
Exploring Occupational Therapy in Health Careers
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as healthcare advocates, explore and communicate the impact and significance of occupational therapy on individual and community health, while considering the diverse factors that influence its practice and future developments?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What is occupational therapy and why is it important?
- What are the key principles and practices of occupational therapy?
- How does occupational therapy impact individuals with disabilities or injuries?
- In what ways does occupational therapy contribute to overall health and well-being?
- What career paths are available within the field of occupational therapy and what do they entail?
- How do cultural, social, and economic factors influence the application of occupational therapy?
- What are the most common challenges faced by occupational therapists and how are they addressed?
- How do advancements in technology affect the practice of occupational therapy?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand the fundamental principles and practices of occupational therapy and its importance to health and wellness.
- Explore the impact of occupational therapy on individuals with disabilities or injuries and its contributions to overall well-being.
- Analyze cultural, social, and economic factors that influence the practice and development of occupational therapy.
- Investigate career paths within the occupational therapy field and the roles they entail.
- Examine the challenges faced by occupational therapists and strategies to overcome them.
- Evaluate how advancements in technology are transforming occupational therapy practices.
- Effectively communicate research findings on occupational therapy to a broader audience.
Health Education Standards
Common Core State Standards - English Language Arts
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsInteractive Workshop: Adaptive Tools
Students engage with various adaptive tools and devices used in occupational therapy, exploring their design, use, and impact on daily living through a hands-on workshop.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Occupational Therapy Explorer
In this initial activity, students will dive deep into understanding what occupational therapy is and why it is crucial for individual and community health.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written summary and personal reflection on the importance of occupational therapy.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with Health Education Standard 10.1 (Analyze the impact of occupational therapy on health and wellness) and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2 (Determine the central ideas of a primary source).Cultural Perspectives Analyst
Students will explore how cultural, social, and economic factors influence the application of occupational therapy, fostering a deeper understanding of its global relevance.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA chart or infographic illustrating how diverse factors influence occupational therapy practices.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with Health Education Standard 10.2 (Evaluate the diverse factors influencing occupational therapy practice) and supports understanding of cultural impacts.Impact Story Collector
This activity encourages students to gather and present stories of individuals who have benefitted from occupational therapy, highlighting the personal impact on their lives.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA report or presentation sharing impactful occupational therapy stories.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with Health Education Standard 10.1 (Analyze the impact of occupational therapy on health and wellness) and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.4 (Present information clearly and logically).Future of Occupational Therapy Innovator
In this forward-thinking activity, students will investigate how advancements in technology transform occupational therapy practices.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation or research paper on technological advancements in occupational therapy.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with learning goal about evaluating technological transformations in occupational therapy and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2 (Summarize key developments over the course of a text).Advocacy Campaign Developer
Students will create an advocacy campaign to communicate the significance and impact of occupational therapy to a broader audience.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn advocacy campaign designed to communicate the importance of occupational therapy.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.4 (Present information clearly) and promotes practical application of communication skills.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioOccupational Therapy Portfolio Rubric
Comprehension and Research Skills
Evaluation of the student's ability to research, understand, and summarize key ideas related to occupational therapy.Understanding of Occupational Therapy Concepts
Measures the depth of understanding exhibited in explaining occupational therapy principles and practices.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates sophisticated understanding of occupational therapy concepts with detailed and insightful explanations.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates thorough understanding of key occupational therapy concepts with clear explanations.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging understanding of occupational therapy concepts with basic explanations.
Beginning
1 PointsShows initial understanding with minimal explanation of occupational therapy concepts.
Research and Data Evaluation
Assesses the ability to collect, evaluate, and synthesize information from multiple sources.
Exemplary
4 PointsExpertly evaluates and synthesizes data from a variety of sources into a cohesive and insightful presentation.
Proficient
3 PointsCompetently evaluates and synthesizes data to present clear and coherent insights.
Developing
2 PointsPartially synthesizes data with some inconsistencies in interpretation and presentation.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to synthesize data, with incomplete or inaccurate presentation.
Communication and Presentation Skills
Assessment of clarity, organization, and effectiveness in presenting information aligned with project goals.Clarity and Organization of Presentation
Evaluates how effectively information is presented, including structure and clarity of material.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents information with exceptional clarity and organization, engaging the audience with detailed insights.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents information clearly and logically, maintaining audience engagement with relevant details.
Developing
2 PointsPresents information with some organization and clarity, but may be unclear or lack coherence in parts.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles with organization and clarity, leading to audience confusion or loss of interest.
Use of Visual Aids and Materials
Assesses the effectiveness and creativity in using visual aids to support communication goals.
Exemplary
4 PointsUses highly effective and creative visual aids that complement and enhance the presentation significantly.
Proficient
3 PointsEmploys effective and relevant visual aids that aid audience understanding.
Developing
2 PointsUses some visual aids, but their effectiveness and relevance may vary.
Beginning
1 PointsRelies minimally on visual aids, which fail to support or clarify the presentation.
Engagement and Personal Reflection
Examines student ability to reflect personally and engage thoughtfully with the project content.Personal Reflection and Insight
Evaluates the depth of personal insight and reflection demonstrated in student work.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides profound personal reflection and insight, showing a deep personal connection to the material.
Proficient
3 PointsOffers thoughtful personal reflection and insight that reveals a meaningful connection to the project material.
Developing
2 PointsShows some personal reflection, but lacks depth or connection with the project material.
Beginning
1 PointsExhibits minimal personal reflection with a limited connection to the project material.