Tutorial 1

Ethics and information technology

Information technology is management of computer based programs information systems. IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely retrieve information. From:

Wikipedia (2009). Information technology. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_Technology.

Technology is very much common place these days and forms a large part in society. Everyone has some sort of technology in their lives weather it’s a cell phone or computer. Nearly everyone uses computers and/or cell phones as a form of communication nowadays. A lot of things can be done on line such as shopping and internet banking which saves a lot of time.

I feel very confident using a cell phone as this is very much part of my everyday technology devices I use. I am confident using a computer but wouldn’t say I knew my way around the social network sites such as Facebook as I do not use these. I am slowly working my way around Blogger.

In my experience IT devices such as cell phones, cameras, and laptops are a big part in occupational therapy practice. Cell phones are important as they need to be taken with the occupational therapist when out on home visits for safety reasons. Cameras are used to take pictures of clients and equipment. Computers are used to write up notes, reports, email and research information. Photocopies are also used.

Privacy can become an issue with internet sites such as bebo, as if not stated, anyone can view someone’s page and get information about the person. Privacy isn’t exactly the easiest thing to cover on internet sites like this.

“Computer ethics is a branch of practical philosophy which deals with how computing professionals should make decisions regarding professional and social conduct”. From:

Wikipedia (2009). Computer ethics. Retrieved February 14, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_ethics

In law, intellectual property (IP) is an umbrella term for various legal entitlements which attach to certain types of information, ideas, or other intangibles in their expressed form. Under intellectual property law, owners are granted certain exclusive rights to a variety of intangible assets, such as musical, literary, and artistic works; ideas, discoveries and inventions; and words, phrases, symbols, and designs. From:

Wikipedia (2009). Intellectual property. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property

Social justice doesn’t just cover ‘law’. It is a concept in society which insures individual’s receive fair treatment. It can also refer to the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within a society. From:

Wikipedia (2009). Social justice. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice

“Informed consent is a legal condition whereby a person can be said to have given consent based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications and future consequences of an action”. From:

Wikipedia (2009). Informed consent. Retrieved February 14, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informed_consent

It is important to have an understanding of ICT and ethical issues because as an OT you will be expected to use equipment such as computers, cell phones and cameras you will also need to be aware of ethical considerations that come with these.