Van Lemmon, OTD, M.Ed., OTR/L
Assistant Professor of Practice
Division of Occupational Therapy
Assistive & Rehabilitative Technology Certificate Program
443D Atwell Hall
453 W. 10th Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Professional Areas of Interest
- Occupation-based assessment practices in the matching of assistive technology
- Assistive technology to support reading, writing, executive functioning, and academic participation among learners with Specific Learning Disorders
- Using generative artificial intelligence to facilitate academic participation among learners with Specific Learning Disorders across K–12 and postsecondary education
- Leveraging generative artificial intelligence as a thought partner in higher education
Overview
I’m an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Occupational Therapy Division at The Ohio State University, where I primarily teach in the Assistive and Rehabilitative Technology Certificate Program. As an occupational therapist, I have primarily worked in school-based settings, where I developed a strong interest in assistive technology. My work emphasizes client-centered, occupation-based assessment practices to effectively match assistive technology tools to a wide range of learning needs and diagnoses.
My scholarship and teaching increasingly focus on the role of artificial intelligence in supporting learning and participation. I examine how generative AI can be used to enhance academic engagement, particularly for individuals with specific learning disabilities, while maintaining a strong emphasis on learner effort, participation, and ethical use. I also served on a working group through the American Occupational Therapy Association Commission on Education to help establish guidelines for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in occupational therapy education.
Major Awards
- October 2024 - Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning Affiliate