Tutorial One Technical Description

Tutorial One: Information Technology and Ethical Issues

Provide a definition of Information Technology/Information Communications Technology (APA reference required)
Information Technology also known as Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Infocomm in Asia is concerned with the use of technology in managing and processing information, especially in large organisations.
In the broadest sense, information technology refers to both the hardware and software that are used to store, retrieve, and manipulate information. Information Technology (IT), as defined by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), is "the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware." IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely retrieve information.
Retrieved February 14, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_technology
Retrieved February 14, 2007, from http://www.mariosalexandrou.com/definition/information-technology.asp

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

People are expected to have the most recent model of technology as they are more common. There are also expectations of people having the more expensive and newer models as Information Technology is developing more and more every day. The newer the model, the more advanced the device is in storing and accessing information so therefore, people require the most advanced and developed device that is available.
It is becoming more commonplace to have a newer model of technology every day however; people also tend to upgrade their model whenever something new and more advanced is brought to the market.


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

Computers, telephones, cellphones, IPOD, Camera, USB, CD, DVD, CD ROM, VCR. I feel competent with most IT devices as I am from the generation that tends to depend more on these.


Thinking about your own fieldwork experiences consider how IT is being used in Occupational Therapy practice?

Research practice
Emailing
Client Data Bases – Notes
Cameras – Home visits for equipment and heights etc
Telephones
Organisational systems
Video
Computer based equipment requesting


Pagers through wards in hospital settings
Cellphones taken on Home visits
Computer based maps

What ethical implications arise from the capturing, sharing and transferring of information via IT devices (e.g. mobile phones) or systems (e.g. internet)

Credibility
Confidentiality
Information gained by you or your group can be easily changed or altered by others who are able to access the information.
Information may not always get to where you are trying to send or post it.


Provide a definition of Computer Ethics (APA reference required)

Is a branch of practical philosophy which deals with how computing professionals should make decisions regarding professional and social conduct.

Retrieved February 14, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/computer_ethics


Provide a definition of Intellectual Property (APA reference required)

Intellectual property (IP) is a legal field that refers to creations of the mind such as musical, literary, and artistic works; inventions; and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, and related rights. Under intellectual property law, the holder of one of these abstract "properties" has certain exclusive rights to the creative work, commercial symbol, or invention by which it is covered.
Retrieved February 14, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property


Provide a definition of Social Justice (APA reference required)

Social justice refers to the concept of a society in which justice is achieved in every aspect of society, rather than merely the administration of law. It is generally thought of as a world which affords individuals and groups fair treatment and an impartial share of the benefits of society. (Different proponents of social justice have developed different interpretations of what constitutes fair treatment and an impartial share.) It can also refer to the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within a society.
Social justice is both a philosophical problem and an important issue in politics, religion and civil society. Most individuals wish to live in a just society, but different political ideologies have different conceptions of what a 'just society' actually is. The term "social justice" is often employed by the political left to describe a society with a greater degree of economic egalitarianism, which may be achieved through progressive taxation, income redistribution, or property redistribution. The right wing also uses the term social justice, but generally believes that a just society is best achieved through the operation of a free market, which they believe provides equality of opportunity and promotes philanthropy and charity. Both the right and the left tend to agree on the importance of rule of law, human rights, and some form of a welfare safety net (though the left supports this last element to a greater extent than the right).

Retrieved February 14, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice


Provide a definition of Informed Consent (APA reference required)

A legal condition whereby a person can be said to have given consent based upon an appreciation and understanding of the facts and implications of an action.
Some acts cannot legally take place because of a lack of informed consent. In cases where an individual is considered unable to give informed consent, another person is generally authorized to give consent on their behalf. Examples of this include the parents or legal guardians of a child and caregivers for the mentally ill. In cases where an individual is provided limited facts, serious ethical issues may arise. Examples of this in a clinical trial in medical research are anticipated and prevented by an ethics committee or Institutional Review Board.


Retrieved February 14, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informed_Consent


In your own words briefly summarise why (or why not) a great understanding of ITC and the ethical issues it encompasses will help us in our practice and daily lives.

The knowledge of ITC devices is needed a great deal these days as it is so easily accessed as well as used thoroughly within each day. Knowing what you are using, the effects it may have, any consequences that may come about as well as how to use it and why you are using it are things that should generally cross the mind of all ITC users during each day.
If you can adapt to using some sort of technology to its advantage, and not abuse it, it may help you to understand the job that you are doing better as well as in some forms, it may help make the job that you are doing a little bit easier as well.