Kendyl: Making coffee
http://kendylsblog2.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-entry-4-06102011.html#comments
Kylie: Cooking
http://kylie009.blogspot.com/2011/09/post-one-cooking.html#comments
Stu: Chickens
http://stupearce.blogspot.com/2011/10/still-trying-to-understand-why-i-need.html#comments
Kayla: Cooking
http://kaylaphillips123.blogspot.com/2011/10/well-hello-i-am-back.html#comments
Wednesday 26 October 2011
Sunday 2 October 2011
A day at work
Today is Friday the 30th of September. On this day i began work at 7am in the morning and finished at 12:30pm in order to make my 1pm lecture. I opened the cafe right on time and got the machine flushed, cloths rinsed and grinds through all before 7:05am, and no customers to my relief! The first coffee i made was for my boss and myself as we tend to enjoy our coffee together, chatting (while i am putting the cakes out). we both drink a small trim flat white. Today was her birthday so i wrapped red ribbon around her cup and wrote on the top 'i am a birthday coffee' she found humor in this and was quite stoked about it :) I then saw two regular customers pull up outside so i began making there coffees at the same time (knowing what they would have). They walked in while one made general chit chat to me and my boss. Once the coffee had extracted i stirred the sugars in making sure it was well aborbed and that the cremer was still adequate.Because I had frothed the milk at the same time using the big jug their coffees were ready together. One customer then spoke of how he missed my coffee in the morning (as i am now working afternoons instead of afternoons to fit with my polytech time-table). This was a boost to my self confidence so early in the morning, just what i needed! My workmate then arrived and began other tasks while i stayed working on the machine. It was extremely busy this particular morning so i felt under-pressure and rushed. I therefore didnt take the time i would have usually have spent on each coffee, this resulted in a lack of milk or bubbly coffee. i began getting annoyed and fustrated that the milk wasnt doing what i needed it to do, which demotivated my work ethic. Another contributor to this was the fact that my co-worker and i were not on speaking terms. I felt uncomfortable and stressed while making coffees. Not such a good day at work....
The domain of interest this week was really appreciating how important it is to build rapport with co-workers. The relationship between co-workers and bosses has impact of the feel of the environment both for customers and the employees. The way i feel when producing a coffee has affect on the final product, this can be related to stress, pressure, anxiety, anger and confidence as well as many other feelings we as human beings experience.
The domain of interest this week was really appreciating how important it is to build rapport with co-workers. The relationship between co-workers and bosses has impact of the feel of the environment both for customers and the employees. The way i feel when producing a coffee has affect on the final product, this can be related to stress, pressure, anxiety, anger and confidence as well as many other feelings we as human beings experience.
Friday 23 September 2011
Aesthetics
This week will be focused on the aesthetics of coffee making which comes under the umbrella of last weeks topic on affordance. Aesthetics involves the way you feel when engaged in occupation including the senses (sight, taste, touch and smell).
Aesthetics:
The beauty of producing a coffee such as attention to detail regarding the frothing of milk, the way you pour the milk when it contact's the shot of coffee and how you apply design to the finish product all determines the beautiful aspects of a cup of coffee. The flavour and taste of a good cup of coffee is crucial. To achieve this, the creator uses specific techniques and attention to detail when in the process of making the coffee. To achieve desired taste it is important to reference the individuals likes by understanding their specific taste and preferences such as adding sugar, trim or full fat milk, chocolate or cinnamon, strong or weak. Each barista is unique in the way that they do things and this often impacts on the coffee. If a barista makes a cup without focusing on the milk it is likely to result in a bubbly aerated coffee whereas a barista who takes their time when focusing on milk will produce a more creamy satisfying drink.
Check out this video of coffee art to the extreme! Watching this clip gives me motivation to furthur my skills as a barista. I would love to learn how to do some of these!
http://youtu.be/2oU8IKL4yt4
Spirituality:
When thinking about coffee making and spirituality it is hard at first to reason a connection between the two, but on unpacking this idea it has become evident in subtle but meaningful ways. When making a coffee it is made for someone else either known personally or a complete stranger. This brings a certain connection between both the receiver and the maker. Especially if the barista produces a coffee that is enjoyed by the receiver it is likely they will return or appreciate the effort of the barista, the connection is therefore gratitude from the receiver and a lift of self confidence for the barista. Making a cup of coffee for other staff members or family is often an expression of care or love. It shows that effort has been put into the production of the coffee and that you were thinking of that other person. Making coffee is a notion of accepting and giving.
Health:
Health relating to coffee consumption is known to be quite controversial. It is usually consumed in order to heighten senses becoming more alert, therefore efficient. Although it does increase Blood pressure.
