THE EVOLUTION OF AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY COMPETENCY ASSIGNMENT: LEARNING THEORY MEETS COLLOBORATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Background: Competent health care encompasses quality and accountability. McConnell, (2001) describes competence as capacity to perform a set skill while competency addresses actual performance. The American Occupational... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Competent health care encompasses quality and accountability. McConnell, (2001) describes competence as capacity to perform a set skill while competency addresses actual performance. The American Occupational Therapy Association (2015) describes standards guiding continuing competence. Occupational therapy students are required to learn basic skills and establish competency throughout their formal education.
Educational Philosophy/theory:
Learning through teaching, an adult learning approach, utilizes the concept of teaching others to enhance topic insight and knowledge (Grzega & Schoner, 2008). Learners have opportunities to be creative, self-initiate, develop communication skills and self-confidence. This “hands-on” and constructivist learning, evidence based approach is a best-practice method for teaching new skills (Cobb & Bowers, 1991, Cranton, 1994, Edmonds-Cady & Sosuiski, 2012, Rothwell, 2008).
Educational approach(es) used:
This assignment, initially created for a management course at American International College in the occupational therapy (OT) curriculum, expanded following collaboration of colleagues from another institution. Once incorporated at Grand Valley State University, in an OT management course, a digital component was added. The occupational therapy faculty collaborated with GVSU's instructional design department creating an interdepartmental assignment which could be easily shared.

Evaluation:
The final project, digital competencies, demonstrated students’ expertise in a particular skill. Students provided qualitative feedback to assignment related questions. The positive responses and constructive feedback was useful to further develop the course.

Application to Education and /or practice:
In summary, inter-university collaboration, application of learning theory and technology, transformed this assignment. This allowed greater student comprehension of management functions, and the development and implementation of practical skills.