Curriculum Design

LEARNER

• Adults have a natural potential for learning.
•  Learning is a cooperative and collaborative process.
• Learning involves the whole person including feelings and intellect.
• Learners are enabled when given respect and acceptance.
• Integrated learning requires that activities are meaningful and authentic
• Learning is effective when individual learning styles are recognized and appreciated.
• Personal discovery enhances learning.

SOCIETY EXPECTATIONS OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS

• Adherence to ethical standards.
• Demonstration of empathy and compassion.
• Commitment to continued competence.
•  Collaboration with other providers.

PROFESSIONAL VALUES

• Beneficience
• Nonmaleficence
• Autonomy
• Privacy
• Confidentiality
• Duties
• Justice
• Veracity
• Fidelity

EACH INDIVIDUAL IS A UNIQUE AND VALUED HUMAN BEING THEREFORE WE BELIEVE THE FOLLOWING:

• Human occupation is determined by the interactions between the person and the environment. 

• Human occupations involve interaction of mind, body, spirit, culture, and society.

• Human life includes a process of continuous adaptation

• Engagement in meaningful and purposeful occupation is necessary for health and well-being in human beings.

BELIEFS ABOUT THE THERAPEUTIC VALUE OF OCCUPATION

• Enabling individuals to participate in their chosen occupations is the goal of occupational therapy.

• Engagement in occupation is motivated by social and physical contexts,  reinforcement, and drive toward mastery of the environment.

• Occupation and activity are both the goal and the means of occupational therapy.

• As an end goal or a means to the goal, occupation must be purposeful and meaningful.

• The meaning of an activity or occupation resides in the individual, relates to family and the cultural experiences, and connects mind and body.

• Occupation as a therapeutic means allows adaptation to occur.

• Meaningful activities are those that the individual views as important, match perceived social roles, are viewed as important, are maintained in the individual’s repertoire of activities, and relate to life satisfaction. 

• Occupational therapy is based on the belief that the organizing, self-fulfilling characteristics of occupations/activities make them important mechanisms of adaptation. 

CONTENT

• Theoretical constructs
• Ethics
• Clinical reasoning
• Professional behaviors
• Body function and structures
• Impairment, disability, health problems
• Activity limitations, participation restrictions
• Prevention, health, wellness and safety.
• Occupational development and behavior
• Society and physical environments
• Occupational analysis
• Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention
• Practice domains and systems
• Communication
• Management, supervision and consultation
• Research

METHODS

• Lecture/discussing
• Problem based learning
• Case history method
• Small group and individual projects
• Clinical practica
• Fieldwork II
• Oral reports and presentation
• Behavioral analysis
• Portfolio and self awareness exercises
• Task analysis
• Application papers
• Service learning
• Self directed learning
• Peer review
• Formative evaluation
• Reflection and journaling

 
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES/ LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

• Books, journals, printed materials
• Computer labs
• Research I library
• Internet connected links
• Web-based instruction
• IADL labs
• Medical center learning environments
• Cadaver lab
• CSEAC lab
• Test and assessment library
• Toy and technology library

EVALUATION

• Student Evaluation
o Literature review and analysis
o Written synthesis of content
o Research and analysis papers
o Clinical journals
o Professional documentation of evaluation and intervention
o Program development plans
o Lab practicals
o Objective examination
o Essay examination
o Oral presentation
o Professional behavior
o Fieldwork evaluation
o Portfolio
o Peer evaluation
o Self assessment

Program evaluation
o Employer survey
o Graduate survey of employment
o Advisory Board
o Analysis of certification examination results.
o Course evaluations
o Professional behaviors
o Instructor evaluation
o Student evaluation of Fieldwork
o Student evaluation of program

EXTERNAL VARIABLES

Students: preparation and expectations
• Professional
o ACOTE Standards
o NBCOT requirements
o Current practice
• Societal
o Legislative changes
o Health care changes
o School systems needs
o Long term care changes
o Research funding
o Aging trends
o Population diversity
o Liability and litigation issues
o Standards for consumer privacy (HIPAA and FERPA)

• State of Ohio
o Board of Regents
o Licensure
o State budget
• University
o Available faculty lines
o Operating budget
o Student/faculty ratio
o Work load requirements
o SAMP/COM setting within university
o Tenure requirements
o Institutional Review Board
o Rising standards of a Research I University
School