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Sketching OT Theory: The Meaning of Visual Notetaking to Learning Occupational Therapy Theory for OT Students

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Title: Sketching OT Theory: The Meaning of Visual Notetaking to Learning Occupational Therapy Theory for OT Students
Language: English
Authors: Julia Henderson, Delainey Ebel, Ilona Jones, Katie Lee Bunting
Source: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 2026 10(1).
Availability: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Occupational Therapy, Allied Health Occupations Education, Notetaking, Visual Aids, Masters Programs, Graduate Students, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Canada (Vancouver)
ISSN: 2573-1378
Abstract: Visual notetaking is a creative learning strategy used in health professions education. This study defines it as any form of notes, recorded using physical or electronic means, that are not solely text-based, but incorporate some degree of color, symbolism, shapes, diagrams, and/or other visual imagery to represent concepts. While no previous studies have investigated visual notetaking in the context of occupational therapy education, occupational therapy's prevalent use of visual representations to convey complex, relational, and holistic theoretical concepts suggests that visual notetaking may have potential as an inherently aligned and effective pedagogical approach for teaching occupational therapy theory. Our study investigated the use of visual notetaking among five first-year Master of Occupational Therapy students recruited from the University of British Columbia. Five participants submitted up to five visual notes during a theory course and took part in one semi-structured individual interview to describe their experiences of visual notetaking for the purpose of learning occupational therapy theory. Three participants took part in a member-reflection focus group. Compositional interpretation and reflexive thematic analysis guided analysis of visual notes, interview transcripts, and focus group data. Three themes emerged: What's in a Note?: Facets and Features; The (Artistic) Process Revealed; and Sketching Meanings: Understanding, Expressing, and Embodying. Findings expand on current literature that supports the use of visual notetaking techniques and strategies to enhance learning and retention of complex material. They lend support for incorporating visual methods into class activities to create an enriching and inclusive classroom. Study insights suggest that future research might explore the role of visual notetaking for neurodiverse students, and the possibility of including visual notetaking techniques in universal design for learning frameworks.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502391
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Sketching OT Theory: The Meaning of Visual Notetaking to Learning Occupational Therapy Theory for OT Students
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Julia+Henderson%22">Julia Henderson</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Delainey+Ebel%22">Delainey Ebel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ilona+Jones%22">Ilona Jones</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Katie+Lee+Bunting%22">Katie Lee Bunting</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Occupational+Therapy+Education%22"><i>Journal of Occupational Therapy Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 10(1).
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  Data: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Occupational+Therapy%22">Occupational Therapy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Allied+Health+Occupations+Education%22">Allied Health Occupations Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Notetaking%22">Notetaking</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Visual+Aids%22">Visual Aids</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Masters+Programs%22">Masters Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Graduate+Students%22">Graduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink>
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  Data: Visual notetaking is a creative learning strategy used in health professions education. This study defines it as any form of notes, recorded using physical or electronic means, that are not solely text-based, but incorporate some degree of color, symbolism, shapes, diagrams, and/or other visual imagery to represent concepts. While no previous studies have investigated visual notetaking in the context of occupational therapy education, occupational therapy's prevalent use of visual representations to convey complex, relational, and holistic theoretical concepts suggests that visual notetaking may have potential as an inherently aligned and effective pedagogical approach for teaching occupational therapy theory. Our study investigated the use of visual notetaking among five first-year Master of Occupational Therapy students recruited from the University of British Columbia. Five participants submitted up to five visual notes during a theory course and took part in one semi-structured individual interview to describe their experiences of visual notetaking for the purpose of learning occupational therapy theory. Three participants took part in a member-reflection focus group. Compositional interpretation and reflexive thematic analysis guided analysis of visual notes, interview transcripts, and focus group data. Three themes emerged: What's in a Note?: Facets and Features; The (Artistic) Process Revealed; and Sketching Meanings: Understanding, Expressing, and Embodying. Findings expand on current literature that supports the use of visual notetaking techniques and strategies to enhance learning and retention of complex material. They lend support for incorporating visual methods into class activities to create an enriching and inclusive classroom. Study insights suggest that future research might explore the role of visual notetaking for neurodiverse students, and the possibility of including visual notetaking techniques in universal design for learning frameworks.
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 22
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      – SubjectFull: Occupational Therapy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Allied Health Occupations Education
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      – SubjectFull: Notetaking
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      – SubjectFull: Visual Aids
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      – SubjectFull: Masters Programs
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      – SubjectFull: Graduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – TitleFull: Sketching OT Theory: The Meaning of Visual Notetaking to Learning Occupational Therapy Theory for OT Students
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