The latest research has not only confirmed that moderate coffee consumption doesn't cause harm, it's also uncovered possible benefits. Studies show that the risk for type 2 diabetes is lower among regular coffee drinkers than among those who don't drink it. Also, coffee may reduce the risk of developing gallstones, discourage the development of colon cancer, improve cognitive function, reduce the risk of liver damage in people at high risk for liver disease, and reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease. Coffee has also been shown to improve endurance performance in long-duration physical activities. Ccoffee is not completely innocent. Caffeine, coffee's main ingredient is a mild addictive stimulant. And coffee does have modest cardiovascular effects such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and occasional irregular heartbeat that should be considered. Studies have been largely inconclusive regarding coffee and its effect on women's health issues such as breast health, cancer, and osteoporosis. But, the negative effects of coffee tend to emerge in excessive drinking so it is best to avoid heavy consumption. (http://www.http//www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/coffee_health_risk)
Coffee can also be viewed as an healthy activity in terms of socialising. It is used alot as a medium for conversation, meeting up with friends, family or colleagues and general social interaction. It is a common occurrence for most people to have a cup of coffee with a friend or in groups, producing a positive social benefit. As for physically making the coffee in the position of a barista it involves moving around (delivering the cups, washing dishes, reaching etc) strength (carting milk, lifting boxes, packets of beans etc) and again socialization with customers and workmates.
Aesthetics:
The beauty of producing a coffee such as attention to detail regarding the frothing of milk, the way you pour the milk when it contact's the shot of coffee and how you apply design to the finish product all determines the beautiful aspects of a cup of coffee. The flavour and taste of a good cup of coffee is crucial. To achieve this, the creator uses specific techniques and attention to detail when in the process of making the coffee. To achieve desired taste it is important to reference the individuals likes by understanding their specific taste and preferences such as adding sugar, trim or full fat milk, chocolate or cinnamon, strong or weak. Each barista is unique in the way that they do things and this often impacts on the coffee. If a barista makes a cup without focusing on the milk it is likely to result in a bubbly aerated coffee whereas a barista who takes their time when focusing on milk will produce a more creamy satisfying drink.
Check out this video of coffee art to the extreme! Watching this clip gives me motivation to furthur my skills as a barista. I would love to learn how to do some of these!
http://youtu.be/2oU8IKL4yt4
Spirituality:
When thinking about coffee making and spirituality it is hard at first to reason a connection between the two, but on unpacking this idea it has become evident in subtle but meaningful ways. When making a coffee it is made for someone else either known personally or a complete stranger. This brings a certain connection between both the receiver and the maker. Especially if the barista produces a coffee that is enjoyed by the receiver it is likely they will return or appreciate the effort of the barista, the connection is therefore gratitude from the receiver and a lift of self confidence for the barista. Making a cup of coffee for other staff members or family is often an expression of care or love. It shows that effort has been put into the production of the coffee and that you were thinking of that other person. Making coffee is a notion of accepting and giving.
Health:
Health relating to coffee consumption is known to be quite controversial. It is usually consumed in order to heighten senses becoming more alert, therefore efficient. Although it does increase Blood pressure.
The latest research has not only confirmed that moderate coffee consumption doesn't cause harm, it's also uncovered possible benefits. Studies show that the risk for type 2 diabetes is lower among regular coffee drinkers than among those who don't drink it. Also, coffee may reduce the risk of developing gallstones, discourage the development of colon cancer, improve cognitive function, reduce the risk of liver damage in people at high risk for liver disease, and reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease. Coffee has also been shown to improve endurance performance in long-duration physical activities. Ccoffee is not completely innocent. Caffeine, coffee's main ingredient is a mild addictive stimulant. And coffee does have modest cardiovascular effects such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and occasional irregular heartbeat that should be considered. Studies have been largely inconclusive regarding coffee and its effect on women's health issues such as breast health, cancer, and osteoporosis. But, the negative effects of coffee tend to emerge in excessive drinking so it is best to avoid heavy consumption. (http://www.http//www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/coffee_health_risk)
Coffee can also be viewed as an healthy activity in terms of socialising. It is used alot as a medium for conversation, meeting up with friends, family or colleagues and general social interaction. It is a common occurrence for most people to have a cup of coffee with a friend or in groups, producing a positive social benefit. As for physically making the coffee in the position of a barista it involves moving around (delivering the cups, washing dishes, reaching etc) strength (carting milk, lifting boxes, packets of beans etc) and again socialization with customers and workmates.
Friday 16 September 2011
Affordances
This post will be focusing on Affordances relating to the activity of making coffee.
Communication
Communication is a huge part of a coffee making process. in order to produce a cup of coffee it is essential to communicate with a customer regarding their preferences. This includes questions about the type of coffee, size, milk type, sugar, sit in or take-away. Communication is the initial step in the coffee making process or activity. Eye contact is important to promote acceptable customer service skills, although eye contact is not generally used when physically making the coffee (affecting concentration).
