Hands-On: Integrating Active Learning into an Upper Extremity Occupational Therapy Elective

Jennifer Radziak, A.T. Still UniversityFollow
Katie Jones, Methodist UniversityFollow
Kelsey Picha, A.T. Still UniversityFollow

Document Type (Journals)

Educational Innovations

Abstract

In an effort to provide students with advanced clinical practice skills, several occupational therapy elective courses were developed. The current article describes an educational innovation that involved an in-person elective course for graduate second year Master of Science in Occupational Therapy students that focused on the upper extremity. The course was team-taught, promoted active learning, and used unique activities to engage students in the learning process. Relevant evidence-based practice literature and clinical guidelines were incorporated into the course to teach students about the treatment of upper extremity conditions. The active learning strategies implemented in the course included fresh donor dissection, gallery walks, jigsaws, learning stations, Socratic questioning, low-fidelity simulations, kinesthetic and constructivist activities, orthotic fabrication, and portfolio learning. Activities also involved watching videos and using published resources to supplement learning. Students treated a real client and practiced orthotic fabrication with adults and children. Student learning was assessed using the ungrading assessment approach and students were provided with ample feedback from instructors during and after educational activities.

Biography

Jennifer Radziak, OTD, OTR/L, CHT is an assistant professor and the Program Director for the Occupational Therapy Department at A.T. Still University. Dr. Radziak earned her BS in Health Science and MS in Occupational Therapy from Saint Francis University and her post-professional OTD from Temple University. Her research interests include using robotics to engage in functional activities and innovative teaching methods in OT education.

Katherine Jones, EdD, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, CWT is an assistant professor, Program Director of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, and Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Methodist University. Dr. Jones earned an EdD in Adult Teaching and Learning from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, an MA in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California, and a BA in Music from the University of Portland. Dr. Jones’ research focuses on maternal mental health, lymphedema management, sensory self-regulation, and innovative occupational therapy curriculum design.

Kelsey J. Picha, PhD, ATC is an Associate Professor at A.T. Still University. Dr. Picha earned her BAT degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato, MS degree from A.T. Still University, and PhD degree from the University of Kentucky. Her research interests are in the areas of social determinants of health and patient adherence to rehabilitation with numerous publications. She was awarded the Clint Thompson Award for Clinical Advancement through the Journal of Athletic Training and has secured grant funding internally and externally.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Recommended Citation

Radziak, J., Jones, K., & Picha, K. (2026). Hands-On: Integrating Active Learning into an Upper Extremity Occupational Therapy Elective. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 10 (1). Retrieved from https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/vol10/iss1/19