making.cognitive.connections
Making Cognitive Connections: Memory Compensation Using Windows Mobile
An Integrated Manual and Cognitive Rehabilitation Workbook
Utilizing the Making Cognitive Connections approach, this book teaches the fundamental technical skills necessary to operate a Windows Mobile device while simultaneously drawing a parallel to the cognitive skills that underlie the development of those technical skills.
Book Topics
The book focuses on the following topics:
- The Cognitive Connection
- Device Basics
- Windows Mobile Basics
- Creating One-Time Calendar Appointments
- Calendar Overview
- Calendar Tidbits
- Creating Recurring Calendar Appointments
- Creating & Editing Tasks
- Creating & Editing Contacts
- Synchronizing Your Pocket PC with a Computer
One brain injury survivor who used the book in conjunction with a PDA workshop offered through Coastline Community College had the following comment:
The Pocket PC has been a transformative tool in my life. It has strengthened my ability to be independent, efficient, and productive. It has given me hope and a concrete vehicle with which to create a new fulfilling and fruitful future for myself.
Why Focus on These Topics?
These topics were selected because they reflect the areas with which brain injury survivors and others with cognitive challenges have the most difficulty on a day-to-day basis. Examples of these difficulties include:
- Missing appointments
- Double-booking appointments
- Taking notes and not being able to find them when needed
- Not allowing enough time to get where they need to be
- Not having relevant contact information with them (phone numbers may be stored in a cell phone; however, addresses and relevant names may not be readily available)
- Forgetting a list of shopping items when going to the market
In fact, individuals with cognitive challenges were consulted regarding the topics and the depth and breadth of information presented in the book. The overwhelming response was that the book covered just enough information without causing users to become overwhelmed by the amount of information or number of skills being learned.
The topics for this book were chosen very carefully. These topics cover the fundamental PDA/smartphone skills necessary to effectively utilize Outlook's Calendar, Tasks (To-Do List), and Contacts features, as well as the steps required to synchronize the device and its data to a desktop or laptop computer. A Windows Mobile device can certainly perform more than these basic tasks; however, the foundation provided in this book sets the reference point for skills to be presented later in the series (e.g., customizing the Today screen and the Calendar, recording digital audio for quick notes or recording class lectures or meeting discussions; or using Mobile Word to take class and/or meeting notes).
This book replaces the previous edition, entitled Memory Compensation Using the Pocket PC Making Cognitive Connections for Brain Injury Survivors. The new edition includes both Windows Mobile 5 and 6.
Sample Chapters
- Title Page, Table of Contents, Forward, and Chapter 1 (Making Cognitive Connections) Excerpt (PDF; 327k)
NOTE: This is just an excerpt. Several other cognitive skills are stressed throughout the book beyond those listed in the excerpt. - Chapter 5 (Calendar Overview) (PDF; 2.13M)