Relationships are built through the communication between customer, barista and other staff members. Small talk such as the weather and work is typical due to the nature of the relationship between customer and barista which is usually a new/ polite relationship. Although in the particular place of work i am referring to during my study the customers are generally regular and well known therefore communication is more open and spontaneous (joking, laughing).
The setting provides a space to communicate and socialise.
another aspect of communication in the cafe is the electronic communication we provide the customers which is texting a coffee order to us.
Connection/plot of story
Began working at 7am (when cafe opens)
Turned lights on, radio, dishwasher, grill.
Started filling the hopper with coffee while i emptied the sink (cloths were soaked in Janola)
Washed out the 3 groupers which had cleaning shampoo in them overnight. Groupers were put through the machine twice each ensuring quality coffee taste
First customer comes in, who i know personally from his regular attendance at the cafe. We made general chit-chat and i made his coffee without needing to ask what he wanted....yes he is that regular!
The next four customers were all regulars so i knew what kind of coffee they had also. The cafe cellphone went off with a coffee order request.
The food then came in with my fellow employee, so we unloaded it and stocked up the cakes. This was done while serving the customers and making coffee (also money exchange).
The next couple of hours were quite repetitive with making coffee, food.
In between tasks i washed dishes, dried them and put them away. also cleaned benches, tables.
12:30 pm finish! :)
Moral properties
good:
Degree of effort in design
Attention/thoughtfulness
Supplying a good tasting coffee
Satisfaction of worth
Politeness
Efficientness
bad:
Getting the order wrong
Spilling product
Not applying effort
Being negative towards customers
Wastefullness
Communication
Communication is a huge part of a coffee making process. in order to produce a cup of coffee it is essential to communicate with a customer regarding their preferences. This includes questions about the type of coffee, size, milk type, sugar, sit in or take-away. Communication is the initial step in the coffee making process or activity. Eye contact is important to promote acceptable customer service skills, although eye contact is not generally used when physically making the coffee (affecting concentration).
Relationships are built through the communication between customer, barista and other staff members. Small talk such as the weather and work is typical due to the nature of the relationship between customer and barista which is usually a new/ polite relationship. Although in the particular place of work i am referring to during my study the customers are generally regular and well known therefore communication is more open and spontaneous (joking, laughing).
The setting provides a space to communicate and socialise.
another aspect of communication in the cafe is the electronic communication we provide the customers which is texting a coffee order to us.
Connection/plot of story
Began working at 7am (when cafe opens)
Turned lights on, radio, dishwasher, grill.
Started filling the hopper with coffee while i emptied the sink (cloths were soaked in Janola)
Washed out the 3 groupers which had cleaning shampoo in them overnight. Groupers were put through the machine twice each ensuring quality coffee taste
First customer comes in, who i know personally from his regular attendance at the cafe. We made general chit-chat and i made his coffee without needing to ask what he wanted....yes he is that regular!
The next four customers were all regulars so i knew what kind of coffee they had also. The cafe cellphone went off with a coffee order request.
The food then came in with my fellow employee, so we unloaded it and stocked up the cakes. This was done while serving the customers and making coffee (also money exchange).
The next couple of hours were quite repetitive with making coffee, food.
In between tasks i washed dishes, dried them and put them away. also cleaned benches, tables.
12:30 pm finish! :)
Moral properties
good:
Degree of effort in design
Attention/thoughtfulness
Supplying a good tasting coffee
Satisfaction of worth
Politeness
Efficientness
bad:
Getting the order wrong
Spilling product
Not applying effort
Being negative towards customers
Wastefullness
Thursday 15 September 2011
Ergonomics
Ergonomics ultimately defines OT as it is about how person activity and environment work together. Below i have categorized person, activity and environment into three sections where i will discuss coffee making around ergonomics
Person
21 years of age
Responsibilities: make coffee, serve customers, wash dishes, prepare food, clear dishes, clean.
Gender: female
Competence/skills: 3 years experience/certificate in coffee skills
Attitudes: majority = positive, although depending on situation this can change
Time available: 25 hours per week
Financial resources: dependant on the job for living costs
Capacity to switch between activity's. Necessary for the job (fast paced environment)Individuality: Personality, customer relationships, coffee design
Activity
Materials supplied (readily available)
Rhythms: group, pour, froth, pour (Coffee is produced the same way with the same amount of steps resulting in similar rhythm)
Specific process to follow (way of completion)
Cost varies between size, type of coffee
Mornings and lunchtime are extremely busy times whereas afternoons are quieter
Degree of engagement= with customers, other staff members
Need sufficient amount of space, regarding machine size, equipment accessibility. Counter space for food, milk, lids cups, money exchange etc.
