SUMMING IT ALL UP...

Peer review:


1. Jo O'Neill
Hey Jo,

Your artwork is amazing! It looks like you put so much time and effort into them..man I wish  could draw like that! The picture of the shoe is my favourite. It would be cool and interesting to be able see the process you go through to get these end pictures. Keep it up :)

2. Emma Steer

Em,

I loved reading about your partying and nights out..sounds like you have some great adventures! Your blog is very easy to read and leaves me wanting to hear more about your partying. One thing I feel could make this even better would a couple of pictures or photos so we could get the whole scene. Have fun on your future partying :)

3. Jess Cooper

Jess,

I enjoyed reading about your cooking adventures throughout your blog. I especially liked this one because you still gave it another go after not getting it quite right the first time. I love chocolate cake and maybe a recipe could have been put on here for the one you made in the end..so that the rest of us could try it out :)

4. Janine Dowling

Hi Janine,

When reading your blog it made me think about all the times I've done the dishes, and how at the time I used to hate it, but really, when you look back on it, there were plenty of fun times involved. I never really thought about all of the ins and outs of washing up like this before. It could be good to just have a few more stories throughout the blog so we could see more of your washing up fun :)

Reference List:


All of the following references really helped me to understand the activity of cooking a lot better, as they gave clearer understanding of the activity itself, what other people thought of cooking and how others like to cook and why we need it. I found that these references contributed to my blog because they put in other peoples' ideas and opinions on cooking.


Caulton, R., & Dickson, R. (2007). What's going on? Finding an explanation for what we do. In J. Creek, & A. Lawson-Porter, Contemporary issues in occupational therapy. (pp. 87-114). Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


James Sunderland, Occupational Therapy lecture notes, de Lore 2000. Received 9th October 2011

Lawson, N. (2004). Feast:Food that celebrates life. London: Chatto & Windus.(this quote was also presented in BT127001 lecture notes)


Visser M. (1986). Much depends on dinner. New York: Grove Press

Visser M. (1992). The rituals of dinner. London: Viking, The Penguin Group

AMBIENCE

Ambience is the atmosphere of a place and the surrounding environment. It is what the activity means to me, how it makes me feel and what it reminds me of. The ambience of cooking can change a lot depending on where you are and what you're cooking for. If there are a lot of people in the kitchen, there can be a large, loud ambience with laughter, gossip, memories and fun. However, if you are cooking for yourself or without anyone around, then there can be a more chilled, relaxed and quiet ambience around the kitchen.

When I was little we would gather for big occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas. Our family is very close and these times were celebrated altogether with our extended family and food. Each time we got together it would be at a different persons’ house. For example, for Christmas each year it would move around each of the Aunties houses, so every third year it would be at our house. This was always exciting as it meant going somewhere different and the atmosphere would be always be loud and exciting, but just changing up the environment would make it that little bit different and unique each year. I always love the ambience at these types of celebrations with my family, because when we all sit down to eat all the delicious food that everyone has prepared together, you look down the table and see everyone chatting away and laughing - Granddad sitting at the head of the table, with Nanny to his right, then all the other parents at one end of the table, and the younger ones at the other end. These celebrations are always something to look forward to and they are something that we will all remember and hopefully a tradition to carry out when we all have kids.

When I am cooking by myself, I find it is a time for me to feel relaxed and do whatever I want in the kitchen. It allows me to get away from the world and anything that I am thinking about – which is a lot different to the ambience of the celebrations I explained above. However, different situations, different environments and different people create a different ambience. 

Bacon and Egg Pie

Last night we needed a quick and simple meal to eat before we headed out to watch the World Cup Rugby Final. In the freezer I found some pastry that we had slightly forgotten about, some bacon and as always we had plenty of eggs in the fridge. Perfect time for a good old bacon and egg pie! I never actually used to like bacon and egg pie – even though my Mum apparently used to make the most amazing one  - until last year when  was in Salmond College and pretty much had to eat everything and anything that I was given if I wanted to survive. Now I find it is a very easy meal to make and also a great one to indulge in.

So basically, bacon and egg is very simple. You just lay out the pastry in the tin, lay out half of the bacon on top of the pastry, crack the eggs into the tin, season with salt and pepper, lay out the rest of the bacon on top and then put the lid of pastry on. Then if I’m feeling creative I sometimes decorate the lid of the pastry with little designs (but I didn’t have time for this last night) and then egg glaze the top then chuck it in the oven for 45 minutes. It is a very very simple meal and it could nicely cook away as we got ready to go out.

