Technical Description 8

Tutorial Eight: Assistive technology

Provide a definition of Assistive technology (your Cook and Hussey reading may be helpful with this). Assistive Technology is basically a technological way of reducing the limiting functions of disabilities. Cook & Hussey (1999) describe it as 'a broad range of devices, services, strategies, and practices that are conceived and applied to ameliorate the problems faced by individuals who have disabilities'. The only real measure of success when using assistive technology is observation of the functional outcomes, so assistive technology looks at what the individual can do, in any capacity. Public law defines assistive technology as 'any item, piece of equipment or product system whether acquired commericially off the shelf, modified, or customised that is used to increase or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities'. As well as this they state it is 'any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection acquisition or use of an assistive technology device'.

Describe one piece of equipment introduced in the assistive technology tutorial. Provide information on size, cost and functions. The fibre-optic eye blink switch is a device which allows those with the ability to blink with no other viable means of which to communicate. It detects purposeful eye blinks and can discrimiate between these and random blinks. It attaches to the head with a strap, and a tiny sensor sits in front of the eyelid. It attaches to Fibre-Optic Eye-Blink Power Control Module (PCM-2) and can only be used with this, which is included when the switch is purchased. Dimensions: 1.9cm (3/4") L x 0.6cm (1/4") Diameter. Sensing range: 0.6cm (1/4"). It is appropriate for use with all ages, and is 'designed to foster development in switch use and environmental control' (www.spectronics.co.nz). The fibre-optic eye blink switch is priced at $1201.50, with $133.50 included as gst. The headstrap can also be purchased by itself for $106.88.

How does your chosen piece of equipment increased functional capacity for the user? Provide examples here from the tutorial and lecture. This peice of equipment allows the user to- communicate to have autonomy/right of choice to have some environmental control ability to interact expression of personality For example a child who wishes to do certain things but does not have the means, regarding a young boy who wanted to be dj at a disco. Through the use of switches he was able to practice controlling the music at a disco, and in effect, providing him with an outlet to engage and participate in an activity which he otherwise would not have had the functional ability to do.

Technical Description 7

Tutorial Seven: Posting You Tube Videos and Flickr Badges to Blogs: Explaining the process

Task One: Explain the step by step process required to embed You Tube videos into your Blog . Consider using screen captures to provide a visual representation of these steps. 1. Click on 'New Post' on the right hand side of your blog, at the top 2. Open a new tab under the 'file' toolbar in the top left hand corner of the computer screen, and type in www.youtube.com in the search bar 3. Search within youtube and when you have opened your chosen video, find on the right hand side of the page, and text box titled 'embed'. 4. Highlight the writing which is in the text box and click copy, from the file toolbar at the top 5. Return to you new post on your blog, and putting the cursor in the big box of the post, click 'paste' as shown below. 6. In the text box titled 'title' above the main white posting box, type in the title of the post with the youtube video, and then click 'save now' at the bottom of your posting, the blue box.

Task Two: Explain the step by step process required to embed a Flickr Badge into your Blog . Consider using screen captures to provide a visual representation of these steps. 1. Go to 'customise' on the right hand side of your blog, at the top 2. Click on 'add page element' 3. Click on HTML/Javascript - the blue box saying 'add to blog' 4. Go to www.flickr.com 5. You will now need to follow the steps to create a yahoo account, if you do not have one, but this is very self explanatory, and easy to follow the steps through. Otherwise log in with your current yahoo account. 6. You will then be asked to create an account with flicker, so follow those easy steps through 7. You will then be presented with a page with a link you can click on which says 'upload your first photo to flickr'. Click on this 8. We want to embed just the badge on to your blog, so scroll down to the small blue writing at the bottom of the current screen 9. Click on build a badge, which is highlighted in blue on the right hand side 10. Follow the steps through, choosing the look of your badge, choosing the content, by clicking on for instance, 'everyone's, and then by writing in a tag, of photos you would like, for instance 'Dunedin'. Follow through and get colours, and then click on the blue 'next' box which says 'preview and get code'. 11.Copy the writing in the 'this is the code you need' box, and return to the box that popped up when you clicked on HTML/Javascript, and 'add to your blog'. Paste the selected and copied information into the box that is titled 'content. Type in a title, for instance 'Dunedin student photos'. 12. Click on 'save changes'. Go to view blog, and your flickr photo badge will be in place on the right hand side of your blog

Technical Description Four and Five

Tutorial Four and Five: Video Production Sessions

Task One: Follow instructions and work in a small group to plan and produce and edit a 30 second short.

Task Two: Set up a U Tube account

Task Three: Follow instructions to posting your video on U Tube.

Task Four (Blog Posting): Provide a brief summary of the services offered by U Tube. Information can be drawn from the week five tutorial hand out. A community that allows video's to be posted for the world to see. You can watch video's, share video's, and join certain groups . An account can be created to store favourite video's. You can use the 'toolbox' which is a service helping those who want to advance their movie-making abilities.

Task Five (Blog Posting): Provide a brief account (1-2 paragraphs) on how the use of planning (storyboarding and scripting aided your groups short film. We began by deciding exactly how many clips we would have to comprise our short film, and then put these on to a story board. For eight clips on the story board we wrote a brief statement of what the clip was going to be of, and where. We then also draw a small, rough picture of the the shot so we could have a picture in our heads of how we were going to direct the shot.

Home Mods- Before and After

Awesome OT Video!

Technical Description Six

Tutorial Six: The internet and online communities

Either search online for a community which interest you or choose one of the provided online communities to investigate. Make sure your selected a community that comprises some form of online forum, discussion page or chat room. You may also wish to see if your community has a Wikipedia entry.

