the technology everyone else mentioned... Im going to link straight back to a wonderful thing i mentioned right at the beginning..... Word Q. This is a program that gets loaded onto your computer and makes typing easier. It predicts words from you typing in the first letter and means for people with reduced hand function they are able to work faster than they can unassisted. Success!
So, scroll down to my earlier posts and you will see all sorts of information (mostly just a video but it sounds better if I talk it up) about Word Q.
Enjoy
Cook, A., & Hussey, S. (1995). Assistive technologies: Principles and practice. St. Louis: Mosby.
Tute Six – Online communities and the interweb
So communities come in a number of different shapes and forms. From the people within the area you live, your classmates, your bowling club or other groups you may be involved in, each forms a community with people who have similar interests. Another form of communities are virtual or online. I get to tell you about three online communities of my choice that are relevant to either me or to OT.
My first placement brought me into contact with a thing called Sensory Processing Disorder so I'm going to introduce three communities that are concerned with SPD. SPD is a disorder where sensory information is not 'normal' examples include being highly sensitive to touch or taste, bright lights may cause children pain that leads to tantrums, others need to feel pressure on their joints to be calm. It's such a broad classification that i advise looking through these communities and having a read to better understand what it is really like.
1. Firstly let me introduce you to www.sensory-processing-disorder.com
This is a website devoted to being a resource center for all things related to SPD from signs and symptoms to picky eaters pretty much everything is covered. Including a section for parents, stories about SPD experiences, a Q & A section and is choc-a-block full of information. This site is interactive and anyone can ask a question and be given feedback from others. This site is primarily to give help to desperate parents.
Heres an example of some of the input from people and it shows the importance of communities such as this, it is a place where other people understand and wont just tell you you're imagining things.
"My son has been diagnosed with Sensory processing Disorder and people are asking if the reason why he is acting like this is maybe it because of having tubes put in his ear is this possible or is it really SPD?"
with a response saying
"..People are constantly suggesting other diagnosis's or telling me he will grow out of it.. or telling me "we don't know yet and we should wait until he is older". Other people jump in to say, "my son does that... or my daughter does that.. why are you so worried". No one seems to get it..."
Ethics and all that
Site management state that they use tracking to moniter the movements and activity of users for the sake of analysing trends and gathering demographic data. There is a lack of identity and accountability but the nature of the site is primarily for the parents and provides information for them. Parents are going there to find other things that might work for their children and abuse of the resources are not overly likely.
2. Just as with everything else that exists today there is a Sensory Processing Disorder group on facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=51964841184&v=wall
So, facebook is a very useable resource for members of the community in general to get together and discuss things. This group is providing a platform for parents to discuss and get new ideas and support for their children and how to deal with SPD. The group page is open to the public and it is conveniently located within facebook so for many people who do use facebook it is more conveniet than going to an external site for support. It's a world wide community with input from people from a range of cultures and backgrounds, offering more assistance than one could normally find in their local community. Members give input about everything including products that are useful or camps and retreats.
Here's an example of some of the member content
"Does anyone else's child clear their throat every minute or two? My son has been doing this for 3 days now and it is driving us all insane! He does it more when he is about to put food into his mouth"
"Yes, our daughter does (she has had to do since she was little). Constantly telling her to take a big cough. It got better once we put her on the GFCF diet. Just found out this week that she is allergic to soy, peanuts, and egg whites. So hoping it will get better soon. Hang in there.... it does drive people insane."
Ethical issues with facebook include the fact that your full name will be displayed to other people on facebook and information can be viewed by anyone with a facebook account. There could potentially be cases of people abusing the system however knowledge of SPD is not overly common so it is less likely to be stumbled upon by opportunists.
3. Last but not least is the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation website www.spdfoundation.net
The SPDF's purpose is expanding knowledge, fostering awareness and promoting recognition of Sensory Processing Disorder. The website encourages members to participate in research and members gain a 10% discount on training programs with the foundation. As with the first community i discussed the is plenty of information but the first one had far more detailed and usable information. Membership costs $50 but does provide some added extras for members. There are newsletters and libraries of resources for both the public and for members. Member participation is hidden in the member only section of the website so i'm not entirely sure of what they have to offer but the site does seem seem to be well put together and has lots of useful information.
The ethics surrounding this website are not overly compromising. you have to be a registered member to access member only areas and it protects member information
Tada, this should be the end of a long post. Thankyou for bearing with me!
Tute Five... Videos!
Its really quite difficult to 'provide a brief summary of the services offered by youtube'... It's a place were people of varying levels of talent go and upload videos and some of them end up famous or famously hated. With a few mouse clicks you can see Justin Bieber before he got famous and you can see why most of the world seems to hate someone called Rebecca Black. Asides from 'music' youtube has a wide range of videos from clips off tv shows to people voicing their opinions on current affairs, tutorials on how to do things which i have used including how to hula-hoop and what on earth the newton rhapson method was for my statistics exam. The world is at your fingertips thanks to the worldwide user contribution from youtube.
