Lessons Integrating Handheld Technology:
I think that Handheld Technology is a great component for occupational therapy instruction and clinical applications. The iPhone is being utilized in a community college setting with individuals with Acquired Brain Injuries. What I find most appealing about this, is that there are very few individuals that do not have a cell phone. Majority of cell phones now have calendars with alarms. Let’s say that someone that has short term memory needs to be reminded to eat their three meals a day. An alarm can be set in the calendar to remind them to eat. An individual that has acquired their short term memory skills, but needs reminders for appointments, this can be set in their cell phone also. If the cell phone or smartphone has the capability to sync with their computer, a family member or friend can also ensure that all of the appointments, dates etc. have been placed in their calendar. How many of us have paper calendars and we are at an appointment, but cannot recall what all is scheduled for a particular day. How many of us make sure that we have our smartphones with us, if so, then we can access it immediately. The aforementioned techniques assist with memory and cognitive rehabilitation. There is no limit on what we can do with the smartphone technology and occupational therapy.
Listed below is a blog that provides recommendations for apps for the iPad. This is
primarily for pediatric settings. There are several apps for handwriting, music, cause and effect, voice and communication skills. This is another great example of a handheld device that can be utilized almost anywhere. The occupational therapy students can learn from the apps and how to apply them to their clients and specific clinical setting. As with websites, it is a good learning tool to determine if there are other components of the app that can be utilized. An example would with the writing app, what other skills would the user need to actively take part. The client may need visual acuity, color discrimination, touch sensitivity, ability to hold an electronic pen (if indicated), or auditory acuity. Just because one app is designed for a specific task, such as writing, it doesn’t mean that there are not other therapeutic benefits.
There is very little research with handheld technology and the benefits with occupational therapy education and clinical applications. These are devices that have been introduced within the past two to five years. I am sure that there will be research forthcoming. I think that to initially acquire objective data this would include developing assessment strategies in the classroom. Such as a well defined Rubric and Competency Checklist. Students would be interviewed at the end of their Level II Fieldwork to determine if they incorporated the technology and their subjective feedback. Additional assessment would be adjusted according to this feedback.
The cost of an iPhone is around $200.00 and the cost of an iPad starts at $500.00. Depending if you get additional accessories, programs the cost can increase. Cost of internet service can vary depending on location and type.
The implications for classroom use are wide open. Instruction methods that can be utilized are boundless. The transfer of this technology into the clinical setting is also unlimited. Clients typically lose their paper handouts, but they seem to always know where their phone or iPad is. This can also promote better follow through of clients with their home programs as it is readily available to them at all times.
Handheld Technology has countless avenues of use. This may promote increased recall of techniques taught in the classroom. The students can have this easy access to review techniques once they are clinicians. The transfer of the technology techniques can also be individualized to each client instead of paper handouts. This would provide the client with visual, auditory, pictorial or video of their individualized programs. This would promote healthier follow through by the client and improved quality of life.
Reference
http://www.id4theweb.com/, Retrieved June 7th , 2011
June 7th, 2011.
