Educational Leadership: Essential Questions-Doorways to Understanding

Background: Are occupational therapy practitioners prepared to ask essential questions that guide our understandings of human occupation as a determinant of health? Participants learn the results of analysis of key... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Are occupational therapy practitioners prepared to ask essential questions that guide our understandings of human occupation as a determinant of health? Participants learn the results of analysis of key professional standards and their relevance to education and continuing competence.
Educational Philosophy or theory:
As demands increase for utilization of evidence-based, occupation-centred occupational therapy, practitioners and educators benefit from utilization of professional standards. At the same time, standards benefit from critical analysis to ensure relevance and timeliness to the communities we serve.
Pedagogy / educational approach used:
According to Wiggins & McTighe (2005, p. 107) essential questions are used to facilitate transfer of learning by pushing us to look for familiar patterns, connect ideas, and consider useful strategies when faced with novel challenges. Essential questions are used to help the learner achieve greater focus, understanding, and efficacy.
Evaluation:
Using critical analysis techniques the author analysed the 2013 ACOTE Standards for a doctoral-degree-level Educational Program for the Occupational Therapist.
Application to Education and /or practice:
In this session participants are guided to consider how professionally relevant standards can improve our ability to ask essential questions that influence our deepest beliefs, to reflect on our thinking and to move us to push boundaries and enact real change.
References
1. G. Wiggins, & J. McTighe (2005). Understanding by Design. (2nd ed). Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ.
2. Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. (2011) ‘Occupational Therapy Educational Standards
and Interpretive Guide’ {Online}. http://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/
EducationCareers/Accredit/Standards/
2011-Standards-and-Interpretive-Guide.pdf
(Accessed: 27 October 2015).