Resources are available (milk daily delivery) (contract with cups, lids, coffee beans order weekly) sugar etc ordered when lowCoffee culture is very adamant in NZ (appreciation, socialisation) Environment can be in cafe stetting or takeaway
Winter = busier and over Christmas (coffee is consumed for stress (gives increased levels of energy)
Usually drank seated (during involvement in another activity eg work, conversation)
<------ cafe
setting
To understand the specifics of how coffee is produced and available in our favourite cafes, it is useful to have a read of this web page http://deborah-s-hildebrand.suite101.com/building-solid-work-relationships-a33852
I have been totally unaware of this information until discovering this site..eeek! Alot of preperation goes into the process of purchasing a coffee, from sowing the plants to transportation across countries, no wonder a bag of beans costs $50.00 NZ.
Tuesday 13 September 2011
Participation in Occupation #2!!!
Welcome to the second installment of Participation in Occupation :) a whole new semester and whole new focus! Future blogging and information will be based upon COFFEE MAKING. I will be analysing this activity by using a variety of resources and updating on my experience of this occupation.
Currently I work as a Barista in between studying Occupational Therapy. I spend approximatley 20 hours per week producing coffee, and have been doing so for 3 years, fair to say i quite experienced in this field. Personally i enjoy this occupation for its ability to be creative with design and presentation. I believe it is a social acitivty regarding customer and staff interations, also useful for travelling in the future!
Making coffee can be a physically demanding role considering the use of the upper body components and working in an extremly fast paced environment. This occupation also includes other jobs such as washing and drying dishes, collecting dishes, exchanging money, cleaning up, replacing milk and beans and relationships with other employees.
There are really 3 main components involved in making a cup of coffee:
1. filling the basket with ground beans
2. attatching the basket to the machine and running the coffee through
3. frothing the milk
These components are what is needed to produce a cup of coffee, although there are many other considerations that may or may not be included which will be disscussed in further detail as we progress :)
Making coffee can be a physically demanding role considering the use of the upper body components and working in an extremly fast paced environment. This occupation also includes other jobs such as washing and drying dishes, collecting dishes, exchanging money, cleaning up, replacing milk and beans and relationships with other employees.
There are really 3 main components involved in making a cup of coffee:
1. filling the basket with ground beans
2. attatching the basket to the machine and running the coffee through
3. frothing the milk
These components are what is needed to produce a cup of coffee, although there are many other considerations that may or may not be included which will be disscussed in further detail as we progress :)
Wednesday 11 May 2011
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology products can enable people with disabilities to accomplish daily living tasks, assist them in communication, education, work or recreation activities, in essence, help them achieve greater independence and enhance their quality of life. Assistive Technology devices can help improve physical or mental functioning, overcome a disorder or impairment, help prevent the worsening of a condition, strengthen a physical or mental weakness, help improve a person's capacity to learn, or even replace a missing limb. http://www.rehabtool.com/forum/discussions/1.html
Here is an example of how a speech therapist has incorporated assistive technology into her clients life to benefit communication for a young boy who struggles to talk:
Morgan's iChat
January 5, 2009Morgan is a young boy who I met in the spring of 2007. He has autism which has a huge impact on his ability to communicate and interact with people. When I met Morgan, he was quite animated but as he was not able to speak he primarily communicated with sign and gestures. Not that he limited himself to these means. If needed, he would walk to retrieve items, lead people by the hand, or anything he could think of to get his point across. I was struck by Morgan's sense of humour and how hard he worked to try to communicate, but even his dedicated parents could not always understand what he wanted.
After I met Morgan, his parents and I began to explore the possibility of a portable dynamic display device. We ended up trialling several different devices that would let Morgan carry all the symbols he needed to communicate with people who do not know his signs. Following several equipment trials, we identified the iChat communication device as the best option for Morgan.
We patiently waited several months while Enable reprioritized the funding applications they had received. Finally, in August the iChat was funded and in Morgan's hands.
It has been really exciting to see how Morgan, his family and his school have embraced the iChat communication device. His teacher quickly learned how the equipment worked and began thinking about how Morgan could use it to communicate and participate throughout the school day. His parents have really taken to programming the iChat and figuring out how to make it part of their everyday lives. Morgan has been using it to travel on the bus, to buy ice creams, and to ask his fellow classmates if he could help them. He even used his iChat to ask his parents if they could put up the Christmas Tree!
Assitive technology is proving a useful way to communicate, motivate and mobilise clients with all types of disability. Everyday technology becomes more advanced and new products are introduced to the market. This opens opportunitys for both the therapist and the client with goals and intervention. I believe it is an exciting new tool that Occupational Therapsists should become familiar with and prepared to introduce to their practice to make the therapy a fun and interesting way of reaching client potential.
The wii
After I met Morgan, his parents and I began to explore the possibility of a portable dynamic display device. We ended up trialling several different devices that would let Morgan carry all the symbols he needed to communicate with people who do not know his signs. Following several equipment trials, we identified the iChat communication device as the best option for Morgan.
We patiently waited several months while Enable reprioritized the funding applications they had received. Finally, in August the iChat was funded and in Morgan's hands.