Provide the web address and the name of the community you are investigating www.bookcrossing.com Book Crossing

What is the brief or focus of this community A place people all over the world to share their love of books. Books are passed between people via the 'dropping' of books at certain places out in the community - gym, coffee shop etc. Specific 'dropping' zones can be created to aid this. Those signed up to book crossing and are able to participate in the experience of reading and passing on books that are registered. For 'those who love books and those who love sharing'.

What services are provided? How interactive is this site? How can people contribute? On-line discussion forums, email discussion groups, option to create a 'book crossing zone', search for books, register books, publishing tools for authors

Consider material presented during the lecture and make comment on why people choose to contribute to this community. What is it they are seeking? Those who have a passion for books can experience a form of social interaction within a context they are specifically interested in, they can form friends with the same interests, and it provides anticipated reciprocity for these people wanting to have an occupation for them to interact within. It gives a sense of community and efficacy, a sense of involvement and participation in a form of society, and is a source from which to learn and have access to books and discussion.

Cut and paste an example of the type of topics being discussed (you may have to provide a context to your excerpt). Looking for info on "Mr. Darcy" books... I'd like to get one of these books for a friend who's a big fan of Jane Austen. She's read all of Austen's books and I think she'd enjoy reading some of the "continuing" books. I haven't read any of them and know nothing about them, so I'm asking for your help! On Amazon I see several authors and what looks like several series of books- which one(s) would you recommend and why? How important is it that she read them in order? I will be mailing overseas so size of the book is a consideration, though it's not terribly important. Thank you!

Considering material presented during the course and make comment on the potential ethical issues that may arise in this community e.g. lack of identity and accountability. The 'on-line' identity means that people can never be sure of who they are interacting with, or have the ability to trust others completely. Validity in general of any information being shared is an issue. Misuse of the service is easy, and there may be no way of 'policing' behaviour. Who sustains and manages the community can be, in itself, an ethical issue. Confidentiality or privacy issues, due to need to relay personal details on occasions

Consider material presented during the lecture and make comment on the benefits this community holds over traditional notions of community e.g. communities reliant on geographic proximity Because there is a greater array of members eg. all over the world, the community contains a vast amount of info, input etc. Can 'meet' more often, regularly, with ease, instantly in fact as well as being able to address a lot of people at the same time. It is easy to connect with people of similar interests, needs, and concerns, which in turn fosters understanding and unity. It is a free service, generally, and one can involve themselves to whatever extent they want, when they want. When they do, it then allows for equality of voice and persona.

Consider material presented during the lecture and make comment what this community lacks or can not provide which traditional communities can. Not everybody has access or knowledge to use technology, therefore those without this ability are unable to be involved in this community. Technology compatibility also poses a problem, and involvement in traditional communities would not suffer the consequences of this problem. Involvement has the potential to create for the users a delusional reliance on the ideal of 'virtual communities', with the lack of direct social interaction which characterises it.

Technical Description One

Tutorial One: Information Technology and Ethical Issues

Provide a definition of Information Technology/Information Communications Technology (APA reference required) -concerned with the use of technology in managing and processing information, especially in large organizations Retrieved March 12, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/information_technology

It has become very common-place -used largely for socialising - online blogs, chatting, virtual networks -used for information gathering - less desire to go to library and look in books for information when it is all on the internet -used for organisation of businessess - less paper work, more storage -communication, via emails -general - computers,

What IT devices or system do you feel comfortable and competent using? computers to an extent/internet digital cameras cellphones mp3 players dvd players All only to some extent!

Thinking about your own fieldwork experiences consider how IT is being used in Occupational Therapy practice? to gain quick information about products, equipment etc to store information and notes communication i.e cellphones, emails between other wards, colleagues, services eg teleconferencing

What ethical implications arise from the capturing, sharing and transferring of information via IT devices (e.g. mobile phones) or systems (e.g. internet) - confidentiality -informed consent -technology dangers eg viruses

Provide a definition of Computer Ethics (APA reference required) A branch of practical philosophy which deals with how computing professionals should make decisions regarding professional and social conduct. Retrieved 12 March, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_ethics

Provide a definition of Intellectual Property (APA reference required) -an umbrella term for various legal entitlements which attach to certain types of information, ideas, or other intangibles in their expressed form. The holder of this legal entitlement is generally entitled to exercise various exclusive rights in relation to the subject matter of the IP. The term intellectual property reflects the idea that this subject matter is the product of the mind or the intellect, and that IP rights may be protected at law in the same way as any other form of property. However, the use of the term and the concepts it is said to embody are the subject of some controversy Retrieved March 12, 2008, http://en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_Property

Provide a definition of Social Justice (APA reference required) -an ideal of society where "justice" refers to economic status rather than to the administration of laws. It is based on the idea of a society which gives individuals and groups fair treatment and a just share of the benefits of society, although what is "fair treament" and a "just share" must remain unclear or subject to interpretation. Retrieved 12 March, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice

Provide a definition of Informed Consent (APA reference required) - a legal condition whereby a person can be said to have given consent based upon an appreciation and understanding of the facts and implications of an action Retrieved 12 March 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informed_consent

In your own words briefly summarise why (or why not) a great understanding of ITC and the ethical issues it encompasses will help us in our practice and daily lives. Because ITC is a growing and growing fast, if we have an understanding of this and the pro's and con's, we can utilise the pro's and use technology to our advantage, in both practice and daily lives. Use of information technology can speed up processes, it can enable use to portray and share information more easily and more clearly, if used appropriately, and it can provide a medium for which to communicate more effectively and efficiently. Having a great understandin of the technicalities and practicalities, as well as the ethical issues encompassing the concept is of increased importance however, as with development of ITC, with it comes complications, much larger requirement for knowledge, and a greater opportunity for mishaps and mistakes, which ultimately could make life harder, or compromise practice as an OT.