45 minutes later, we are all dressed in our black and white – face paint and all – and ready for something to get in our stomachs. As we were getting ready we could smell the pie cooking and definitely felt like some food by now. I got the perfectly golden brown pie out of the oven and within about five minutes it was completely demolished. Now that’s a success if you ask me!

THE NEED FOR COOKING

“Food is ‘everyday’‐it has to be, or we would not survive for long.  But food is never just something to eat.  It is something to find or hunt or cultivate first of all; for most of human history we have spent a much longer portion of our lives worrying about food, and plotting, working, and fighting to obtain it, than we have in any other pursuit. As soon as we can count on a food supply (and so take food for granted), and not a moment sooner, we start to civilise ourselves.  Civilisation entails shaping, regulating, constraining and dramatising ourselves; we echo the preferences and the principles of our culture in the way we treat our food.”

- Visser, 1986, p.12

The need for cooking is seen as an occupation of labour. The need for cooking is essential in ones’ everyday life. Food and the cooking of it, is needed in order to survive. Without cooking we would not have the energy in order to carry out other activities throughout the day. Without cooking we would not give our body the nutrients that it needs in order to function and stay alive.

Cooking is also seen as labour when some uses it as a need for survival in the sense of making a living. People who make money from their cooking use this in order to survive and to be able to stay financially stable. Now, these people are much better cooks than I, as I don’t think anyone would really pay to eat my cooking, therefore I do not use it to make a living; but do use it to survive!

There is also the need for cooking to get away from everything. To have time to myself and take my mind off everything. I find I need cooking as it is a time where I can get away from everyone and be in my own little world, able to think about whatever I want and not have to talk to anyone else if I don’t want to. It is a good time to clear my head and think things through if I need to.

But finally, the need to have something warm and delicious in your stomach is a definite need in life. To taste something amazing and to be able to enjoy someone else’s cooking is always needed for satisfaction and enjoyment.

Visser M. (1986). Much depends on dinner. New York: Grove Press

Chicken and Mushroom Risotto Recipe

This was the chicken and mushroom risotto recipe that I cooked up this week for dinner...

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter

·         2 1/2 cups fresh mushrooms sliced

·         1 -2 piece skinless chicken breast (cut into 1/2 inch pieces, if you have a large piece, then 1 piece will be sufficient)

·         5 1/2 cups chicken stock (heated)

·         1 1/2 cups arborio rice

·         1/2 cup dry white wine

·         1 large chopped onion

·         4 garlic cloves, crushed

·         1 cup of grated parmesan cheese

·         1/4 cup cream (optional)

·         2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley

·         oil

·         salt & pepper

Directions:

1. In a large pot heat oil and add mushrooms and chicken and cook through until cooked. Remove from pot.

2. Using the same pot, add butter and saute onions and garlic in butter and leftover oil mixture until translucent. Add the rice and stir until the rice turns opaque - about two minutes.

3. Add the wine, salt and pepper to the rice and stir frequently until the wine has been absorbed into the rice.

4. Add 1/2 cup of the heated chicken stock and stir frequently until absorbed. The rice and broth should bubble gently.

5. Continue to cook the rice, adding chicken stock 1/2 cup at a time and allowing the rice to absorb it before adding the next 1/2 cup.

6. Cook rice this way until tender which should take about 25-30 minutes.

7. Just before the last batch of stock has been absorbed into the rice, add the chicken and mushroom mixture back into the pot. Stir through.

8. Add 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese, the parsley and the cream and stir through.

9. Remove from heat when all the remaining stock has been absorbed and the risotto mix is a thick creamy consistency.

10. Serve immediately. The remaining parmesan can be added to each serve if requested.

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/chicken-mushroom-risotto-192083#ixzz1bNM2DApA

AFFORDANCES CONTINUED...

This week on the menu: Lasagne! Probably one of my favourite meals in the world would have to be Mum’s lasagne. This is a must-have whenever I go home for the holidays, and so I couldn't do this blog without including a meal with lasagne. Mother kindly donated her lasagne recipe to me – along with many others - when I moved down to Dunedin. So all the ingredients were brought at the supermarket on Monday, ready for me to make the lasagne last night (Wednesday). Our kitchen is attached to our lounge, therefore when we are cooking, it is quite good as we can watch TV and talk as well. So as I started preparing the lasagne, home and away starts on TV – perfect; my favourite show. I get started on mum’s recipe – mixing and cooking the mince, which already starts to smell amazing and make me hungry. Then come the tomato and the cheese sauces, the lasagne sheets and the layering of these three ingredients. After about five minutes in the oven it already smells amazing, making us all ten times hungrier as we try to sit and watch the news, waiting desperately for some food.

