About the name of the blog

Do we need forks? is a name that reflects my philosophy about technology - the first question we should ask is "Do I NEED this?" Will it make my life and meaningful occupations easier, or better in some way?
As a student (first time around), I remember reading a scene from a play set in the 1600s, where French nobles were wondering what to do with a fork. The social context meant that forks were unnecessary. In that time, people would bring a knife, use a spoon for liquids, and hands for everything else. In a different social context where people are concerned about hygiene, a fork seems relevant. Or you could just wash your hands really well before each meal.
This philosophy about technology relates well to frameworks of occupational therapy. We look at the person - do they really need this technology? - the occupation - how meaningful is this occupation and do they need technology to make it easier to participate in? - and the environment, which includes social factors - is this technology going to fit with their environment?

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Affordances - communication

Last Thursday, after consultation with a classmate, I decided to make belly button biscuits (according to a recipe from my friend Svar) to share with my class at the Friday PIO2 tutorial as a surprise gift.  People seemed happy and enjoyed eating the biscuits, and it was nice to be called "sweet" by one classmate :-)  We didn't have much verbal conversation about the sharing of the food, but the non-verbal messages were adequate.
Haley & McKay (2004) found that participants in their study on the benefits of baking in acute inpatient mental health care "had all baked a product, they had something in common with each other and, therefore, had something to discuss" (p. 127).  I often find when I give baking away that people start talking about their favourite recipe, or one that someone else makes that is their favourite, and so a sort of funny conversation that comprises each person taking turns to list their favourite recipes begins!
The capacity for gift giving is implicit in the activity of baking.  How often would you bake a batch of biscuits or a cake and not share the results?
Another type of communication that is required for baking is negotiation, for space and time in my flat kitchen.  It rarely needs to be done, because in an unspoken way I simply cook when my flatmate is out, or at a time that fits within his kitchen rhythms, and vice versa.

Reference: Haley, L. & McKay, E.A. (2004) 'Baking gives you confidence': Users' views of engaging in the occupation of baking. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 67(3), 125-128.
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