Introduction to Occupational Therapy (10299.2)

Required texts

List of recommended texts/reading:

Required and recommended readings per week are listed on Canvas (UC Learn).

The following text books are available through the UC Library:

Brown, T., Bourke-Taylor, H., Isbel, S., Cordier, R., & Gustafsson, L. (Eds.). (2021). Occupational therapy in Australia: professional and practice issues (2nd ed.). Routledge. 

Curtin, M., Egan, M., & Adams, J. (Eds.) (2017). Occupational therapy for people experiencing illness, injury or impairment: Promoting occupation and participation. (7th ed.) Elsevier.

Egan, M. & Restall, G. (Eds). (2022). Promoting occupational participation: Collaborative relationship-focused occupational therapy. 10^th Canadian occupational therapy guidelines. Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.

Gillen, G., & Brown, C. (Eds). (2023). Willard and Spackman's occupational therapy. (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Artificial intelligence

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The GenAI for Students Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI.

Assessment Format

Unless otherwise advised in the assessment instructions, written assessment pieces must conform to the following requirements:

• Cover sheet should include the assessment title, student number and word count as specified by the assessment. You should not include your name on the cover sheet.
• Font size: 12 pt – Times New Roman or Calibri.
• Line spacing: double
• Headings: in bold, maximum size 16 pt.
• Margins: no less than 2.54cm on all sides.
• Page numbers: at the bottom right-hand corner of footer.
• Student identification number: (number only) at the top right-hand corner of the header.
• Microsoft Word format (.docx)
• References: given in APA Style 7th Edition. Information on this referencing style can be found in the UC Referencing Guide on the UC library website.

Please include the following statement on your cover page:
I, Student (insert student number) have not used any Generative AI (GenAI) tools/services in the preparation of this assessment. I understand that providing false or misleading information in this GenAI Acknowledgement Statement may constitute a breach of the University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023.

Word Count and Time Limits

Allocated word limits are final. The examiner will stop reading when the allocated word limit is reached. Content beyond the word limit will not be assessed. This same principle will also apply for presentations, where content after the time limit will not be marked.

Assessment Support

The discussion boards on Canvas (UC Learn) provide students with the opportunity to ask questions to:

• Clarify the requirements of the assessment item
• Understand the marking rubric
• Receive feedback regarding the general structure of their intended response

Teaching staff will be able to respond to discussion board posts during their working hours as work schedules allow.

For assessments with a Sunday due date, questions raised on discussion boards after 4:30pm on the preceding Friday may not be responded to be teaching staff.

Teaching staff are not expected to:

• review drafts or provide individual feedback on the content of student work prior to submission.
• respond to questions regarding assessment items raised by email.

Students can access support for their studies through the university's Study Skills programs.

Students with additional needs (for example, reasonable adjustment plan or specific cultural considerations) are encouraged to raise this with the unit convener early in semester, to assist with identifying appropriate study supports.

Special assessment requirements

Moderation of assessment

Assessments will be moderated according to the Assessment Policy and Assessment Procedures.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Inclusion and engagement

Students with Reasonable Adjustment Plans are encouraged to make contact with the Unit Convener to communicate required adjustments.

Participation requirements

Information about learning activities for the unit will be provided on the Canvas (UCLearn) site for the unit. Learning activities include lectures, tutorials, workshops, group work, self-directed study and recommended readings. Participation in all learning activities will give students a better opportunity for successful completion of the unit.

It is essential that students actively participate in all lectures, tutorials and workshops. These classes are on campus at the University of Canberra (UC) campus in Bruce, ACT, unless otherwise stated. This includes that students will be expected to:

• be involved in small group discussions and might be asked to engage in discussions with the larger class
• complete preparation work for classes (listed on Canvas) before class and
• use their own electronic devices during class to engage with learning materials through the unit Canvas site.

Such participation is required by students in order to meet the Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards (2018). Therefore, except in the case of extenuating circumstances, 100% attendance for all lectures, tutorials and workshops is expected. It is also expected that if students are unable to meet these participation requirements they inform the Unit Convener as soon as practical by email. 

Required IT skills

It is expected that students will have basic computer and software skills and ability to use: databases to search for journal articles; referencing software such as EndNote; software and hardware for creation and editing of audio and video recordings; and Microsoft Teams for online meetings. Students are also expected to be able to regularly access their UC email account and Canvas. Canvas (UC Learn) is an online learning site, which provides students with access to readings and learning activities.

Lecturers will communicate with students via their UC student email accounts or announcements on Canvas (UC Learn). It is the student's responsibility to regularly check their email and Canvas for messages, information and/or instructions.

In-unit costs

Students are responsible for any travel and accommodation costs related to site visits for completion of assessments.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

In the course of studying occupational therapy, students may be exposed to clinical cases and situations that may be stressful. At UC a counselling service is available for all students. All sessions are confidential. This service is located in the UC Medical and Counselling Centre in Level B in Building 1. For more information please go to https://www.canberra.edu.au/on-campus/health-and-support/medical-counselling/counselling

At all times, students must be aware of the requirements of patient privacy. This requires respect for privacy during clinical site visits and when writing case studies, assignments, writing in clinical records or reflective journals. All written and verbal work (other than medical notes) requires de-identification of patients' details. Specifically:

1. Pseudonyms should be used for the names of patients and organisations in all academic work
2. Identifying information, including demographic information, should be modified in academic work, using terminology such as 'similar to'.
3. Students should mark all academic work with sensitive information as 'in confidence' in the footer.
4. Where possible for assignment purposes, students should develop 'composite' patients/clients based upon their experiences with several patients or clients in one clinical placement experience if possible. Students should note that this is a composite and not intended to identify a single person.
5. Students should use the password-protect function on their word programs to further guard sensitive information.
6. Students should avoid naming other students in academic work, such as reflective pieces or portfolios.
7. Students should attend workshops for health science students on how to change information about patients in line with these recommendations.

For further information, students may visit https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/health-service-providers

• Semester 1, 2025, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (223851)
• Semester 1, 2024, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (217340)
• Semester 1, 2023, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (211785)
• Semester 1, 2022, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (206330)
• Semester 1, 2021, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (203101)