Technical Discription one

Tutorial One: Information Technology and Ethical Issues

Provide a definition of Information Technology/Information Communications Technology (APA reference required) Information technology . The production, strorage and communication of information using computers and microelectronics. Hanks, P.(ed). (1989) Collins Concise Dictionary. Glasgow: Bath Press.

Consider the definition of IT you have provided. How is this form of technology prevalent in our society? How common place has it become? Comupters are everywhere and we are constantly expected to use them and we have to get on board the train and learn. Most homes now have portable phones, computers, laptops, digital cameras, memory sticks etc..etc..etc. This makes it very hard for old tarts like me who does not cope and neither at times do I want to....But some time I will have to buy a digital camera and go on that train.

What IT devices or system do you feel comfortable and competent using? I am getting better with the computer. I am not comfortable with my laptop as it has Vista on it and I can't get my head round it. I am ok with cell phones but can't work a digital camera. I still cant programme the video but I can operate the dvd player.

Thinking about your own fieldwork experiences consider how IT is being used in Occupational Therapy practice? At the Ministry of Education technology is huge. email is used widely round the country and from person to person sitting next to each other. There are people employed solely to work in technology.... helping poor souls like me through to developing new stuff for children all the time.

What ethical implications arise from the capturing, sharing and transferring of information via IT devices (e.g. mobile phones) or systems (e.g. internet) The person who is being photographed may not know they are and may not want their image used. It is very unfair to do this because once its on the net that image can be used for anything by anyone and this could lead to problems. ie it could be that the person is in hiding from the FBI and then they are out there for the world to see and find.

Provide a definition of Computer Ethics (APA reference required) This is the branch of practical philosphy which leads with how computers professional 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) Informed consent is 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. The individual needs to be in possession of all of his faculties, such as not being mentally retarded or mentally ill and without an impairment of judgment at the time of consenting. Such impairments might include illness, intoxication, drunkenness, using drugs, insufficient sleep, and other health problems. 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. I

Provide a definition of Social Justice (APA reference required) Social justice mostly refers to an ideal of society, where "justice" refers to economic status rather than to the administration of laws. It is based on the idea of a society which gives individuals and groups fair treatment and a just share of the benefits of society, although what is "fair treatment" and a "just share" must remain unclear or subject to interpretation. Retreived Februry 14, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice

Provide a definition of Informed Consent (APA reference required) Informed consent is 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. The individual needs to be in possession of all of his faculties, such as not being mentally retarded or mentally ill and without an impairment of judgment at the time of consenting. Such impairments might include illness, intoxication, drunkenness, using drugs, insufficient sleep, and other health problems. 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. 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. It is vital that we know about this because of the confidentiality issues that are round in this day and age.Protecting our clients and ourselves is vital but being able to access the world of information is great.

What am I doing?

This is all new technology for me and is stretching my brain very much. Goodness knows if I will ever get the hang of this. Wish me luck as I learn each time.