It has been really exciting to see how Morgan, his family and his school have embraced the iChat communication device. His teacher quickly learned how the equipment worked and began thinking about how Morgan could use it to communicate and participate throughout the school day. His parents have really taken to programming the iChat and figuring out how to make it part of their everyday lives. Morgan has been using it to travel on the bus, to buy ice creams, and to ask his fellow classmates if he could help them. He even used his iChat to ask his parents if they could put up the Christmas Tree!
Assitive technology is proving a useful way to communicate, motivate and mobilise clients with all types of disability. Everyday technology becomes more advanced and new products are introduced to the market. This opens opportunitys for both the therapist and the client with goals and intervention. I believe it is an exciting new tool that Occupational Therapsists should become familiar with and prepared to introduce to their practice to make the therapy a fun and interesting way of reaching client potential.
The wii
The wii is a new peice of technology that offers consumers hands free gaming and interaction. It is played much the same as original playstations on a screen, choosing the game and competing with your own score or others, the exception of the Nintendo wii being that you use your body to control the player or character in the application. The arms, legs and whole body is used making it a physical game where the player is up and moving. The wii has games also associated with quizzes, mathematics and descision making so players can choose this type of game also. Watch this Nintendo advertisment to see what the hype is about..
Sunday 10 April 2011
The internet and online communities
In association with the last post about Mental Health i have done some research and found 3 interactive sites relating to this topic. All are different and provide users with unique and indivdual information. This post will be exploring these 3 online communities in more detail
1. http://www.thelowdown.co.nz/
This site is aimed at provding information and resources to young New Zealanders suffering from depression and other Mental illnesses. This site is extremely interactive, offering celebrity navigators, chatrooms, mulitmedia, information and personal stories.
2. http://www.mentalhealth.com/
Provides statistics, information and links for those wanting to find out specific information relating to the topic of Mental Health. Suitable for both sufferers and professionals. Provides an online shop, newletters, library and opportunity for users to blog.
3. http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/
Resource and information services. Provides information on campaigns, awareness weeks, policys, media and news. Offers links to other sites, disscussion boards, self diagnosis (online assesments), glossary online magazine.
Why do people use these online community's?
Snippet of Information provided by the site: http://www.thelowdown.co.nz/
Ethical issues?
1. http://www.thelowdown.co.nz/
This site is aimed at provding information and resources to young New Zealanders suffering from depression and other Mental illnesses. This site is extremely interactive, offering celebrity navigators, chatrooms, mulitmedia, information and personal stories.
2. http://www.mentalhealth.com/
Provides statistics, information and links for those wanting to find out specific information relating to the topic of Mental Health. Suitable for both sufferers and professionals. Provides an online shop, newletters, library and opportunity for users to blog.
3. http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/
Resource and information services. Provides information on campaigns, awareness weeks, policys, media and news. Offers links to other sites, disscussion boards, self diagnosis (online assesments), glossary online magazine.
Why do people use these online community's?
- Become more informed of Mental illness
- Gives comfort to sufferers
- To share experiences
- Seeking a sense of community
- Increased recognition
- Sense of efficacy
- Users may not want to talk to someone in person, but prefer to stay anonymous
Snippet of Information provided by the site: http://www.thelowdown.co.nz/
There are a number of treatments that have been shown
to work in overcoming depression.
This Fact Sheet tells you more about them.
The most important thing is to fi nd a treatment that
works for you.
This will depend on your level of depression, and what
you feel most comfortable with.
Self help strategies
If you have mild or moderate depression, there are some
simple things you can try.
• A regular routine of physical exercise has been found
to be the most helpful. Getting fresh air and sunlight
every day is good for improving sleep problems
as well
• Other natural therapies that help you to relax include
yoga, meditation/breathing exercises, massage
therapy and acupuncture
• There are some good self-help books available
on coping with depression. Check out your library or
bookstore, or see what people have recommended on
The Lowdown message board
• Remember to avoid alcohol or recreational drugs,
as these can make depression worse.
Talking therapies
In general, psychological and family therapies
(counselling) are the main treatment for depression in
children and young people. Psychological treatments are
also known as ‘talking therapies’. They work by changing
negative patterns of thinking or sorting out relationship
problems.
Psychological treatments can help to:
• Speed your recovery
• Prevent depression from recurring
• Identify ways to manage the illness and stay well.
Different kinds of talking therapies are provided by
counsellors (sometimes also called “therapists”),
psychologists, psychiatrists and other health
professionals.
Two that are known to work for depression are:
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a programme
of counselling which helps to change negative
thought patterns. It works on the basis that the way
we think affects the way we feel. For more on CBT
check out
getting sorted
Fact Sheet 8 – Problem solving and • Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) – this has a focus on
improving relationships, and how we relate to
other people.
fact sheet
Options for dealing
with depression
Medications
People who are depressed often feel physically unwell.