One topic that is fairly close to my heart is music. I've chosen five different videos that are significant to me.
The first one is a song called Cinderella
Steven Curtis Chapman wrote this about his little daughters because one night he felt God whisper to savour the time he had with them after a stressful bath time one night. A few months after this song was written his youngest daughter was tragically killed in a car accident involving an older sibling. I've listened to this so many times and have played and sung it on piano and guitar. One of the truly special songs in life that holds extra meaning and reminders.
For the sake of saving space the other four videos are listed as links.
Hillsong Chapel - You'll Come
One of the most memorable songs I've sung at church. Can lead to some rather emotional moments...
On a lighter note... The Lazy Song - Bruno Mars I think this kind of video is pretty amazing and has had me spending a few hours giggling and i have forced all of my flatmates to watch it. If you haven't watched it... trust me its amazing!!
This next one is a little treat "Star Wars" preformed by a choir... I saw a choir sing this at the Big sing in my final year at high school and it reminds me of a road trip with some awesome friends and a crazy teacher.
Finally a dedication to two of the reasons i may or may not be in love with Gerard Butler - I am aware i said five videos but this really warrants two. a scene from P.s. I love you singing Galway Girl, and another from Phantom of the opera, Music of the night. Lets just say I love a man that can sing and my brother banned me from ever renting phantom again as the first time i rented it it may have been played about six times...
My five (six) videos are all indicators of important times in my life and memorable moments.
One topic that is fairly close to my heart is music. I've chosen five different videos that are significant to me.
The first one is a song called Cinderella
For the sake of saving space the other four videos are listed as links.
Hillsong Chapel - You'll Come
One of the most memorable songs I've sung at church. Can lead to some rather emotional moments...
On a lighter note... The Lazy Song - Bruno Mars I think this kind of video is pretty amazing and has had me spending a few hours giggling and i have forced all of my flatmates to watch it. If you haven't watched it... trust me its amazing!!
This next one is a little treat "Star Wars" preformed by a choir... I saw a choir sing this at the Big sing in my final year at high school and it reminds me of a road trip with some awesome friends and a crazy teacher.
Finally a dedication to two of the reasons i may or may not be in love with Gerard Butler - I am aware i said five videos but this really warrants two. a scene from P.s. I love you singing Galway Girl, and another from Phantom of the opera, Music of the night. Lets just say I love a man that can sing and my brother banned me from ever renting phantom again as the first time i rented it it may have been played about six times...
My five (six) videos are all indicators of important times in my life and memorable moments.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
"Overcoming Adversity"
We got to have fun and create videos with the theme of overcoming adversity. Watch and i hope you enjoy it.
As my blogger setup is refusing to allow me to post the video here is a link to the video on a classmates blog AnniesBlog: Our film "Displaced People"
So now that you (may have) seen our masterpiece its time for me to apparently go in depth about the process of making it.
First we started by trying to figure out what exactly we could do with out assigned topic. We were advised/instructed to do a story board though we used a slightly different and crazier method of deciding what we wanted to happen and to some extent making it up as we went although our main plans and ideas remained the same. It was really cool working in a group and bouncing ideas of each other and figuring out how crazy we could get and if we could involve lecturers.
As my blogger setup is refusing to allow me to post the video here is a link to the video on a classmates blog AnniesBlog: Our film "Displaced People"
So now that you (may have) seen our masterpiece its time for me to apparently go in depth about the process of making it.
First we started by trying to figure out what exactly we could do with out assigned topic. We were advised/instructed to do a story board though we used a slightly different and crazier method of deciding what we wanted to happen and to some extent making it up as we went although our main plans and ideas remained the same. It was really cool working in a group and bouncing ideas of each other and figuring out how crazy we could get and if we could involve lecturers.
Digital Imaging? Whats with all these complicated words?
So another set of words being thrown around are 'Digital Imaging'. This includes the photos we put up on facebook to show the awesome things we've been doing, Videos of friends doing silly things, and as I have personally discovered medical imaging of fractures and really gross pictures of inside your stomach if you're lucky enough to have had an endoscopy...
I talked in an earlier post about hardware and software a little bit and some cool examples of software that come in handy are movie maker and photoshop - click the link for an example of what can be done with Imaging software. Digital imaging use skyrocketed after the christchurch earthquake with cellphone videos and images being streamed to the news. CAT scans X-rays and MRI's are all ways of using digital imaging systems to see things that are inside without surgery.
