Otago Polytechnic occupational therapy lecturers Kristi
Carpenter and James Sunderland prepare to give a
presentation as part of a 24-hour international "virtual
conference" organised from Dunedin. Photo by Peter
McIntosh.
It's the conference you have without hiring a venue,
flying in speakers or even having to provide refreshments.
In what is believed to be a world first for the profession,
occupational therapy practitioners, researchers and students
from all parts of the globe are participating in a 24-hour
"virtual conference" organised by Otago Polytechnic.
Starting at 3pm New Zealand time yesterday, presenters from
countries including New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong,
Canada, Iceland, Israel and the Seychelles began giving
one-hour lectures on an internet web-conferencing system that
allows them to speak and show slides.
Delegates, some participating from their own homes, use a
dialogue box to comment or ask questions, responding through
on-screen symbols such as smiley faces, virtual hand- raising
and virtual applause.
Chief organiser Merrolee Penman, academic leader and
principal lecturer at the polytechnic's School of
Occupational Therapy, said the department had been using
online technology for well over a decade.
Colleague Sarah Stewart, who runs the International Day of
the Midwife, inspired her to organise the virtual conference
to mark World Occupational Therapy Day, she said.
The conference was "exciting", Ms Penman said.
"We believe this is the first international online conference
for occupational therapists that's totally open and totally
free. It's exciting because there will be philosophers in the
profession, researchers and practitioners in the field taking
part."
Up to 200 participants could "attend" each session, she said.
Some sessions would also be recorded and stored for up to six
months for future viewing.
Otago staff member Justine Camp opened the conference with a
welcome in Maori and English.
The first presenters were Otago lecturers James Sunderland
and Kristi Carpenter, who spoke about the capacity of the
profession to respond to the needs of Maori.
The final session will be delivered by the president of the
World Federation of Occupational Therapists, Prof Sharon
Brintnell, of the University of Alberta, Canada.
allison.rudd@odt.co.nz
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.