“We turn the consumption of food, a biological necessity, into a carefully cultured phenomenon.   We use eating as a medium for social relationships:  satisfaction of the most individual of needs becomes the means of creating community.”

- Visser, 1992, p. ix

Aesthetics: Cooking can be seen as an art, as it is combining ingredients and processing these in order to make a final product. Although, it is not the same as other arts such as dancing and painting, it is something that is made and many people see the beauty in it. The alluring smells that come from cooking is aesthetic in itself, and then the presentation on the plate (not generally in my cooking) can also create a masterpiece. The beauty of eating the meal is real winner in the end though!

Spirituality: Food is something that always brings our family together. Cooking for us is a time to gossip, socialise, have fun and catch up. Cooking for some people can be a very spiritual thing, like a traditional meal, such as a Hangi for the Maori. Birthdays, anniversaries and any event – good or bad – are celebrated with food somehow. For example, when it is my birthday, I get to chose exactly what I want from the beginning of the meal to the desert. It is a way food is used to commemorate a special day.

History: The history of cooking goes a long, long, long way back. Obviously I’ve been surrounded by cooking since I was born, as everyone needs food to survive. My mother was the main cook in my household since I can remember and then we children and Dad did the washing up. Mum learnt most of her cooking off her mother, and she learnt off her mother and so on. Everyone loves Nanny’s cooking, it just always tastes so much better than if anyone else tries to make the same meal; and the same goes with mum’s cooking too. The recipes get passed down throughout the family and everyone puts their own twist on their cooking. No-one else can ever do someone else’s recipe as well as the original cook though.

Visser M. (1992). The rituals of dinner. London: Viking, The Penguin Group

AFFORDANCES

My  time came around again last night for cooking dinner, so we decided to have home-made hamburgers and wedges since it was such lovely sunny weather outside. We had mince in the freezer, so earlier that day I had got this out and it was all ready and defrosted by the time I got home. I took out the recipe book and made the meat-patty recipe that mum had sent me down to Dunedin with. After getting all messy and having sticky hands from the patty-making, these went in the oven to cook. After peeling many potatoes, these got cut into wedges and tossed around with some oil, flour, chicken salt and several other seasonings. In the oven they go. Next came the easy part, slicing the cheese, cutting the tomatoes, washing the lettuce, grating the carrot, cutting up the capsicum and getting the buns ready. These are all put into their separate bowls ready for everyone to make their own burgers. After half an hour or so, everything is cooked, put on plates and ready to go. “Dinners ready” – and the flat mates come running into the kitchen, make their burgers and head back outside to enjoy the last minutes of the warm night.

“Cooking has many functions, and only one of them is about feeding people.  When we go into a kitchen, indeed when we even just think about going into a kitchen, we are both creating and responding to an idea we hold about ourselves, about what kind of person we are or wish to be. How we eat and what we eat lies at the heart of who we are – as

individuals, families, communities.”

- Nigella Lawson, (2004). P.vi

Communication properties: there are many different aspects of communication surrounding the activity of cooking. There is the communication when learning to cook, such as a friend or family member telling you how to do something; as well as written communication such as writing out and reading recipes. With many meals in our flat, we also have to communicate to figure out what people want and what people don’t like, in order to try and suit everyone. Cooking also encourages communication when sitting around to eat, and like at our flat, we sit down to eat dinner and talk about what we have done that day.

Moral properties: the good and the bad aspects of cooking. Firstly, a positive moral aspect is that cooking brings people together and generally encourages teamwork and socialising. Cooking is great as it provides energy to do many other things within the day and also just makes me very happy to have something yummy in my stomach. A bad aspect of cooking is that it can sometimes lead to fights in our flat as to what people want for dinner and what they like. It can also take a lot of time and if you cook and eat too much, it can end very badly!

Action properties: Cooking provides a connection with many other activities. Before the cooking begins, there is the supermarket shopping – which we do as a flat, and quite often this provides us some entertainment around the supermarket. Then there is the consumption of the food which has just been cooked which sometimes includes the odd beverage and some social times. However, there is also the washing up to do once all the fun parts are finished.

Lawson, N. (2004). Feast:Food that celebrates life. London: Chatto & Windus.(this quote was also presented in BT127001 lecture notes)

ERGONOMICS

This week in class we have been speaking about Ergonomics. Ergonomics is taking into account the environment, person and occupation and how each of these aspects interlink and work together in order for the activity to be successful.  As an Occupational Therapist it is our job to “constantly make slight invisible adjustments to an activity to adapt to the needs of those taking part and ensure that it continues to work for its intended purpose” (Caulton and Dickson 2007).

