1. iDeal Education:
Entry-Level MOT
Angie Boisselle, OTR, ATP
July 28, 2012
We envision that occupational therapy is a powerful, widely recognized, science-driven, and
evidence-based profession with a globally connected and diverse workforce meeting society’s
occupational needs. AOTA, 2007
3. Our Deep Beliefs
• Humans are active and social beings (Foundation of OT,
Participation)
• People of all abilities have the right to participate (Disability
Research, Access)
• It is the responsibility of society to ensure all people have the
tools they need to participate (Evidence-based Practice,
Communication, Advocacy)
• Occupational therapists are responsible for the direction of the
profession (Policy, Business, Promotion)
• Education should be innovative, dynamic and collaborative
(Active Learning,Technology, Trends)
“If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow”
John Dewey
4. Philosophy
• Humans are active beings and seek
participation in occupation throughout
life. This program will foster
occupational beliefs shared by the
OT AOTA Philosophy and promote
progressive life-long learning in our
students and faculty through research,
scholarship, collaboration and
advocacy.
An academic program will uniquely address a specific set of social trends and/or needs viewed through
the lens of the philosophical base of the profession. AOTA, 2009b
6. Goals
Our students will:
• Become generalists in occupational therapy
• Be knowledgable about occupational therapy through a life span
• Articulate occupation-based theory and evidence based practice
• Become an advocate for those we serve and the profession
• Uphold occupational therapy ethics
• Contribute to and be knowledgeable in research
• Be prepared to sit for the national certification exam with the Nation
al Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy
ACOTE, 2008
The principle goal of education is to create men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply
what other generations have done. Jean Piaget
7. Student Expectations
Our program seeks to foster:
• Autonomy and accountability
• Innovation and creativity
• Empathy and compassion
• Adaptability and resiliency
• Active, engaged learning
AOTA, 2009a/b, ACOTE, 2008
“The need to know the capital of Florida died when my phone learned the answer. Rather, the students of tomorrow need to be
able to think creatively: they will need to learn on their own, adapt to new challenges and innovate on-the-fly.”
Anthony Chivetta, High School Student in Missouri
8. Faculty
Our faculty will be:
• Balanced in Research, Scholarship,
and Innovation
• Majority full-time professors
• Licensed occupational therapists
• Educated with a Master’s degree
(1/2 have Doctorate)
• Experts in teaching
ACOTE, 2008
“You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself.”
Galileo Galilei
9. Student-Centered Curriculum
Our curriculum will foster:
• Students interests and the
real-world experiences
• Diversity and
independence
• Teacher is the facilitator
• Balanced assessment of
learning: self, peer and
teacher
AOTA, 2009b
11. Stimulating Instruction
Our instruction will include :
• Classes taught using a variety of formats to best
accommodate for diverse learning styles and culture
• Hybrid (on-line and classroom-based learning)
Classes
• Innovative Technology--on-line labs with virtual
learning experiences; social media; tele-health;
distance communication
• Simulation, real-world learning and performance labs
to provide more opportunity for practice and inter-
professional collaboration
12. Fieldwork Sites
Our fieldwork sites will support:
• Occupation-based practice
• Advocacy for those we serve
• Promotion of the profession
• International and non-traditional opportunities
• Inter-professional collaboration
13. Edge of Innovation
Our program promotes higher
education trends:
Global Classrooms
Thinning Walls
Open Access
14. Resources
American Occupational Therapy Association, 2009a. Blueprint for entry-level education. American Journal
of Occupational Therapy, 64(1). 186-203. doi: 10.5014/ajot.64.1.186.
American Occupational Therapy Association, 2009b. Occupational Therapy Model Curriculum. Retrieved
from: http://www.aota.org/Educate/EdRes/COE/Other-Education-Documents/OT-Model- Curriculum.aspx
American Occupational Therapy Association, 2009c. Philosophy of occupational therapy education. Retrieved from:
http://www.aota.org/educate/edres/coe/coedocs/statements/41088.aspx?ft=.pdf
American Occupational Therapy Association, 2007. AOTA’s centennial vision and executive summary.
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61, 613–614.
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, 2008. Accreditation Standards for a Master's-Degree-Level
Educational Program for the Occupational Therapist. Retrieved from:
http://www.aota.org/Educate/Accredit/StandardsReview.aspx
Vincent, T., 2009. Education and technology quotes. Retrieved from: http://www.slideshare.net/tonyvincent/education-technology-quotes
*Images from Google images