So that's the end of my blog..I hope you enjoyed reading it and have learnt some things along the way.
Byyyeeee
Thursday 12 May 2011
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
Blog Four: The Autism News – This is a blog about Autism and all the recent news and therapy over the world on Autism:
Blog Five: Georgina Hewson’s Blog – This is another student from my courses’ blog in which I commented on:
Wednesday 11 May 2011
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:
“
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.
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?"
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.
Tuesday 10 May 2011
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/
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..
This video explains how to swim Breaststroke, which is personally one of my favourite strokes..
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...
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...
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...
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
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