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Meetings
DOT(WA) holds meetings and local PD info sessions every second month from 6:30pm until about 8:30pm. We are currently using Zoom for all meetings as our regular meeting ‘venue’.
The professional development will start at 6:30 and will be followed directly by the meeting at about 7:30/8. Please remember to bring along a ‘Good, Bad or Ugly resource’ that you have found to share during the meeting.
To dial in through Zoom, please follow the following steps.
1. Prior to the meeting, download Zoom onto your phone, tablet or computer. The free Zoom
app is available from the App Store or Google play, or you can find it here: https://zoom.us/download.
2. 5 minutes before the meeting, click the link provided (see below or in the newsletter).
3. Check your video audio by clicking ‘Settings’ at the bottom left of the screen. Enable audio and video, but ensure your microphone is on mute.
4. If you wish to ask a question, make a comment etc during the meeting, don’t forget to unmute yourself.
5. To finish the meeting or disconnect, click ‘Leave meeting’ at the bottom right corner of the screen.
Zoom Considerations to ensure the meeting runs as smoothly as possible.
1. Ensure your microphone is on mute, if you have a question, unmute yourself.
2. Look at your video image and ensure it is clear and not distracting. Avoid lights behind you as these cause a lot of glare, and if there are going to be lots of movement behind you (children, people walking around, traffic etc), please turn your video off. Equally if you are eating, moving around etc, please turn your video off.
3. If you have connection issues, consider how many devices are using the internet connection and if some can be disconnected/not used. Alternatively consider using your mobile data. Turning your video off and closing unused tabs or apps can help with poor connection.
4. Try to stay focused and avoid multitasking- pretend you are in the same room as the presenter.
5. There is a significant lag between when you speak and when the person hears you. If you wish to ask a question, get the presenters attention by saying ‘I have a question’ and wait until they acknowledge, you can also raise your hand to get visual attention too. When you are done, acknowledge that you are finished by saying ‘Thank you’, ‘I’m done’ etc.
6. Try to have only one person talking at one time, and speak clearly and slowly.
Upcoming Bi-Monthly PD
DOT(WA) Bi-Monthly PD FEBRUARY 2026
Topic: Young children’s digital technology use – what is appropriate use and what are the impacts on child development and health?
Date: Monday 16 February 2026
Time: 6.30pm
Presenter: The Curtin University Healthy Digital Child Team
Australian parents rank screen use as their number one health concern for their children. The digital world is very different to when current parents where children – and many feel ill equipped to help their children develop into adults who can safely and productively use this technology – that is now critical to daily life functioning for most people. Occupational therapists have an important role in assisting families to achieve that goal. This presentation will provide you with the knowledge to assist you in this challenging role.
You will be provided:
An overview of the current public health guidelines for screen use – and how their current focus on time is making it difficult for families, and professionals supporting families to actually help children develop into safe and productive users of technology
A summary of contemporary evidence on risks and benefits of digital technology use
Learnings from ongoing research on the role of professionals working with families and how families would like to be supported.
About the Presenters:
Dr Juliana Zabatiero is a chief investigator of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, leading a team of early career researchers together with Prof Leon Straker. Our team includes researchers with varied backgrounds, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, exercise science, biomechanics, and public health.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85724895292
If you have difficulty joining the meeting on the day and require support from the DOT(WA) Executive Committee, message/call Jacqui Hunt on 0407 834 097.