OOTA CE Spotlight

1. Think of an OT-related topic area or experience that is unique to you. 
   • Is there an area of interest to you that you are an expert in?
   • Is there a passion area that you find that you are sharing with your co-workers, interdisciplinary teammates, or that you have become the point person on? 
   • Do you find your fieldwork students, or new OTPs lacking in a certain area that you consider yourself an expert? 
   • Have any of your experiences as an OTP changed the way you view your work and the profession of occupational therapy?
   • What do you wish you knew when you started working, that you could help new and future OTPs get a head start on understanding

2. Contact your district chairperson and share your idea or topic with them. 

1. • Find out who your chairperson is here 
   • Demonstrate relevant experience and highlight your unique contributions to this topic area. This could be through your clinical expertise, research, teaching, leadership roles, or any other aspect of your work experience that has shaped your understanding of the topic in question. 
   • Try to identify a date 6-12 months in the future so that you have adequate time to prepare for this presentation. There may also be an opportunity to pull in co-presenters!

3. Start developing your professional presentation. Below is a list of considerations for planning your presentation. 

• • How long is the CE event? Is it going to be virtual or in-person?
    • 60 to 90-minutes is typical for a CE event, with the events on the longer end leaving more room for interaction between presenters and participants. Even in virtual settings, if you’re intent on structuring your CE to look more like a “workshop” that can absolutely be accomplished!
  • What are the current evidence-based practices in that topic area? What are your personal experiences in the topic area?
    • It’s important to keep in mind that experience is a form of evidence. As you find the evidence to support your presentation on the topic, it’s great to contextualize that evidence with “stories” illustrating how the evidence is applied in different settings. The more you can “bring the learning to life” with examples from your own experience, the more likely the learning is going to “land” with attendees/participants.
  • Are there any laws, regulations, or requirements relevant to this topic area?
  • What are my learning objectives that I want to share with my participants?
    • When coming up with learning objectives, try to make sure that they are “active” as much as possible. So, don’t just focus on what people will learn and know by the end of your presentation, but also how that learning will be applied to their practice. What are the specific behaviors you hope will be easier or more effective for attendees after they leave your session?
  • What are 5-8 multiple-choice questions that I want to make sure participants can answer after this event is over? 
  • Create a one-paragraph biography to share with your chairperson. 
    • This doesn’t have to be a full outline of your professional experience condensed into one paragraph! Just something to show your relevant experience and expertise in the topic area, and to give participants an opportunity to get to know you before the CE course.

4. Communicate with your district chairperson for any needs they may have of you in the weeks leading up to the event.

• • Practice your presentation multiple times before the event
    • While you don’t necessarily need to memorize a script (in fact, oftentimes scripted presentations come off as exactly that – scripted!), you will definitely want to have an internalized understanding of the pacing and flow of your presentation. Ask yourself about how much time you want to spend on each section. Consider how the sections of your presentation flow into one another – does it make sense as you move from point to point?
  • How can you make your presentation engaging to the audience? 
    • Polls, short activities, and Q&A sections are all great ways to invite participation from your audience. If you need or want help in considering interactive possibilities, please reach out to OOTA and we will happily find someone to act as a brainstorming partner!

5. Present your continuing education course! The time has finally come.  

1. • Remember to take a deep breath. You are the expert in this topic area. You have the skills and abilities to share with the audience. 
   • Answer any questions that may arise from the presentation. If you are unsure of an answer, it is acceptable to ask for the participant’s email and share resources with them after the event. 
   • Keep the “bigger picture” in mind. You are contributing your time, energy, and perspective to your professional peers, and your efforts in this instance are going to help your peers to improve their practice. This is no small feat! As you finish up your presentation, reflect on the fact that you’ve made a difference in the professional experience of the OTP community in Ohio!