Occupational Therapy Education

 

Context of Occupations

 

"Tuesdays with Morrie" assignment

 

One part of this assignment is worth 150 points (25% of your final grade) and will be an analysis of the character “Mitch” from the perspective of contexts and environments. This assignment is to be completed by each student individually - NOT as a group project!

 

The second part of this assignment is worth 75 points (13% of your final grade). In this portion of the assignment, you will have approximately 1 week to provide anonymous peer-edits of a “Morrie” paper written by a fellow student whose identity also is not known to you.

 

Supplementary documents:

1) A summary of the grading criteria is provided in this rubrick for the assignment.

2) The role of an editor is not always obvious.  Here is some guidance for being a peer-editor and a few examples:

a) An example of an appropriate level of editorial suggestions

b) When there are too few suggestions, the editorial process fails to help the author

c) An enthusiastic editor may, however, provide too many suggestions to be effective

 

Unlike other assignments for this class, there is no standard format that you need to use in completing this assignment. Part of your grade will include an evaluation of your ability to write clearly, and to present information in a logical, coherent manner.

 

There are four phases to this assignment:

  1. The initial phase simply requires you to read the book "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom, keeping in mind the nature of the four contextual domains and the two environmental domains. You may start reading the book at any time.
  2. By Feb 06: You next will write a paper according to the instructions below, and submit a draft version of that document both as a paper copy and as an electronic copy (using ANGEL's 'drop box' option). De-identified paper copies of these draft versions will be distributed within 1-2 days – look in your assignment folder in the OTEd department. The draft document will not be graded.
  3. On Feb 13: Each student is to have read the draft they have received critically, adding constructive comments or suggestions, and providing edits for grammar and clarity. Bring the edited version to class today so it can be returned to the author.  You will be graded on the quality of your edits.
  4. On Feb 20: Each student will revise their draft according to their editor's comments and submit the final version of their paper today - both as a paper version and as an electronic file. You also will return the draft/edited version (containing your editor's comments) to me at this time. You will be graded on the final version of your document, partly on the content and partly on your ability to incorporate your editor’s suggestions.

Mitch Albom, the author of Tuesdays with Morrie is the subject for Part I of this assignment. Your paper should be 4-5 pages long (anything over 5 pages won't be graded), double-spaced throughout, and include:

 

  1. a brief description of how Mitch's perspective changed over the course of the book. What does this new viewpoint mean for Mitch at this point in his life? How does it fit in or not fit in to his life story up to that point? As you observe this emerging altered view of his life situation, what are the main factors that influenced any changes or re-evaluation of priorities? (20 points)
  2. a description of the tasks/occupations that are important to Mitch. How do his contexts affect these tasks/occupations? (20 points)
  3. a description of at least 2 performance facilitators for Mitch. Clearly state which of the 4 contexts (personal, temporal, cultural, virtual) or 2 environments (physical, social) each facilitator most strongly represents and why you believe this to be the case. Provide supporting information or examples for each facilitator identified. (20 points)
  4. a description of at least 2 performance barriers for Mitch. Clearly state which of the 4 contexts (personal, temporal, cultural, virtual) or 2 environments (physical, social) each barrier most strongly represents and why you believe this to be the case. Provide supporting information or examples for each barrier identified. (20 points)
  5. identify at least 2 interventions that increased the performance range for Mitch. Which type of intervention (as described in the OT Practice Framework) does each represent? Provide supporting information or examples with each intervention. (20 points)
  6. writing - evaluation will include grammar, spelling, organization, and clarity (25 points)
  7. feedback – ability to evaluate and incorporate feedback provided by your peer-editor (25 points)

 

Questions? Consult your syllabus for further details, or stop by the office.

Comments? Send e-mail to Jeff Radel
Back to the Top | Last Updated:  19 Dec 2011