Anti-depressant drug treatments can relieve the
physical symptoms of depression.
If you have depression, your doctor may think it is useful
to start you on anti-depressant medication. This may
happen if your depression is severe, or other treatments
haven’t worked, or are not available in your area.
Your doctor will provide you with information about the
medicine, how to take it, and possible side effects. Drug
treatments for depression are not addictive, but like any
drug they can have side-effects (such as nausea and
headaches).
Anti-depressant medications can only be prescribed by a
GP or other medical doctor.
Some things to remember about treatment
• Depression is a very common medical condition
• Effective treatments are available, and it’s important
to get help as soon as possible
• Counselling therapies are the recommended
‘fi rst-line’ of treatment for children and young people
• In some cases a doctor may think an antidepressant
is also necessary
• Your doctor should provide you (and your family)
with clear information about the pros and cons of
taking antidepressants, and the steps to take in a
crisis situation or emergency
• Regular check-ups are important
• With the right treatment, the vast majority of young
people make a full recovery from depression.
Getting help
Most people recover from depression and enjoy life
again. But delaying treatments may delay recovery
– so it’s important to take that fi rst step.
4
To fi nd out more:
If you want to chat about how you’re feeling, or you’ve
got any questions, you can;
Text
The Lowdown team for free on 5626. Email
www.thelowdown.co.nz. You can also ask them to
give you a call back if you want to talk on the phone.
The Lowdown team in the Chat section of Call
the Depression Helpline on 0800 111 757 Recommended sites.
These sites are also worth checking out:
www.depression.org.nz
information about depression
www.ybblue.com.au
beyondblue’s website for young people
moodgym.anu.edu.au
A free online Cognitive Behaviour
Therapy treatmentEthical issues?
- validity of information being shared
- Who manages the community?
- Misuse
- Control over information
- Anonymity
When you’re depressed, it can seem like you’ll never
feel happy again. But there is light at the end of the
tunnel… and the fi rst step is getting the help you
need.
Video production
What is YouTube and what are the services that it provides its users?
YouTube is a video sharing website on which users can upload, share, and view videos. YouTube uses Adobe Flash Video to display a wide variety of video content including movie clips and music videos, as well as amateur content such as video blogging and short orignial videos. Most of the content on YouTube has been uploaded by individuals, although media companys inlcuding BBC, CBS offer some of their material through the site. Unregistered users may use the site by watching videos but registered users may upload videos (unlimited number). R18 content is only available to registered users.
(sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube)
Services offered by YouTube:
YouTube is a video sharing website on which users can upload, share, and view videos. YouTube uses Adobe Flash Video to display a wide variety of video content including movie clips and music videos, as well as amateur content such as video blogging and short orignial videos. Most of the content on YouTube has been uploaded by individuals, although media companys inlcuding BBC, CBS offer some of their material through the site. Unregistered users may use the site by watching videos but registered users may upload videos (unlimited number). R18 content is only available to registered users.
(sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube)
Services offered by YouTube:
- Uploading of content
- Worldwide view and access
- User comments
- Uploading of 3D video
- Ability to use service on apple products, cellphones and playstaytion
- 15 mintues of content allowed
Most popular YouTube video: Charlie bit my finger.........
To Provide an example of how YouTube offers information i have chosen to post 5 different videos relating to the one topic of Mental Health. This topic was chosen as it was my first fieldwork placement.
OT persepctive and intervention
What is Mental Health?
A personal experience with depression
New Zealand ad for depression (John Kerwin)
Mental illness stigma
Thursday 7 April 2011
Linking blogs of interest
Today's class tutorial was focused on how to link blogs, locate relevant blogs and how to post comments. It is amazing to find out how much information there is out there relating to your topic of interest! Loads of personal comments and perspectives.
Check out a comment i posted on the counseling resource site !
Check out a comment i posted on the counseling resource site !
Tuesday 5 April 2011
Digital Imaging
On my journey to becoming more familiar with technology our task as OT students was to investigate the digital camera and learn how to use it effectivley. This post will include pictures taken by myself in our tutorial, general information on storing and uploading and how digital imaging relates to Occupational Therapy practice :)
Types of digital imagery technology
With digital cameras comes learning how to use them and all the new functions you need to become accustomed to!
"A new technology is rarely superior to an old one in every feature"
- In summary this qoute is saying that old technology is the orginal backbone for new technology. for example a timeline of the communication as Information technology: Telegraph, Telephone, Chat rooms, blogs, video, webites (blogs,faebook) cellphones.....The same basic function still remains e.g. 'that the purpose is to communicate with others in a social context.
Today the invention of digital cameras was stilled derived from the old film technology, we want to capture memories and moments in time. What has changed is the application of tools.
Negatives and positives of digital cameras compared to old film technology:
Negatives
copyright/plagerisim (stealing of images)
consent for subject matter (does person want image to be distributed?)