"A new technology is rarely superior to an old one in every feature"
With respect to digital cameras this is an interesting quote. Digital cameras are becoming more high tech, my brother recently spent a ridiculous amount on a very fancy camera that comes in its own yellow hardcover waterproof (and possibly bombproof) case so that he can take really good pictures. This is an addition to his waterproof camera that goes kayaking with him and his other camera that got passed on to his girlfriend. The new camera is apparently the modern day equivalent of Dad's old film camera that is sitting in the cupboard collecting dust. Perhaps technology is like money, when dad was a child 20c would buy enough lollies to satisfy a child for a week, however now that is more like $5-10. Just as inflation is taken into account when calculating comparisons for money, technological inflation is relevant to things such as cameras. Digital today means usable, film means sitting on the shelf. However as my brother just informed me "The highest quality digital images come from film cameras developed on slides then scanned onto a computer" so really these fancy digital cameras are not superior to the quality of film.
But what about ethics?
Well bold and italic heading that is a very good point, with the wide distribution of photos the issue of ethics arises. Putting photos of a 'social gathering' on facebook may be all very well but what happens when some of the people in the photos are uncomfortable with them being visible to friends family and co-workers? And what happens about ownership of photos because as i said in my previous post, once its posted you can't take it back.
Digital Imaging and Occupational Therapy
I had a cool experience on placement of making a flip chart for a lovely wee girl about how to make a sandwich. It was a step by step guide using pictures of her making the sandwich. The fact that it was pictures of her meant that it was a personal reminder and would be easier for her to follow and remember.
Digital Imaging and me!
A picture is worth a thousand words and looking through my old pictures allows me to re-live fond memories, and just because you are such a special reader I've put 5 pictures of my exploits at the very top of this from Japan and the NZ falcon reserve Wingspan. Enjoy.
I talked in an earlier post about hardware and software a little bit and some cool examples of software that come in handy are movie maker and photoshop - click the link for an example of what can be done with Imaging software. Digital imaging use skyrocketed after the christchurch earthquake with cellphone videos and images being streamed to the news. CAT scans X-rays and MRI's are all ways of using digital imaging systems to see things that are inside without surgery.
"A new technology is rarely superior to an old one in every feature"
With respect to digital cameras this is an interesting quote. Digital cameras are becoming more high tech, my brother recently spent a ridiculous amount on a very fancy camera that comes in its own yellow hardcover waterproof (and possibly bombproof) case so that he can take really good pictures. This is an addition to his waterproof camera that goes kayaking with him and his other camera that got passed on to his girlfriend. The new camera is apparently the modern day equivalent of Dad's old film camera that is sitting in the cupboard collecting dust. Perhaps technology is like money, when dad was a child 20c would buy enough lollies to satisfy a child for a week, however now that is more like $5-10. Just as inflation is taken into account when calculating comparisons for money, technological inflation is relevant to things such as cameras. Digital today means usable, film means sitting on the shelf. However as my brother just informed me "The highest quality digital images come from film cameras developed on slides then scanned onto a computer" so really these fancy digital cameras are not superior to the quality of film.
But what about ethics?
Well bold and italic heading that is a very good point, with the wide distribution of photos the issue of ethics arises. Putting photos of a 'social gathering' on facebook may be all very well but what happens when some of the people in the photos are uncomfortable with them being visible to friends family and co-workers? And what happens about ownership of photos because as i said in my previous post, once its posted you can't take it back.
Digital Imaging and Occupational Therapy
I had a cool experience on placement of making a flip chart for a lovely wee girl about how to make a sandwich. It was a step by step guide using pictures of her making the sandwich. The fact that it was pictures of her meant that it was a personal reminder and would be easier for her to follow and remember.
Digital Imaging and me!
A picture is worth a thousand words and looking through my old pictures allows me to re-live fond memories, and just because you are such a special reader I've put 5 pictures of my exploits at the very top of this from Japan and the NZ falcon reserve Wingspan. Enjoy.
Friday, April 8, 2011
All this Technological Jargon
I.T?
Believe it o not technology is slowly overtaking our lives, typewriters have been phased out and Microsoft word has become the rule. A really cool definition of Information Technology comes from a website called www.if4it.com describing it as "technology used for the study, understanding, planning, design, construction, testing, distribution, support and operations of software, computers and computer related systems that exist for the purpose of Data, Information and Knowledge processing." so pretty much everything to do with computers that involves information, data and learning. So why am I going on about IT? because until someone weird like me starts ranting about it you don't realise that most of your life has been consumed by IT. All of the work you do is usually recorded on a hard drive or database of some sort, I know that when I'm either flatting or at home there is one computer per person, I have an Ipod, and external hard drive and a 4gb memory stick to compliment my laptop which can communicate with both my camera and cell phone with a simple cable.