Last night it was my turn to make dinner in the flat, so I decided to make a beef noodle stir-fry. The person aspect surrounding ergonomics involves factors such as the cultural and spiritual and many more. I am 20 years old and have been watching my mother cook for many years. One of my favourite meals is a yummy simple stir-fry. Therefore when I was old enough/becoming independent/moving out this would be one of my favourite and easiest meals to prepare. I have made this meal many times now, but feel that I become more competent each time, trying something a little bit different and new.

The occupational aspect of ergonomics includes anything to do with the activity; factors such as adaption of the activity, pacing, costs, etc. When looking at making a stir-fry, it can be made several slightly different ways; such as some preferring to make it in pans over the stove, or in an electric wok; mixing the vegetables and meat altogether or having them separate. Since moving into the flat, we adapt the ways in which we make meals in order to suit everyone in the flat. Stir-fry’s are generally a reasonably cheap meal as all you need is meat, vegetables, noodles and a few sauces. It is a good meal for poor flatting students! A beef noodle stir-fry does not take long to prepare or cook, generally it only takes me about 30mins to cut everything up and cook them.

 Factors such as accessibility and political issues are included in the environmental aspect of ergonomics. Since moving into a flat, it means the kitchen is a lot different to my kitchen at home. This means that I had to get used to new equipment and a new layout of the environment. Mum’s kitchen was always perfectly tidy and everything was always in the same place. Whereas with the flat kitchen, since all five of us cook each week, things get moved around and it tends to get messy quite easily. However, since I have now been in this flat for eight months, I have definitely got used to it and am comfortable working in the environment.

"In any home, the kitchen is often the place where friends and family congregate.  Sure, it’s where the food and the drink are, but kitchens are seldom just refuelling stations. Conversations, gossip humour and ideas flow freely in the relaxed atmosphere of the kitchen."

- de Lore, 2000

Caulton, R., & Dickson, R. (2007). What's going on? Finding an explanation for what we do. In J. Creek, & A. Lawson-Porter, Contemporary issues in occupational therapy. (pp. 87-114). Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

James Sunderland, Occupational Therapy lecture notes, de Lore 2000. Received 20th September 2011

C O O K I N G !

Welcome back to my blog!..Yes, it continues for another semester!

This semester we are writing up about our engagement in a chosen activity - one in which we currently participate in for at least two hours a week. The activity that I have chosen to blog about is cooking. I will be discussing the engagement that I have in cooking each week and some topics to do with what is involved with cooking.

So why choose cooking? I chose to do cooking as my activity as it is something I enjoy to do and I currently do it once or twice a week. I live in a flat with four other girls so we all take it in turns to cook each night. I learnt most of my cooking from my mother or other family members - just from watching them, having their recipes or helping them in the kitchen.

What might this activity have to do with Occupational Therapy? Well as I have experienced from previous placements, cooking and being in the kitchen is generally a part of anyone's meaningful everyday activities. As a future Occupational therapist, I think it is useful to know how to cook and the factors behind it so that I am able to understand the ways in which other people perform this activity.

Practical considerations: This activity should be easy for me to do for at least two hours a week, since we take it in turns to cook each night within our flat. We already have all of the equipment needed within our flat and buy groceries at the beginning of every week which means we generally have all the food that we need in order to prepare and cook meals each night.

Enjoy my cooking adventures...

Goodbye

So that's the end of my blog..I hope you enjoyed reading it and have learnt some things along the way.
Byyyeeee

Tutorial Eight: Assistive Technology

Assistive technology  "...products, devices or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that are used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities...", according to the definition proposed in the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (What is assistive technology?, 2001). I take assistive technology to mean that it is anything, whether it has been bought, made or adjusted that helps individuals with a disability to function to the best of their ability.

One piece of technology that I have researched is the Nintendo Wii. Wii is “a revolution of motion controlled gaming”  (Console at Nintendo, 2011). It consists of small console, a wireless controller, Nunchuk, sensor bar and games. The cost of these devices can range from $250 to $400 for the console and starter pack and then can range from an extra $30 to $200 for games. The Nintendo Wii consists of watching the T.V and making movements with the wireless Nunchuk in order to play the game on screen. You can get many different games for this ranging from fitness to games for juniors to resort activities.

