Wednesday 21 March 2012

Cooking (In relation to powerpont)

Cooking.

Cooking is to “prepare (food) for eating by applying heat” (The free dictionary, 2012). I have chosen cooking as occupation to discuss as it is one I have participated in during my fieldwork placement for occupational therapy. My placement was in a Youth Mental Health setting, and on Fridays the service users came together to cook a substantial meal for all of them to eat together. I assisted the service users in making the food, by helping them prepare the food, and answer questions they were not sure about. Once the food had been cooked, myself, the other therapists and service users gathered around a table and eat together.

The term “do” means “The activities in which a particular person engages. Or Deeds; accomplishments.” (Free dictionary.com,2012) In my power point I have created images which represent this (Images 13,14,15, and 17) to show aspects of cooking which people are performing purposeful, goal orientated activities such as cooking on the barbeque. Becoming is “any process of change” (Free dictionary.com, 2012) Slide numbers 3, 6, 12, 16 and 20 represent the envisioning a future self, what we wish to become and the future contributions to self and others. Being is “a part of something, such as an object, an idea, or a symbol, that exists, is thought to exist, or is represented as existing”. (Dictionary.com, 2012) In slides 5 and 7 this is represented through people showing that they are taking the time taken to reflect, be introspective with valued people. The term belonging is the “Acceptance as a natural member or part” (Free dictionary.com, 2012). In images 4, 8, 9, 13, 14, 18, and 20 all represent social interaction, friendship, inclusion and people valuing each other.

Three examples of ethical considerations I have made in relation to the images I have chosen is that I have gained informed consent from all people making an appearance in my own photos, that I have referenced any online sources I have used and that I have remained fully confidential to the youth mental health setting I was placed in as I provided no names or places.

References Farlex. The free dictionary. (2012). Retreived from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/cooking

Information Technology and Ethical Issues

Technology.

The focus of this blog is to annotate my experience using digital technology and the ethical issues related to technology and how it is used for information distribution. Technology defined as Information technology is “The production, storage and communication of information using computers and microelectronics.” (Hanks, 1989) This type of technology includes the use of laptops, iPods, I pads, computers as a means to store and communicate with the wider world.

Informative technology in society is becoming extremely prevalent and is becoming a part of everyday life. The use of technology allows the individual to communicate efficiently, cheaply and quickly. The following YouTube clip is a cleverly computer generated clip to where it shows people performing daily activities promoting the “future of screen technology”. It is a representation of how technologies are fastly expanding and the potential of where technology could be in the near future. (YouTube; Future of Screen Technology, 2012) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7_mOdi3O5E

Devices I am comfortable in using is my laptop, television, cell phone and IPod Nano. I have been brought up around these technologies and feel as if they have become a common household item and many people are owners of the same technologies I own. I am not as comfortable using an iPod touch, Ipad as these are new technologies and I feel as though a standard iPod has the same purpose. I am aware that an iPod touch for instance has all the applications you need to send emails go on Facebook and even check the weather – but I enjoy keeping these things separate. A factor that would limit my use of these technologies is the lack of knowledge of how to use them, and having to learn about technology that currently does not interest me. A factor that would help expand my use of it would be if it brought on a means of meaningful occupation.  I am currently using Facebook to keep in touch with friends living elsewhere. Socialising is of great importance to be in keeping friendships. Facebook in particular has specifically increased my use of it for this particular reason.

During my occupational therapy practise I have witnessed the use of information technology being used in my placement with adults with intellectual disability. The use of television, and music became a measure for people to gather around a lounge and either listens to music or watch TV together, this enhanced the importance of belonging to a group and how technology can assist in group activities.

The issues around OTs adopting IT systems and tools is that the successful use of technology relies on the occupational therapist ability to select and structure technologies that meets the client’s needs. There are a lot of technologies that remain unused but could be very empowering for a client. It is important for an occupational therapist to explore these as applying technology to their practise could benefit a client.

I can envisage OTs using something such as an ipad as a tool of practise to see how a client is able to adapt to new technologies. Such as in a youth mental health setting getting the client to use the ipad as a use of means of gathering recipes for healthy eating, and storing these. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pcl5MHZilzE (YouTube, 2012) Youth cooking together is a therapeutic measure in the fact of gaining self-satisfaction and the knowledge on healthy eating and food preparation.

I think an understanding of information technology will help me and other occupational therapists in practise to enable a person’s functional independence. For instance; the internet can help an individual with their self -such as online shopping, internet banking, and leisure activities such as music downloading, videos and virtual communities, and productivity; in buying and selling making travel bookings and for advertising. Overall technology can assist in meeting the ultimate goal of an Occupational therapist which is to help the individual be independent and competent in occupation.

Ethical implications must be taken into consideration when citing images and transferring information through technology. Informed consent when taking images is important as the individual becomes aware and accepts that their imagery may be used for public use or even used for study or research.  Confidentiality is important when discussing a setting and clients as not to use names. However wherever information has been annotated names places, websites and written resources must be cited.



References

Hanks, P. (ed). (1989) Collins Concise Dictionary. Glasgow: Bath Press.

YouTube. Breakfast smoother - kids cooking for kids (2012) Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pcl5MHZilzE

YouTube; Future of Screen Technology, 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7_mOdi3O5E