Types of digital imagery technology
- Digital cameras
- video cameras
- laptops
- hand helds
- cellphones
With digital cameras comes learning how to use them and all the new functions you need to become accustomed to!
"A new technology is rarely superior to an old one in every feature"
- In summary this qoute is saying that old technology is the orginal backbone for new technology. for example a timeline of the communication as Information technology: Telegraph, Telephone, Chat rooms, blogs, video, webites (blogs,faebook) cellphones.....The same basic function still remains e.g. 'that the purpose is to communicate with others in a social context.
Today the invention of digital cameras was stilled derived from the old film technology, we want to capture memories and moments in time. What has changed is the application of tools.
Negatives and positives of digital cameras compared to old film technology:
Negatives
- complications with support systems and hardware
- additonal hardware
- More cost effecitve
- different opportunies and options (settings)
- smaller
- easy to quicly snap an image
- Automatic adjustment settings
- can upload to several editiing programs
copyright/plagerisim (stealing of images)
consent for subject matter (does person want image to be distributed?)
Sunday 3 April 2011
Information Technology and Ethical Issues
Technology can be defined as 'The total knowledge and skills available to any given society' (Colins Concise Dictionary, 1989).
If we go further and unpack this definition we begin to see that we has humans have become dependant on technology in daily life. For without technology what would we do? Some would find themselves struggling to survive without their ipod, laptop, cellphone? Ask the question: What would life be like without the availability of television? We have grown up with it, learnt from it, depended on it (a little too much perhaps?).
Information Technology is advancing at an insane speed! Click on the YouTube clip above to see what i mean...............
The generation I have grown up in has changed the way in which we communicate, it seems society now relies on Information technology to provide us with the ability to communicate with others and often replace the work of humans such as self checkouts. examples of IT may be: online chat (MSN), e-mail, Gaming, Facebook, My space, YouTube and Online dating sites (to name a few). It seems odd to now send letters or call someone, because of the social technology available to us.
The sources of information are multiple, such as various websites, computer programs and electronic resources.
"We live in a society exquisitely dependant on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology" - Carl Sagan
As a student i am exposed to new technologies relatively often. For studying the Internet has become a huge source of information due to its convenience, but can it be reliable? For example wikipedia is always an easy option to collect quick answers or definitions, but in fact this site is unsecured meaning that anyone who is anyone has the ability to change and alter any information written on the site.
As for my learning the Otago Polytechnic Occupational therapy department uses a online computer program called 'moodle'. This way of learning is online based and is the place where we listen to our lectures. This is different to universities around the world who still have set times and face-to-face lectures with their teachers. Using this online resource has provided me with the opportunity to become familiar using such information technology.
Limitations of information Technology for myself personally would be the cost factor. Many new technologies are at the higher price range which for students can become a problem :( Other factors which may prove negative about IT is the stress of keeping up with all the new products on offer such as I-pads, I-phones, Twitter etc, this all requires time! And why have we become so dependant on Technology? If it breaks down or becomes 'old' then what will we do...throw it away? As with IT something new is always better.
Information Technology and Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapists are problem solvers, and often Technology assists in solving problems. This is through using digital tools to enhance our work, manipulate the environment or adapt the activity to suit the client.
Because being occupied is the essence of being human we associate technology with 'occupying ourselves'. Lets face it we do spend a lot of our time using technology. This is where OT's come in .... we are interested in the occupations of our clients. We want to choose occupational medium that is relevant to today's society e.g. technology if we are going to be working in peoples lives, we need to know about the occupations of a persons life, therefore if that is technology we must learn it! Often the problem lies within the reliability of the technology, will it help our clients, will it be effective and positive for them, and do we need it or: matching the tools for the right job.
www.thelowdown.co.nz is an interactive website offered to clients who suffer from depression. It is a way for the client to become independent in using the technology themselves and deciding what they feel is useful. It provides power for the client and exposes them to different ways of overcoming their concerns. Visit this site to get an idea of how this happens.
Ethical implications involved in Information Technology
Intellecutal property in basic defintion addresses issues of ideas prtection and copyright. an example of this would be if a therapist has created a blog or article it may be of benefit to protect it so ideas are not copied or misinterpreted.
Social justice
For a quick definition click on the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice
Social Justice refers to an equality in society. In OT practice it is important for us as professionals to treat each individual client with respect, equal opportunities and provide fair treatment.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saxarocks/3071057085/
Informed consent
Informed consent is a legal procedure to ensure that a patient or client knows all of the risks and costs involved in a treatment. The elements of informed consents include informing the client of the nature of the treatment, ppossible alternative treatments, and the potential risks and benefits of the treatment.
In order for informed consent to be considered valid, the client must be competent and the consent should be given voluntarily. Retrived from http://psychology.about.com/od/iindex/g/def_informedcon.htm
Informed consent is vital for working with clients. it is important to ask clients for consent if the therapist decides to use their work as examples or references. Also when citing an article it may be nessecary to use informed consent due to copyright.