Console at Nintendo. (2011). Retrieved May 11th, 2011, from Nintendo: http://www.nintendo.com/wii/console

Here is an example of some pricing for the Wii and some accessories that go with the device: 

http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/TWL-B2C-Site/en_NZ/-/NZD/ViewCategory-Paging?CategoryID=5Y8KBTHBT9QAAAEhNQARuO4s&SortAttribute=&FilterValue=&SortDirection=&FilterValue2=&FilterValue3=&=&=&PageableName=ProductUUIDs&PageNumber=0 

The Wii can largely influence and increase occupational capacity for the user. It has been proven to boost confidence and self-esteem, improve balance and co-ordination, strengthen muscles in the upper and lower body. It has also been proven to increase attention and willingness to participate in therapy sessions as it is therapy that actually interests clients.

For example, this article shows some research that has been carried out:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/73823-therapeutic-benefits-nintendo-wii-related/

Here is an example of a patient using Wii in their therapy session:

This is another example of a documentary about “Wiihabilitation”:

Tutorial Seven: Linking to Blogs of Interest and Exchanging Comments.

There are lots of Occupational Therapist blogs or blogs relating to some type of Occupational Therapy practice out there. They help to assist those being supported by an O.T or fellow O.T’s in order to better their practices. It is also helpful for up and coming O.T’s such as myself to see what I will be experiencing in the future. So here are a few blogs that interested me...

Blog One: (B)E(LO)N(G), OT – This is a blog that follows an Occupational Therapists journey right the way through her training and now continues it as a practising O.T:

http://otstudents.blogspot.com/

Blog Two: WIIHAB - REHABILITATIVE THERAPY USING THE WII BY THE "WII OT" – this is a blog about how Wii is used as a rehabilitation tool; relating to my next assistive technology blog:

http://wiihabtherapy.blogspot.com/

Blog Three: Therapist Tells All...Well some – This is a blog relating to Tutorial six; the mental health blog. It is about how mental health, how to cope and has a bit of humour amongst it:

http://drdemarco.tumblr.com/

Blog Four: The Autism News – This is a blog about Autism and all the recent news and therapy over the world on Autism:

http://www.theautismnews.com/

Blog Five: Georgina Hewson’s Blog – This is another student from my courses’ blog in which I commented on:

http://georginahewson.blogspot.com/2011/05/tutoral-five-youtube.html#comment-form

Tutorial Six: The Internet and Online Communities

Last year I was fortunate enough to have the experience to go on my fieldwork placement to a mental health community. From this I would like to introduce you all to some online communities which allow those struggling with mental health the chance for support on line. 

The three online communities I chose were:

1. Mental Health Awareness in NZ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=30543744102&v=wall

2. Mental Health Foundation of NZ: http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/blog/

3. Psych Central Blogs: http://blogs.psychcentral.com/managing-depression/category/general/

1. Mental health Awareness in NZ

The intended purpose of this facebook page is to allow people the chance to talk to each other over a social networking site and know that other people are feeling the same way. This is a very interactive site is it is mainly contributions from people who have joined the page and want to talk to others. There is also contributions from the founder of the page, who would post links and new information onto the page. It also gives the members some links that they can go to if they want to find more support or more information on mental health issues. People would choose to contribute to this page as it is a place where you don’t have to get up in front of a group, but can just say what you are feeling or thinking, without having to confront people and are just seeking someone to talk to who understands. Information shared is able to be commented on and discussions can be formed on a topic that one brings up.

For example, members can just talk about what they have been doing:

 

“How is every one? Me on holiday waiting for course to start again. Wished it could start tomorrow but at leased Xmas is passed and I serviced without any huge arguments or walking out on anyone! Would love to go to the conference in Wellington.”

 

Or information can be provided, followed by a link:

 

“Before anyone is diagnosesd with a mental illness, I suggest they order and watch the free DVD "Making A Killing, the untold story of psychotropic drugging" [recently screened on Maori Television]. Can be ordered free from my website.”

 

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=30543744102&v=wall

 

2. Mental Health Foundation of NZ

 

The intended purpose of this website is to provide all type of information and support for this with a mental illness or know someone who as one. There is information on campaigns, media news on mental health, upcoming events and anything to do with the government and mental health. There is also a blog on this site, in which participants can interact and discuss ideas and topics. There are many different topics amongst the blog and anyone can comment and contribute to them. The site writes the blog and contribute all the information on the site. This site is interactive through donations that can be made and shopping is able to be done on site. People would chose to contribute tothis sited as it is a reasonably trustworthy site, as it is run by the government and therefore the news, etc. That is displayed will be correct and relevant to the mental health community. Individuals looking on this site would most likely be seeking news on mental health issues from the government, information or just general support.

