Tutorial One

Tutorial One: Information Technology and Ethical Issues

My first posting is in regards to Information technology and ethical issues relating to information technology

Informational technology: noun the use of computers, telecommunications, etc in electronic processing, storing, retrieving & sending information. [The Penguin English Dictionary (2004)].
To me this means …….Information Technology is everywhere, it is the everyday devices that we use to communicate with each other, electronically store information and send and receive information.

Consider the definition of IT you have provided. How is this form of technology prevalent in our society? How common place has it becomes.

The development of IT means that information is much more readily available and easily accessible. It has become a very predominant feature in today’s society. For example, rather than sending a letter to someone it is much more common to simply send an email to keep in touch. It has made the world seem a much smaller place because communicating with people on the other side of the world takes a lot less time and effort than it used to. Information can be stored and shared with others via the internet. Children are being educated about IT from a very early age and it soon becomes a part of their everyday life; it makes for an excellent educational tool.
Society has adapted to the development of IT and accepted it as a part of everyday life, at times relying rather heavily on it to carry out everyday functions.
Here is what could be considered as the new alphabet. http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?q=a+is+for+apple,+b+is+for+bluetooth&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1503&bih=603&tbm=isch&tbnid=ZE0iQ9MaHBSIAM:&imgrefurl=https://plus.google.com/117146753287416771341&docid=oddZYMn2RHt0OM&imgurl=https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Op1nL6mLy-A/TrTaGAqd9YI/AAAAAAAAQYw/XYQ0Qjcv6j8/alphabet.jpg&w=401&h=301&ei=Ggh0T6C8A5GtiQfhk73kDw&zoom=1


What IT devices or systems do you feel comfortable and competent using?

Smart phone, Lap top, computer, GPS, TV, MI SKY, Video Camera, Camera, Stereo, Car Radio,
Face book, Moodle, Microsoft word

I am not too savvy at using technology and don’t like using it when I don’t know what I am doing. However, I give it a good go as I know that by up skilling the IT tools that I currently have, it will help me when I use them later on in life.

Thinking about your own fieldwork experience and referring to the tutorial readings, and language of occupations’ answer the following questions (these questions are a useful starting point for your following technology application report).
How have you seen IT being used in practice?
I have seen technology and the different types of technology, such as Leap Frog, and tools that have been adapted so disabled people are able to use things that they normally wouldn’t be able to use , such as a touch button instead of a mouse. The same click button can divert and be a egg beater switch.
I have see Wii’s being used for rehab with elderly after they have suffered from a stroke, playing tennis and bowling on the Wii has been a great way to have fun while getting them to use their arm that had once lost function.

What issues exist around OT’s adoption of IT systems and tools?
Sometimes the IT games can jam, run out of batteries or get a virus. There are also copyrights, confidentiality issues to consider when using these systems and tools.

What are some of the ways you can envisage IT use becoming a potential tool in practice?
It has made the world more accessible and expand what we are able to do. In the past occupational therapy has been about making floor mats or weaving baskets to aid fine motor function. Now there are IT devices available that allow the client have fun and enjoy themselves while getting the same or even better therapy by gaining motor function and benefitting from the devices. Teaching clients to use email and cell phones is another form of communication that they can use to keep in touch with family, their therapists but also the outside world which I feel will also be beneficial to clients/patients.

This clip is an example of a typical way in which a Wii console may be able to help people with rehabilitation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzYmZt97CcI

I,T devices are great to a certain extent - while having fun we are able to get a full body workout or do brain exercises on Nintendo devices. We need to be aware that not all patients can use these devices due to their health and that nobody should be in front of a TV screen for long periods of time.


What ethical implications arise from the capturing, sharing and transferring or information via IT devices:
Ethical complications are always bound to arise when capturing, sharing, or transferring information via IT devices. Privacy issues of patients/clients or other staff are a big hazard when adopting IT into any workplace. What if the information being shared gets into the wrong hands? Or what if a person does not want information about them being shared? Patient/client confidentiality is a factor that should constantly be kept in mind when sharing capturing, sharing or transferring information.