Course syllabus

Appar, bilder och e-hjälpmedel inom vård, skola och omsorg
Apps, Pictures and e-Tools in Healthcare, Schools and Social Services

TFRD30, 7,5 credits, G1 (First Cycle)

Valid for: Single courses at LTH spring 2021
Decided by: PLED ID
Date of Decision: 2019-12-10

General Information

Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirements.
Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish

Aim

The aim of the course is for the students to get a useful education for their profession, within the area of analyzing and evaluating apps, pictures and e-tools and their usability for individual users and their professional practice.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

-  be able to present several examples of how apps, pictures and e-tools are used today in healthcare, schools and social services.

- be able to describe basic principles of user-centered design, usability and universal design.

- be able to describe how apps, pictures and e-tools should be designed in order to support individuals with communicative and cognitive disabilities.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

- be able to analyze a situation where pictures are used and describe the cognitive or communicative difficulties supported by the pictures.

- be able to analyze a situation where apps or other e-tools are used and describe the cognitive or communicative difficulties supported by the technologies.

- be able to apply user-centered design in practice, to evaluate or design apps, pictures or e-tools for an individual or activity.

- be able to analyze a field of activity and identify how apps, pictures and other e-tools can be used there.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

- be able to reflect upon and value proposed solutions where the wishes of the individual is respected causing the person to be empowered and gain control over his/her own life.

Contents

The course is entirely offered as distance learning over the internet. All sections of the course conclude with individual assignments or group assignments. The course consists of the following sections:

1. Students' descriptions of their own field of activities and experiences from using apps, pictures and e-tools.

2. Short introduction to different types of pictures, apps and e-tools.

3. Examples of how apps, pictures and e-tools can be used within healthcare, schools and social services to support memory, thoughts, communication, planning, structuring, taking initiatives, creating identity and to visualize hidden abilities.

4. Theories of cognitive design.

5.User-centered design, usability and universal design, theory and practice.

6. Applied project: Evaluation of use of apps, pictures and e-tools. Detailed proposals for solutions should be presented in a report using pictures and text.

Examination details

Grading scale: UV - (U,G,VG) - (Fail, Pass, Pass with Distinction)
Assessment: Assessment of student performance is mainly based on individual assignments submitted throughout the course. Some assignments may be group assignments, where the individual contributions can be seen in the discussion forums. There are at least 6 individual assignments covering as many topics, as well as peer review and feedback on fellow students' assignments. The assignments consist mostly of descriptions, analyses and reflections on the studied phenomena using text and pictures, and occasionally videos. The size of an assignment is between 300-1500 words. The final assignment consists of several steps including peer review. It includes an applied project and a written report of approx. 2500 words. The course is process oriented and based more on the student’s ability to analyse and take actions on situations and problems and to exchange thoughts and experiences with other students than on the factual information studied. For a passing grade (G) it is required that the students follow each assignment’s instructions and carry out the descriptions and analyses that are listed in the assignment, as well as showing that they are aquainted with the course literature. A grade of VG (pass with distinction) will be given to students who demonstrate the ability to analyse and reflect extensively on the knowledge acquired and exhibit independent thinking in relation to the course contents.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Admission

Admission requirements:

Precedence: Experience from work with, or otherwise having good knowledge about persons having cognitive and/or communicative dissabilities by being a relative or working as a personal assistant or as a professional in (re)habilitation, group homes, activity centres, psychiatry, care and social services for the elderly, schools or similar areas.
The course overlaps following course/s: TFRB55

Reading list

Contact and other information

Course administrator: Lena Leveen, lena.leveen@certec.lth.se
Course coordinator: Bitte Rydeman, bitte.rydeman@certec.lth.se
Course homepage: http://www.certec.lth.se/english/education/elective-courses/apps-pictures-and-electronic-assistive-technology-in-healthcare-schools-and-social-services-tfrd30/?L=1
Further information: The course is entirely carried out over the internet. In addition to a computer and internet access,the students need to have access to a digital camera (or corresponding equipment) and to a smartphone/tablet (or corresponding equipment).