Tutorial One

Information technology/Information communication technology (IT/ICT)

The term IT refers to anything in relation to computing technology (Tech Terms, 2005). IT is now just another building block in the modern world today. Understanding and operating IT is considered a basic skill in education along with reading, writing and numeracy (UNSECO, 2002). Most businesses have IT departments for their business to keep networks up and running smoothly.

IT devices and systems I feel comfortable and competent using are as follows;
- Internet
- Laptop/computer
- i-pods
- Mobile phones
- Email
- Microsoft office programmes
- Windows software
- mp3


In my fieldwork experiences IT is being used in Occupational therapy practice a in a number of ways. The internet is being used to quickly find answers to medical questions on conditions. Email is used to send application forms to Enable for equipment or housing modifications. Computers are also used to hold copies of forms and assessments to then be printed when required. For safety reasons community Occupational therapists always carry mobile phones on them when leaving the office. Landline phones are constantly used to make appointments with clients and to follow up after intervention.

An ethical implication that arose from the capturing, sharing and transferring of information via IT devices or systems is the breach of confidentiality and privacy. Information being sent via mobiles or internet can be picked up by others and read, this is more common on the internet. If someone accidentally downloads a wrong file it can be sent to someone who does not have permission or the right to read it. Photos that may distinguish someone’s identity can be uploaded onto the net without realising this.

COMPUTER ETHICS
This is a guideline for computer professionals to follow when making their decisions regarding professional and social conduct. There is a code of ethics designed by the Association for Computing Machinery to control ethical behaviour among computing professionals. It covers ethics for professionals and technology in society (Wikipedia, 2010)

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP)
IP are networks for legal entitlements that are categorised by specific information or ideas. The person with rights to the legal entitlement gains exclusive rights of the subject matter if the IP (Wikipedia, 2010).

SOCIAL JUSTICE
This is based on the concept that within a society individuals are treated fairly and that there is an equal share of the benefits of society (Wikipedia, 2010).

INFORMED CONSENT
“Informed consent is a legal procedure to ensure that a patient or client knows of all the risks and costs involved in a treatment” (Cherry, 2010).
As technology grows more quickly every day by having a good understanding of IT will make it easier to move from one appliance to a new adapted version. Technology is everywhere today such as work, schools, leisure activities, sports, festivals, arts and within the home. So if we wish to keep up with our fields of interest it is important we learn a good understanding of IT. By having a basic understanding of the ethical issues involved in IT we can make use of the appliances lawfully and respectfully.

Cherry, K. (2010). Informed consent. Retrieved February 24, 2010, from http://psychology.about.com
Tech Terms.com. (2005). IT information technology. Retrieved February 24, 2010, from http://www.techterms.com/definition/it
UNESCO. (2002). Information. Retrieved February 24, 2010, from http://unesdoc.unesco.org
Wikipedia. (2010). Computer ethics. Retrieved February 24, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org
Wikipedia. (2010). Intellectual property. Retrieved February 24, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org
Wikipedia. (2010). Social justice. Retrieved February 24, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org