IT and me
Dad is always surprised at how easily the younger generation picks up new technologies, I think this is because we aren't afraid to pick something up and see what happens when we push the big red button, and if you cant solve it "google it". Hence why I'm not really daunted by any new programs or devices that are put in front of me, though if I was dealing with a new program and had no access to google for help I dare say I might be in a little trouble.
OT and IT
Ok that heading is mostly there because it looks cool, but as a second year Occupational Therapy (OT) student I am becoming more and more aware of how IT can be used therapeutically. On my first placement I was working mostly with children with Cerebral Palsy (Click the link if you aren't familiar with CP). Some of these children didn't have much delicate movement of their hands so many of them were using laptops with programs like WordQ that predicts the word as you type so that less keys have to be pushed.
Hopefully you can see at least a potential benefit of technologies like these for people with difficulty typing. Other interesting programs allow you to speak into a microphone and it types on the screen, very useful for a paraplegic friend of mine with minimal use of his hands. This is all very well to write about but its the practical use that is important. Programs like this could mean the difference between paid employment and being on the benefit, or independence and relying on a scribe.
Ethics and IT
All this technology is wonderful, you can read anything, write anything and go crazy. However the thing with the internet is that once it's out there you can't get it back. Once it is posted you can delete something but you have no way of knowing if anyone has copied it. Just as when you say something you cant retract it the same happens with txt, e-mail, or facebook. Intellectual property as defined by iponz.govt.nz "is an umbrella term used for human innovations and creativity that are capable of being protected under national law and international treaties. IP includes a diverse range of commercial assets from patents for new inventions through to copyright protected artworks" so it's all of the things that people make and the copyrights covering them. Wisegeek describe Social Justice as a desire for equal justice for everyone in society, not just in a court room of course the link goes into far more depth than how I've described it. Another key term is Informed Consent and I've gone to yet another Wisegeek page, informed consent is generally thought of in reference to medical procedures where it is important for people to be fully informed of everything that is going on.
Hope you've learnt a little. Enjoy
Believe it o not technology is slowly overtaking our lives, typewriters have been phased out and Microsoft word has become the rule. A really cool definition of Information Technology comes from a website called www.if4it.com describing it as "technology used for the study, understanding, planning, design, construction, testing, distribution, support and operations of software, computers and computer related systems that exist for the purpose of Data, Information and Knowledge processing." so pretty much everything to do with computers that involves information, data and learning. So why am I going on about IT? because until someone weird like me starts ranting about it you don't realise that most of your life has been consumed by IT. All of the work you do is usually recorded on a hard drive or database of some sort, I know that when I'm either flatting or at home there is one computer per person, I have an Ipod, and external hard drive and a 4gb memory stick to compliment my laptop which can communicate with both my camera and cell phone with a simple cable.
IT and me
Dad is always surprised at how easily the younger generation picks up new technologies, I think this is because we aren't afraid to pick something up and see what happens when we push the big red button, and if you cant solve it "google it". Hence why I'm not really daunted by any new programs or devices that are put in front of me, though if I was dealing with a new program and had no access to google for help I dare say I might be in a little trouble.
OT and IT
Ok that heading is mostly there because it looks cool, but as a second year Occupational Therapy (OT) student I am becoming more and more aware of how IT can be used therapeutically. On my first placement I was working mostly with children with Cerebral Palsy (Click the link if you aren't familiar with CP). Some of these children didn't have much delicate movement of their hands so many of them were using laptops with programs like WordQ that predicts the word as you type so that less keys have to be pushed.
Hopefully you can see at least a potential benefit of technologies like these for people with difficulty typing. Other interesting programs allow you to speak into a microphone and it types on the screen, very useful for a paraplegic friend of mine with minimal use of his hands. This is all very well to write about but its the practical use that is important. Programs like this could mean the difference between paid employment and being on the benefit, or independence and relying on a scribe.
Ethics and IT
All this technology is wonderful, you can read anything, write anything and go crazy. However the thing with the internet is that once it's out there you can't get it back. Once it is posted you can delete something but you have no way of knowing if anyone has copied it. Just as when you say something you cant retract it the same happens with txt, e-mail, or facebook. Intellectual property as defined by iponz.govt.nz "is an umbrella term used for human innovations and creativity that are capable of being protected under national law and international treaties. IP includes a diverse range of commercial assets from patents for new inventions through to copyright protected artworks" so it's all of the things that people make and the copyrights covering them. Wisegeek describe Social Justice as a desire for equal justice for everyone in society, not just in a court room of course the link goes into far more depth than how I've described it. Another key term is Informed Consent and I've gone to yet another Wisegeek page, informed consent is generally thought of in reference to medical procedures where it is important for people to be fully informed of everything that is going on.
Hope you've learnt a little. Enjoy
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