 

For example, topics spoken about on the blog are things such as schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, mental health resources, and many more.

 

http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/blog/

 

3. Psych Central blogs

 

The intended purpose of this site would be for individuals to learn about different topics that people write about on their blogs. This site is interactive through people reading the blogs on the particular topic in which they wish to read and then being able to comment on them. The site contributes the blogs, but the viewers contribute to the sites through the comments that they make. People can tell their own personal stories and join a support group on this site. People would choose to contribute to these blogs as they would learn from what they read, ask questions and may want to know more about their mental health issue. It also helps people to realise that others are thinking the same things and that they are struggling with the same issues.

 

For example, some titles for topics spoken about were:

"Anxiety in Childhood Often Precedes Depression in Adulthood - A Prevention opportunity?"

"If Depression Isn't in Your Genes, Then Where the Heck Is It?"

"Can Depression Be Prevented?"

http://blogs.psychcentral.com/managing-depression/category/general/

Some ethical issues could arise in these communities, such as lack of accountability and identity as anyone is able to access many of these pages and write on them what they feel or think. There are many benefits of having online communities such as these over more traditional geographical communities, as it means that people can discuss their issues and get support from all over the world; seeing different peoples’ perspectives and ideas on issues that people are struggling with. The individuals with mental health issues don’t have to confront others and speak about their issues in front of large groups if they do not feel comfortable. However, these online communities cannot provide the same level of support in which a traditional geographical community can. The people are not there to support you through everything and you can’t have a proper detailed conversation about issues that you are struggling with; which in some situations you need to talk about things. Traditional geographical communities are good for situations with more severe issues when people need stronger one-on-one type of support and help.

Tutorial Five: Video Production Sessions continued

YouTube was founded in February 2005 (YouTube, 2010). It is a place for people to go on and upload videos from their phone, laptop, camera or any other device, for the world to see. These can be videos of anything and everything, ranging from educational ones to fitness ones to ones that just make people laugh. It is a place for people everywhere to go on and watch such videos that people have put up to be seen. It is a place for people to discover new things and see things that you’d never think was possible to see from the other side of the world. It is a place for people to share their videos and the experiences that they have had. When people upload their videos to YouTube, anything can happen - they can become famous from artists seeing their song and therefore finding their new prodigy; some people just get very well-known for the ridiculous videos on which they put on. People can comment on these videos and give the owner feedback on what they thought and how good it was.

YouTube. (2010). Retrieved May 1st, 2011, from Mashable: http://mashable.com/category/youtube/

Swimming

A topic that I have chosen to demonstrate through the use of YouTube video content is swimming. This is a personal occupation of mine and these videos will provide you with some scenes and experiences of swimming..

This first video is of learning how to swim Freestyle, which is generally the most commonly known stroke for beginners and is the fastest stroke in swimming..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH9z7eTfEvo&feature=relmfu

This video explains how to swim Breaststroke, which is personally one of my favourite strokes..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMoJVla31tc

This next video is of the world’s largest swimming pool, which shows swimming can be done anywhere and everywhere, and they’re coming up with new inventions to do with it all the time...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6yHhScgxqI

This is a video of behind the scenes at the Beijing Olympics of one of the best swimmers in the world at the moment, Michael Phelps...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wfs1bhnHyc&feature=relmfu

This last video is one that someone has compiled together lots of short clips of swimming to show “the best of swimming” through different strokes, races and people...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um3fUzDxP6s&feature=related

Tutorial Four: Video Production Sessions

In class we were set the task of making a short film in small groups. We decided that for our film, we would do it about being late for the next class due to falling asleep in the previous one – as almost falling asleep is a common occurrence for one of the girls in our group. We made this through many short takes using the video camera and then putting these in sequence in order to form the film. We also added music to it and edited parts in and out to make the film what we had planned from our storyboard and scripting.

So here is our film...hope you enjoy it...

Tutorial Two: Digital Imaging

In this post I will be addressing the topic of digital imaging.

Digital images are stored, transferred and manipulated using many different forms of information technology. There is hardware – “the physical aspect of computers, telecommunications, and other devices” (Hardware, 1997); and there is also software – “a general term for the various kinds of programs used to operate computers and related devices” (Software, 1997). Hardware that I am familiar with is computers, digital cameras, cell-phone, IPod, external hard-drive and USB. These are everyday types of hardware that I use in order to be able to do my work and communicate with other people. Software that I am familiar with are web-programs such as Facebook, Skype, hotmail, online-banking and Google. Also programs on my laptop such as Microsoft Word and I-Tunes. Digital imaging is used in many ways to provide information and recording. For example, through capturing pictures and videos, they can be shown to others to provide information of an event, place or person. Digital imagining can be used to provide information in places such as newspapers, magazines and websites for everyone to see and understand. These can then be stored and recorded on computers, disks or hard-drive so that they do not get lost.

