Confessions of a invisable blogger

As you may have spotted, I've taken rather a considerable break from writing this blog! I'm not going to bore you with lots of excuses...but instead will just say "I'm back"!!!!

Recently lots of exciting things have got underway...the new academic year has started for many - and I've got trips to Derby and Oxford planned to see the new 1st year OT students. Strictly Come Dancing and X-Factor went head-to-head in a ratings challenge, London Fashion week showcased this seasons latest trends, the party conference season got underway with the Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth....to name but a few! Oh...and obviously I relaunched this blog!

Starting new things can both be scary and exciting....and depending on what you are doing they will bring a unique set of challenges and rewards. Personally, I think being contestant on Strictly Come Dancing would be far more scary than providing a presentation to over 250 people!

Good luck to all the 1st year OT students I meet on my travels around the UK over the next few weeks and months. Sorry I don't get to talk to your properly...and often breeze in and out of the lecture theatre within an hour! I wish you all well with your studies and practice placements. Some things may feel a bit scary and daunting at times but it is worth it...and you have the support of your tutors and professional body.

Watch this space

I've just returned from my trip visiting students at the University of Salford and an event for students at Leeds Met, the University of Bradford and the University of Huddersfield. At the end of last week I enjoyed a day at the University of Northampton! So I've clocked up a few train miles recently.
Are you celebrating OT week in true OT style!? I'm going to give Wikiflash a go shortly - visit the Salford Blog for more info.
Tomorrow I'm back at COT, attending the Learning and Development Board meeting (LDB). This is one of the "functional" boards of the organisation with a representative from the board sitting on the COT council. I will present my paper, highlighting the projects I'm currently working on. Members of the board will provide feedback on these projects and typically provide some useful suggestions - this structure enables members to ultimately steer the work that goes on at COT.
Watch this space about the latest news on the 2009 student conference.
I'm just awaiting a couple of details to be confirmed -
but will be announcing the date and venue very soon.

Google, Yahoo, AltaVista....OT?

I had a mini light bulb moment tonight...that I had to share! I was reading one of Yerxa's articles over dinner (sad but true) and spotted a wonderful quote! In the context of explaining the OT role she stated,

"we are 'search engines' for potential".

I thought it was a wonderfully descriptive statement, made of only a few words, that has so much relevance within today's web based culture. What makes it even more thought provoking is that she wrote it in 1998 - so long before the concept of an entirely online distance learning MSc in Advanced OT would have been considered even possible!? As OT's we want to place emphasis on ability not disability - and I thought this was brilliantly encapsulated in this simply quote. Maybe something to ponder next time you are using Google.....?

Waving at you

A photo from the Bangor and Cardiff University student conference in Gregynog. Thank you to all the students and lecturers for such an interesting and enjoyable day.

Popty Ping

I'm back from a great couple of days visiting students in Wales. The Student Research Conference for accelerated students from Bangor and Cardiff University of was a real success. The students did an excellent job presenting their research proposals and the 1st years in the audience were so supportive and maximised the opportunity to pick up tips for their turn next year. The venue, Gregynog, is an amazing half timber building near Newtown, and the fact the event is residential enabled the students an staff teams from the two universities to come together and swap stories and network over dinner (and glass of wine!).

On Thursday morning, I headed off to Wrexham to visit the students on part-time programme at Glyndwr University. I wish I could have stayed for their afternoon session as it was the OT philosophy - which would came in very handy for my assignment! However, I was back on train...and completed my 8th train journey in approximately 48 hours - with only a 6 minute delay overall!!!

While I was away I discovered the Welsh for microwave is "Popty Ping" - there is no going back for me...it shall be the Popty Ping for evermore!