Distance+Learning

//This will be a resource of materials that are able to be accessed on the internet that could be helpful when planning teaching session or examples of the use of distance based methods that have potential to be used in practice.//
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Below are a few interesting pieces of literature I came accross when searching CINAHL for the assignment or for research for my dissertation. They are not specific to planning a teaching session but focus on distance education/learning barriers, learning in a virtual environment and developing web based learning programmes. Due to copyright laws I can only add a couple on here, but they are worth a read! ** Aften **

Magnussen, L. (2008). Applying the principles of significant learning in the e-learning environment. //Journal of Nursing Education, 47//(2), 82-86.

Stanton, S. (2001). Going the distance: developing shared web-based learning programmes. //Occupational Therapy International, 8//(2), 96-106.

Koerner, J. G. (2003). The virtues of the virtual world: enhancing the technology/knowledge professional interface for life-long learning. //Nursing Administration Quarterly, 27//(1), 9-17.

Galusha, J.M.Barriers to learning in distance education. This one is my favourite and makes some really interesting points.



Sanford JA; Jones M; Daviou P; Grogg K; Butterfield TAssistive Technology (ASSIST TECHNOL), 2004 Summer; 16(1): 43-53 (40 ref) This project investigated the use of televideo technology to provide remote home assessment services to patients prior to discharge so that they could function as independently as possible in their own homes after being discharged from a specialty clinic. An assessment protocol that could be implemented using video-conferencing technology was developed and feasibility of the remote assessment process was determined by validating it against the standard of practice, an in-home assessment by a home modifications specialist. Independent in-home and remote home assessments were completed by two occupational therapists who specialize in home modifications...... Findings suggest that remote telerehabilitation assessments have the potential to enable specialists to diagnose potential accessibility problems in home environments and prescribe appropriate modifications regardless of the location of the client, home, or specialist. //NB: have not read the full article but thought that this has interesting possiblities for assessment purposes in this instance.// Linda Have now located an article about this project - I see that it involves someone collecting information via pencil & paper and sending this on to the OT who as the consultant devises plans etc.. Can you do a home assessment without being there?? []

Jill here, I found the following site on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.([] It has information and a forum attached. Many of the forums I found were actually trying to sell products. Some had photos of the experts that are consulted (see []) but I was at times dubious of their comments. I think it's more of a challenge to find safe 'forum' type sites than info type sites. The following website has some good patient links that are coloured and back up what I say in my training sessions. I'll be adding this link to my pamphlets when I do a re print []

Hi all. There appears to be lots of health information forum sites. I searched Multiple Sclerosis. [] There is quite a lot of information here and it is divided into sections: basics/treatment/management/caregivers. There are also blogs, videos, webcasts and community discussion forums! . [] is another online community that allows clients to add own information of their experiences aswell as reading those of others. Another site h[|tp://www.mymsmyway.com/technology_solutions/dexterity_solutions.php] looks at tecnology available to facilitate clients using technology. Donna​

[] is a blog is written by Sandy who has been diagnosed with COPD and writes a personal account of her life living with the disease. It also provides links to others who also have COPD and who blog about their experiences of living with COPD. It also includes links to external resources. I also found this website [] Within the website you can find information on chronic diseases, complete self management quizzes, print factsheets and pamphlets, watch videos on the condition (including personal stories), explore treatment and medication options, access resources for clinical practitioners, and find both community and online support groups. I really like this website as it is incredibly comprehensive and has a real New Zealand focus.  (I couldn’t find on blackboard where to post the answers to the questions so I have posted the answers to the article questions here?). //Wiki’s and Blogs: - //Fewer technical boundaries. - Allows for sharing and building of knowledge through collaboration. //General: // “Misinformation” or “Misinfo(r)mediation” – Poor quality information available on the internet. Misunderstanding or misuse of information is also a concern e.g. those with low literacy or numeracy levels can interpret information differently due to the poor presentation and the skills of the learner. //Wikis and Blogs: // Can cause concern for learners who do not share the same ideas or opinions with the majority of others. Their input is not prioritised as highly as the more ‘popular’ ideas creating the ‘iceberg’ effect. - Information seeking behaviour is complex and often a combination of interactions between individual, environmental and social factors. - Individual characteristics, e.g. some may use information seeking as a coping strategy. - Motivation: Individuals rationalize decisions they make in relation to messages that evoke threat and fear, and in turn efficacy influences the ability to change The individuals’ goals and values are also a motivating factor. I like this modified version. It makes sense to use Kolb’s experiential cycle as a basis. As this is a cyclic process, individuals can use the experiences they have learnt from others and from reviewing information in the forums in the active experimentation stage, and if it does not work, it is appropriate to enter back into the cycle at the observation and reflection stage and continue the process through to get a different result or better treatment decision. From personal experience, I quite often will use the internet to seek information which is health related. Whilst not necessarily relying on other people to motivate change, I enjoy learning that others have had the same experience as myself.
 * Review of [|Lowdown Website]: **I actually did a review of this for my dissertation although my focus was more on the developmental issues rather than educational value, but still relevant I think? I have listed below what I had found (from a personal perspective) to be the strengths and weaknesses of the website.
 * Strengths = ** Content on the website is written in a language that is able to be read within a range of literacy levels. Contains a comprehensive list of strategies and information to help those with depression. Allows for communication through a variety of mediums including, but not limited to phone, email, txt, and chat forum. This is a great site for those who are information seeking and want access to clear, concise and dependable information.
 * Weaknesses = ** Seemed to target a younger audience, teenagers, young adults etc. Some of the comments on the chat forum made me question the legitimacy of some of the people who had posted and tended to put me off if I was going to post. It may have benefitted from including different categories for individuals to post e.g. 20’s 30’s etc in order not to discriminate against the older individuals who may be seeking information and help. Whilst being an interactive website is a good thing, it is only good if it is viewed using Flash rather than HTML. I wonder how many individuals actually have the ability to view using Flash which gives this greater interactive experience? It may discriminate against those who can’t access this type of web format. The website doesn’t provide information of the role of the professional in the lowdown team (e.g. consumer or psychologist or social worker?). This knowledge may be beneficial as there may be individuals who are seeking information and support from those who have been through the process or from a health professional. ** Aften ** <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">
 * <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">What do the authors indicate are the strengths and weaknesses of using WebC2 technologies? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Strengths: **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> //General:// - Facilitates communication.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Weaknesses: **
 * <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">What factors influence people’s information seeking behaviours? **
 * <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Evaluate the modified version of Kolb’s model for experiential learning (Table 1). Use your own experiences (or reports from clients – ie. Someone who has accessed web sites for education re health issues) eg. Was the need to find information spurred on by a diagnosis? Did the exploration results in a change in behaviour? **
 * Aften **