 “A new technology is rarely superior to an old one in every feature.”

I believe that this quote can be both true and false. Digital camera technology these days has improved and progressed significantly from the old days of having to carry around huge cameras, taking 10minutes to get it in the exact right spot and actually taking the photo. These days digital cameras have every type of feature you need, including taking out red-eye, zooming in and out to crazy levels, smile detectors and almost anything you can think of that can make photography easier and pretty much to perfection of what you want. However, the negative of a digital camera is that it takes away the urge to get the photos printed. If you’re like me, you just upload them to a hard-drive or your computer and they just stay as files, rather than as printed pictures. With the traditional film-based cameras, there was no other option other than going to the store and getting the pictures printed out; therefore keeping memories in photo albums and the like. This was, however, also very expensive. Therefore, I would not say that the new technology in digital imaging technology is superior to that of the old technology, but it is different with its’ own positives and negatives.

From cameras such as this...                              

      

      (Dreamstime, 2011)      

                                               To cameras like this....

                       (C. W Services Limited, 2011)

With the new digital camera technology, however, there are many ethical issues that can arise through their use. Firstly, the main issue would be gaining consent from individuals appearing in photos. With the amount of photos that are taken these days, and the ease at which they are taken at, photos can be taken and distributed on places all over the web, without the consent of those in them. Also the issue of intellectual property can arise with the use of digital camera technologies. This is when the photos taken get displayed and distributed over the internet, for anyone and everyone to use without the permission of the original photographer. Refer back to my first blog for clearer definitions of both of these issues.

Digital images are being used quite commonly in Occupational Therapy. They can be used when a home, environment or equipment needs adapting. In this situation, the digital images would be taken from the environment, in order to prove what needs to be changed and to make plans of how it will be changed. Digital images are also used in everyday therapy. For example, videos to show the improvement from a clients therapy session or videos to show a client how to do an activity during the session. Also, many occupational therapists use videos or pictures to explain things to each other. Occupational therapists from all over the world upload videos to places such as YouTube or blogs and then other Occupational Therapists are able to see these, comment and use them if it’s what they are looking for. For example, here is a video link which shows one girls’ journey through therapy and why and how she was getting the therapy; which can be useful to other O.T’s: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL2yRE107IE

C. W Services Limited. (2011). Retrieved April 24th, 2011, from Google Images: http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?imgurl=http://www.camerarepairs.co.nz/images/fujifilm-fdz5-digital-camera.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.camerarepairs.co.nz/Services.html&usg=__-WRgVFOSVem94JCpfOOKYvhVGWk=&h=332&w=450&sz=91&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=rVMQjunnO4h

Dreamstime. (2011). Retrieved April 23rd, 2011, from Google Images: http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?imgurl=http://www.dreamstime.com/old-film-camera-thumb1236067.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photography-old-film-camera-image1236067&usg=__hQPpKltYE6avwENZob1bYwsCH8g=&h=400&w=400&sz=32&hl=en&sta

Hardware. (1997, November). Retrieved April 23rd, 2011, from CIO: http://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/definition/hardware

Software. (1997, November). Retrieved April 22, 2011, from CIO: http://searchsoa.techtarget.com/definition/software

Tutorial One: Information Technology and Ethics

I.T stands for "Information Technology," and refers to anything related to computing technology, such as networking, hardware, software, the Internet, or the people that work with these technologies. Many companies now have IT departments for managing the computers, networks, and other technical areas of their businesses. IT jobs include computer programming, network administration, computer engineering, Web development, technical support, and many other related occupations. Since we live in the "information age," information technology has become a part of our everyday lives. That means the term "IT," already highly overused, is here to stay. (Information Technology, 2006). To me, this definition covers everything to do with Information Technology (IT). Information technology is anything involved in computing and its uses such as storage, processing, retrieving and sending information. It is how people these days communicate, and without this in society, many would struggle with working a day to day life.