References
Willcok,A.A (1993). A Theory of Human Need for Occupation. Journal of Occupational Science: Australia 17-24
If we go further and unpack this definition we begin to see that we has humans have become dependant on technology in daily life. For without technology what would we do? Some would find themselves struggling to survive without their ipod, laptop, cellphone? Ask the question: What would life be like without the availability of television? We have grown up with it, learnt from it, depended on it (a little too much perhaps?).
Information Technology is advancing at an insane speed! Click on the YouTube clip above to see what i mean...............
The generation I have grown up in has changed the way in which we communicate, it seems society now relies on Information technology to provide us with the ability to communicate with others and often replace the work of humans such as self checkouts. examples of IT may be: online chat (MSN), e-mail, Gaming, Facebook, My space, YouTube and Online dating sites (to name a few). It seems odd to now send letters or call someone, because of the social technology available to us.
The sources of information are multiple, such as various websites, computer programs and electronic resources.
"We live in a society exquisitely dependant on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology" - Carl Sagan
As a student i am exposed to new technologies relatively often. For studying the Internet has become a huge source of information due to its convenience, but can it be reliable? For example wikipedia is always an easy option to collect quick answers or definitions, but in fact this site is unsecured meaning that anyone who is anyone has the ability to change and alter any information written on the site.
As for my learning the Otago Polytechnic Occupational therapy department uses a online computer program called 'moodle'. This way of learning is online based and is the place where we listen to our lectures. This is different to universities around the world who still have set times and face-to-face lectures with their teachers. Using this online resource has provided me with the opportunity to become familiar using such information technology.
Limitations of information Technology for myself personally would be the cost factor. Many new technologies are at the higher price range which for students can become a problem :( Other factors which may prove negative about IT is the stress of keeping up with all the new products on offer such as I-pads, I-phones, Twitter etc, this all requires time! And why have we become so dependant on Technology? If it breaks down or becomes 'old' then what will we do...throw it away? As with IT something new is always better.
Information Technology and Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapists are problem solvers, and often Technology assists in solving problems. This is through using digital tools to enhance our work, manipulate the environment or adapt the activity to suit the client.
Because being occupied is the essence of being human we associate technology with 'occupying ourselves'. Lets face it we do spend a lot of our time using technology. This is where OT's come in .... we are interested in the occupations of our clients. We want to choose occupational medium that is relevant to today's society e.g. technology if we are going to be working in peoples lives, we need to know about the occupations of a persons life, therefore if that is technology we must learn it! Often the problem lies within the reliability of the technology, will it help our clients, will it be effective and positive for them, and do we need it or: matching the tools for the right job.
www.thelowdown.co.nz is an interactive website offered to clients who suffer from depression. It is a way for the client to become independent in using the technology themselves and deciding what they feel is useful. It provides power for the client and exposes them to different ways of overcoming their concerns. Visit this site to get an idea of how this happens.
Ethical implications involved in Information Technology
- Legal and control issues
- relevance and necessity of information
- misuse of tools
- consent from clients to be videos, used as examples
- accuracy of information
Intellecutal property in basic defintion addresses issues of ideas prtection and copyright. an example of this would be if a therapist has created a blog or article it may be of benefit to protect it so ideas are not copied or misinterpreted.
Social justice
For a quick definition click on the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice
Social Justice refers to an equality in society. In OT practice it is important for us as professionals to treat each individual client with respect, equal opportunities and provide fair treatment.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saxarocks/3071057085/
Informed consent
Informed consent is a legal procedure to ensure that a patient or client knows all of the risks and costs involved in a treatment. The elements of informed consents include informing the client of the nature of the treatment, ppossible alternative treatments, and the potential risks and benefits of the treatment.
In order for informed consent to be considered valid, the client must be competent and the consent should be given voluntarily. Retrived from http://psychology.about.com/od/iindex/g/def_informedcon.htm
Informed consent is vital for working with clients. it is important to ask clients for consent if the therapist decides to use their work as examples or references. Also when citing an article it may be nessecary to use informed consent due to copyright.
References
Willcok,A.A (1993). A Theory of Human Need for Occupation. Journal of Occupational Science: Australia 17-24
Introduction!
Hi Everyone :) My name is Jaz a second year Occuaptional Therapy student studying in Dunedin new Zealand. This blog is part of our assesment for the course titled: 'Participation in Occupation 1'and provides OT students to create a blog which demonstrates our ability to produce an online resource with a focus on assistive technology in Occupational Therapy practice. You will find 8 different topics relating to technology which will provide detailed accounts of information, video's, images, audio and hyperlinks to assist my personal thoughts and opinions. Feel free to post comments and follow me on my technological Journey!!!!! xx
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