Challenges of teaching occupation: introduction of an occupation focused teaching tool

Howarth, Joan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8769-6607 , Morris, Karen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9272-4994 and Cox, Diane ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2691-6423 (2017) Challenges of teaching occupation: introduction of an occupation focused teaching tool. Journal of Occupational Science, 25 (1). pp. 142-148.

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Abstract

Occupational science is of importance to multiple disciplines due to its potential to contribute to understandings of complex social issues. “Occupation”, as a key concept of occupational science, is recognised as being highly complex, making it challenging for students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the concept. Terminology of occupational science literature has been noted at times as using the terms occupation, purposeful activity and activity interchangeably, which further adds to the challenge of teaching the concept. This paper explores evolving definitions of occupation, challenges this evolution has created within education, and the potential use of occupation as a threshold concept. Consideration of a selection of pedagogic methods used in teaching the concept of occupation is briefly explored. The paper concludes with identification of a newly developed occupation-focused teaching tool as a proposed alternative approach to teaching the concept of occupation. The teaching tool was originally developed to teach occupation as a discrete concept, rather than the therapeutic use of occupation as taught in occupational therapy education. The tool is an analogy for occupation, and has utility in supporting the transformation of students’ understanding of the concept of occupation, commensurate to understandings of occupational science.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Journal of Occupational Science
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis (Routledge) / Association of Occupational Science
ISSN:	2158-1576
Related URL(s):	Organisation
Departments:	Academic Departments > Health, Psychology & Social Studies (HPSS) > Rehabilitation Professional Services > Research Office & Graduate School (ROGS)
Additional Information:	Access to manuscript kindly enabled by UDORA, the University of Derby's online research archive.
Depositing User:	Anna Lupton
Date Deposited:	17 Nov 2017 15:58
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2024 18:45
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/3419

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