USING DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES TO TRANSFORM KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER: THE OT24VX EXPERIENCE

Background: Access to information and sharing best practice contributes to the provision of quality services (Hamilton et al 2014), however many occupational therapists are unable to attend professional development events due... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Access to information and sharing best practice contributes to the provision of quality services (Hamilton et al 2014), however many occupational therapists are unable to attend professional development events due to financial and time constraints.
Disruptive technologies (Christensen et al 2011) have transformed when, how and with whom knowledge can be shared and led to exponential growth in global knowledge sharing (Hook et al 2014). The Occupational Therapy 24-hour Virtual Exchange (OT24Vx) was launched in 2010 and harnessed the power of digital technology to create the first free fully online occupational therapy conference. This paper describes how the approach used by OT24Vx could be replicated in a range of practice and education settings globally.
Educational Philosophy or theory:
Disruptive innovation theory contends that digital technology has transformed education into a product and/or service that is “simple, affordable, and convenient and serves many” (Christensen et al 2011, p2). OT24Vx has simplified the delivery mode and improved affordability of attending a conference whilst also building global communities of practice.
Pedagogy / educational approach(es) used:
Using digital technology, OT24Vx enables multi-relational learning (Schaber, 2014) through sharing stories among practitioners, students, service recipients and/or family members.
Evaluation:
An average of 350 participants from 30+ countries have attended the OT24Vx annually. Participants report they value networking and learning from and with global colleagues.
Application to Education and /or practice:
OT24Vx demonstrates how disruptive technologies have transformed knowledge transfer practices. The approach could be replicated in both education and practice settings globally.