Tutorial 1: Information Technology and Ethical Issues

In this tutorial, we talked about our own experiences with technologies in our spare time and during placement. We also looked at information technology and the ethical issues that surrounds IT. Here are the terms we have to define:

Information Technology- It refers to anything related to computing technology, such as networking, hardware, software, the Internet, or the people that work with these technologies. (Tech Terms Dictionary, 2006)

Information Communications Technology- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines communication technology as connection by way of "radio, television, wire, satellite, or cable." However, this only describes current communication technology; the history of instant communication traces back to smoke signals in ancient Greece. People use various types of communication technology for various purposes, and communicators often include advertisements with messages. Modern communication technology led to globalization, which industrialized some countries and left others behind. (Lyke, 2010) 

Computer Ethics 

Computer ethics- is set of moral principles that regulate the use of computers. Some common issues of computer ethics include intellectual property rights (such as copyrighted electronic content), privacy concerns, and how computers affect society. (Tech Terms Dictionary, 2006)

Intellectual Property - Refers to the ownership of intangible & non-physical goods. This includes idea, names, designs, symbols, artwork, writings and other creations. It also refers to digital media such as audio and video clips that can be downloaded online. (Tech Terms, 2006)

Social Justice- Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. (Wikipedia the free Encyclopedia, 2011)

Informed Consent- Is a phrase often used in the law to indicate that the consent a person gives meets certain minimum standards. And informed consent can be said to have been given based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action. In order to give informed consent, the individual must have adequate reasoning faculties and be in possession of all relevant facts at the time consent is given. (Wikipedia the free Encyclopedia, 2011)

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

Technology is used to enhance human beings physically and intellectually, however many people are discovering that technology is a two-edged sword; the benefits are equally balanced by the downsides. It is said that particular jobs will inevitably disappear as a result of technological advancements threatening the importance of the job. Today, many jobs such as ATMs replace bank tellers, answering machines replace operators, and insightful descriptions of the product on Internet shopping sites replace salesmen. Many have considered the downsides to technology and decided that IT advancements are not all beneficial to society. Even though machines and technology have replaced the jobs that were once done by human beings, the jobs have not been eliminated; they are merely changed in a way that humans no longer carry on the task. 

Technology has also changed jobs in a way so that it makes it easier to human beings to do their work. An example is how humans exploit the usefulness of machines to mass-produce products and food. Engineers are also hired to develop ways in order to enhance the already existing technology. Despite social issues surrounding the idea of computers replacing humans, many people would agree that if a job is taken over by a machine that is incapable of independent thought, the job is not suitable for a human being who have the ability to do so. Technology helps eradicate useless jobs and decreases labor costs, but it also creates new jobs. An example of this is the manufacturing of the actual technology and the computer specialists hired to put the technology to use. (BookRags, 2000-2006)

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

Computers

Digital Camera's and Videos

Mobile Phone

Radio/Stereo

I pods

I phones

E-mail

PlayStation

DVD Player

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

Sometimes it was difficult to understand what the condition of a patient is by reading past medical notes so computers were used to look up information on diseases and illnesses to further the understanding of a clients current condition. 
Camera’s were used to take photo’s of a place that needs to be modified e.g. have ramps installed, have wet area shower installed.
Phones were used to ring clients to book appointments with them for home visits or find out information that we needed to know.

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

Information technology has heightened ethical concerns, taxed existing social arrangements, and made some laws obsolete or severely crippled. Information technologies and systems have also created new opportunities for criminal behavior and mischief. 

The doubling of computing power every 18 months has made it possible for most organizations to use information systems for their core production processes. As a result, our dependence on systems and our vulnerability to system errors and poor data quality have increased. The very same information systems that lead to high levels of productivity also create opportunities for abuse. Social rules and laws have not yet adjusted to this dependence. Standards for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of information systems are not universally accepted or enforced. Think of all the ways we generate computer information about ourselves—credit card purchases; telephone calls; magazine subscriptions; video rentals; mail-order purchases; banking records; local, state, and federal government records (including court and police records); and visits to Web sites to read Web materials, use search engines, and write blogs. Put together and mined properly, this information could reveal not only your credit information but also your driving habits, your tastes, your associations, intended purchases, political views, and interests. What you thought was private, in fact, can quickly become public. Anyone can change or access the information that we put on the internet. (Wikipedia, 2011)

References


- BookRags. The Role Technology Plays in Today's Society: Student Essays. Retrieved from  March 6, 2011, from http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2005/6/1/0125/75136

 Lyke, A. (2010). Communication Technology Definition. eHow contributor. Retrieved from March 6, 2011,  

http://www.ehow.com/about_6766569_communication-technology-definition.html

- Tech Terms Dictionary. IT (Information Technology).(2006).Retrieved March 4, 2011 from http://www.techterms.com/definition/it

- Tech Terms Dictionary. Computer Ethics.(2006).Retrieved March 4, 2011 from http://www.techterms.com/definition/computerethics

- Tech Terms Dictionary. Intellectual Property.(2006).Retrieved March 4, 2011 from http://www.techterms.com/definition/intellectualproperty

- Wikipedia the free Encyclopedia. Social Justice. (2010). Retrieved from March 4, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice

- Wikipedia the free Encyclopedia. Informed Consent. (2010). Retrieved from March 4, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informed_consent