OTMOOC

OTMOOC? What's that?

Let's break it down and start with "What's a MOOC?"

'MOOC' stands for Massive Open Online Course, and is a way for people to learn (using the internet) in a collaborative way.

I first learnt about MOOCs on the OT4OT Facebook page, via Helen_OTUK who is currently participating in #eduMOOC2011. From this, ClaireOT came up with the idea of developing an OT MOOC (which, if you're following, is an Occupational Therapy Massive Open Online Course).

How would that work exactly? Well I'm not sure yet. But I'm excited to see where this idea takes us!

If you're interested in finding out too, make sure you check out the OT4OT Facebook page where I'm sure further discussion will take place (and make sure you check out Helen and Claire's blogs)! Also, keep an eye out for the #OTMOOC hashtag on Twitter.

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Clarissa

Catching Up, (or, Why I'm Actually Glad I Couldn't Afford to Go to the College of Occupational Therapists Conference)

Those of you who've been wondering why I've been quiet, please allow me to give you a taste of the last few weeks. (I realise that some of these could have dedicated posts, but I'm afraid my fatigue doesn't leave me much concentration).

I finished my second year at university at the end of May. Lots of assignments and deadlines... so pleased that's over! I also had a journal club to coordinate.

Once that was over, we moved house which was an ordeal!

A few days into living at our new house, I went on holiday to Norway with the boyfriend. It was just five days - but we packed each day with sight-seeing and exploration.

The day after we returned from Norway, I went on a two-day Model of Creative Ability course in Edinburgh. The course was intense but very interesting. A useful tool to add to my toolbox. I spent two nights in a youth hostel with a beanbag cinema, which was a fun new experience (but I consequently didn't get much sleep).

Seeing Avenue Q has been on my bucket list for five years and when I spotted a poster for it at the train station, I spontaneously booked a ticket for a show a couple days later. So it was back on the train (to Glasgow this time). Although I have listened to the music, read about it, and watched the videos too many times to count, I was still amazed at how fantastic the show was. I loved it so much that I was tempted to get in the queue for tickets to the next show.

My time since getting back from Glasgow has been dedicated to preparing for my sister's 18th birthday party (at our not-yet-unpacked) house. And finally yesterday, I played chef/party organiser until the early hours of the morning.

Today, I have mostly been horizontal.

Read More 2 comments | Posted by Clarissa

Moving

A week today we will be in a new house.

Moving is nothing new, but having been here for this is the longest we've lived in the same house for a long time. While packing, I've wondered "why is it that I hate moving and packing so much?"

My answer arrived in the form of a distant memory from First Year. I remembered Pierce (2003) writing something about how we "map" our routines onto spaces (our environment)*.

Now, I can complete my getting-ready-in-the-morning routines on auto-pilot, thinking about other things, because the way that my environment is set out supports my habits. But when I move... the objects that I need are in different places (and I may not know where they are), and the layout of the "spaces" in my home are different. I'm consciously aware about what I'm doing and where I'm going, and that complicates matters.

*Unfortunately my copy of the book is packed so I can't remember exactly what she said!

Pierce, D.E. (2003) Occupation By Design: Building Therapeutic Power. Philadelphia, PA: FA Davis Company

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Clarissa

Only For Now....

Nothing lasts, life goes on, full of surprises.

Except for death and paying taxes everything in life is only for now.

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Clarissa

Voting

I voted for the first time today. Can't say it was exactly what I expected - but then, I've grown up with images like the one above. I'm grateful that I didn't have to take hours out of my day to queue. However, one thing which really surprised me was the fact that I wasn't asked for any form of identification.. even to state my name and address. Oh well, I guess it's just a waiting game now...

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Clarissa

Blood, Sweat and.. TV?

As I sit here, dreading another night shift, I'm reminded that things could be worse.

Last week, I watched a program called Blood Sweat and Luxuries with a client. In this episode, six spoilt British young people travelled to Madagascar. They lived and worked with Sapphire miners. The young people struggled to keep up with the miners digging a mine without the use of machines - I would too. I was struck by how hard they worked, all for the equivalent of £1 per day.

What really hit me was the fact that these miners earned less for a full day's backbreaking work, risking their lives, than I did for the hour that I spent watching the program.

How can I complain about the physical 'side effects' of my work, when their situation is far worse?

One of the girls in the program challenged a Sapphire dealer about the low wage they receive for their work (when his was significantly more). He explained that people get paid for their knowledge, and that those who are better trained deserve a higher pay. I suppose it's a bit like that here in the UK too..

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Clarissa

Ramblings

About Me

I'm a third year Occupational Therapy student/geek and the chair of my university's OT society. I work in mental health and enjoy scrapbooking, baking, knitting, taking photographs and watching crime/medical dramas. I like cold, sunny mornings, street lights and Sharpie pens. As an adult Third Culture Kid, I can't answer simply the question "where are you from?".

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OTMOOC

Catching Up, (or, Why I'm Actually Glad I Couldn't Afford to Go to the College of Occupational Therapists Conference)

Moving

Only For Now....

Voting

Blood, Sweat and.. TV?

Ramblings

About Me

Ramblings

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