Information Technology. (2006). Retrieved April 10th, 2011, from TechTerms.com: http://www.techterms.com/definition/it

I.T is hugely prevalent in society. Many individuals rely on I.T in order to complete everyday tasks in the workplace and home. Back in history, computers were always just used as “artificial brains”; a device used to attack problems and process information. But “gradually, the devices acquired a different function. They became smart links, machines that connected devices, data and people. They went from being computing machines to connection machines” (20 Years of IT History: Connecting Devices, Data and People, 2006). This quote really shows how much I.T has grown and been accepted into society. Through I.T people are able to stay connected with those people that they no longer see or that it is difficult to get in touch with in different ways.

I was unable to upload this graph, but on this website is a graph showing the increase in computers in the household : http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/MultipageDocumentPage____16917.aspx

As this graph shows that even between 1986 and 1997 the percentage of households with computers rose significantly from 6.7% to 27.6% (Computers in Homes, 2006).  These days, computers and I.T have become even more of a common place and most NZ homes would have access to I.T. It is very uncommon for someone in society to not have access to I.T or to have used it at some stage in their life. Even my Granddad knows everything and anything about computers, the internet and everything that goes along with it!

20 Years of IT History: Connecting Devices, Data and People. (2006). Retrieved April 10th, 2011, from CIO: http://www.cio.com/article/139400/20_Years_of_IT_History_Connecting_Devices_Data_and_People

Computers in Homes. (2006). Retrieved April 11th, 2011, from Ministry of Economic Development: http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/MultipageDocumentPage____16917.aspx

I have personally been using different forms of I.T for many years such as digital cameras, IPods, cellphones, external hard-drives and of course computers. Even back in primary school we would use the computers to play games and do some work on. Then all the way through high school and Polytech I.T was largely used in order to carry out general work, research and study. Therefore, through all of this practice and experience that I have had with I.T, I am pretty comfortable with using different devices and forms of I.T for different reasons. Having the access to such I.T has really expanded my ability to use and keep up to date with these devices.

“Occupational therapists need to embrace the use of mainstream technology in their quest to ensure that therapy remains current and meaningful to their clients” (Verdonck & Ryan, 2008).  I.T is being widely used in Occupational Therapy practice, as the information and communication technologies are becoming extremely more common place and part of clients’ everyday activities. Not only is I.T used in the clients’ activities, but also for an Occupational Therapist. As I saw on my fieldwork experience, I.T is essential in a community setting. Computer systems are used throughout the clinic in order to be able to gather data on clients, but then also when out in the community the therapist would not be able to work to the best of their ability without I.T such as cell phones. Cell phones are a very important device in order for the therapists to remember their appointments, to get in contact with the rest of the team and just in general emergencies. However, an issue with this reliance on I.T systems is that if the computer crashes then the information is either temporarily or forever lost. Here is a link showing online technology for Occupational Therapy: 

http://www.slideshare.net/anitahamilton/online-technology-for-occupational-therapy-presentation-for-students

Verdonck, M., & Ryan, S. (2008). Mainstream technology as an occupational therapy tool: technophobe or technogeek? British Journal of Occupational Therapy , 71(6), 253-256.

Many ethical implications arise from capturing, sharing and transferring information over I.T devices. Pictures and information get misused over the internet, or get used without the consent of the individuals in the photograph or information. This is often seen through videos, etc. that are posted onto sites such as YouTube. Once an interesting video goes onto YouTube, the amount of people that look at it is incredible; and once it is on cyberspace, there is no way of getting it back. It is there for the world to use and look at.

Definitions:

Intellectual property (IP): Documented or undocumented knowledge, creative ideas, or expressions of human mind that have commercial(monetary) value and are protectable under copyright, patent, service mark, trademark, or trade secret laws from imitation, infringement, and dilution. Intellectual property includes brand names, discoveries, formulas, inventions,  know how, registered designs, software, and works of artistic, literary, or musical nature. It is one of the most readily tradable property in the internet (digital)marketplace (Intellectual Property, 2011).

Social Justice: The fair and proper administration of laws conforming to the natural law that all persons, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, possessions, race, religion, etc., are to be treated equally and without prejudice (Social Justice, 2011).

Informed consent: is a legal condition whereby a person can be said to have given consent based upon a full appreciation and understanding of the facts and implications of any actions, with the individual being in possession of all of his faculties and his judgment not being impaired at the time of consenting (Informed Consent, n.d).

Informed Consent. (n.d). Retrieved April 10th, 2011, from WordIQ.com: http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Informed_consent

Intellectual Property. (2011). Retrieved April 10th, 2011, from BusinessDictionary.com: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/intellectual-property.html

Social Justice. (2011). Retrieved April 10th, 2011, from BusinessDictionary.com: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/social-justice.html

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