My first official blog is going to talk about Information Technology and Ethical issues.
Information Technology or I.T. as we like to call it is described by The New Zealand School Dictionary Fourth Edition (2006) as ‘The study or use of computers and telecommunications for storing and sending information’ (p.198). Does that mean I can tell my mum I am ‘studying’ the use of facebook for sending information when she tells me to do the dishes?
This definition looks a bit different to The Online Dictionary’s which states that Information technology is ‘the development, implementation, and maintenance of computer hardware and software systems to organize and communicate information electronically’. I guess there are many definitions out there depending on who writes them and what angle you are coming from. Whether you are an I.T. guy that fixes electronics or someone that just uses technology for fun.
I personally feel that I.T. covers using and fixing any electrical hardware that keeps you in touch with others, helps you seek information and helps complete your daily tasks.
This definition looks a bit different to The Online Dictionary’s which states that Information technology is ‘the development, implementation, and maintenance of computer hardware and software systems to organize and communicate information electronically’. I guess there are many definitions out there depending on who writes them and what angle you are coming from. Whether you are an I.T. guy that fixes electronics or someone that just uses technology for fun.
I personally feel that I.T. covers using and fixing any electrical hardware that keeps you in touch with others, helps you seek information and helps complete your daily tasks.
I also decided to be a little bit of a techno geek and search what is I.T. in YouTube. Found this video. It’s short and sweet but makes you realise where I.T is really at work.
Using the definition from The New Zealand school Dictionary it is easy to see how technology is being used to store and send information. Starting off with storing information, Gone are the days of large silver filing cabinets and paper that you have to sort through to get the information you need. Information can be stored on USB’s or portable hard drives. Going to the doctors even seems to be easier, no more hard copy files, two clicks is all it takes to bring up your whole medical history. But it’s not just word documents that can be stored on these, songs, videos, priceless family photos. Technology has made storing information so much more efficient. It is also easier to find. Take this blog for example to find a second definition for I.T all I had to do was type it into Google rather than going to the library and sifting through large amounts of books looking for an answer in around 0.10 seconds Google has an answer for me. If that is not saving time and space I don’t know what is.
Now sending information is a whole other kettle of fish. How many letters have you written (with pen and paper) and sent (in the mail) in the last year? Probably one if you’re lucky. Sending information is so much quicker with technology. Bank statements, IRD information, Studylink letters can all be accessed through emails no need for letters in the mailbox. Not only that you can text people when you need them instead of ringing up or visiting to seek information. Pictures can be sent from phones, emails accessed anywhere at any time with laptops and phones and so much more.
Technology has become so common in everyday use, I cannot leave the house without my mobile phone in case someone needs to contact me and I seem to be checking facebook at least twice a day in case any new information has been added that may concern me. How many of you reading this now are on laptops? You have to be on the internet just to read this
This YouTube clip shows how far we have come in communicating through technology. I would say communicating is sharing of and sending information.
I found the last two words in this clip very true, we have come so far but imagine what is still to come.
Now sending information is a whole other kettle of fish. How many letters have you written (with pen and paper) and sent (in the mail) in the last year? Probably one if you’re lucky. Sending information is so much quicker with technology. Bank statements, IRD information, Studylink letters can all be accessed through emails no need for letters in the mailbox. Not only that you can text people when you need them instead of ringing up or visiting to seek information. Pictures can be sent from phones, emails accessed anywhere at any time with laptops and phones and so much more.
Technology has become so common in everyday use, I cannot leave the house without my mobile phone in case someone needs to contact me and I seem to be checking facebook at least twice a day in case any new information has been added that may concern me. How many of you reading this now are on laptops? You have to be on the internet just to read this
This YouTube clip shows how far we have come in communicating through technology. I would say communicating is sharing of and sending information.
I found the last two words in this clip very true, we have come so far but imagine what is still to come.
I have to admit that I have been brought up around technology. Even though I did not have a laptop until I went to tech we did have a computer to use. I got my first email address on my 12th birthday therefore allowing me to use chats and talk to my friends online. I received my first mobile phone before I started high school and computing was a compulsory class in your first year of high school.
I am very comfortable using computers and mobile phones. But this confidence only goes so deep. If anything was to go wrong with either of these devices I own I would have to ask for help to fix them. I can upload and download on and off these as well as my iPod. Speaking of my iPod it would have to be one of my favourite technology devices. I live to the sound of music and with my nice green iPod I can take my music anywhere.
One of the limits I have with I.T. is the cost. I.T. is ever expanding, new devices coming out each month with new technology and systems in place to make sharing and seeking information easier. But for each device that comes out the price does not get cheaper, by the time I save up to buy something there is something else out better than it and more expensive.
I use I.T. to engage in a number of purposeful activities. To start with back to my faithful iPod. This amazing device allows me to enjoy myself when I am out for a walk and when driving long distances. If I did not have my iPod to listen to my favourite songs I would not enjoy these activities. My iPod also allows me to dance, and since this is my favourite occupation I do not know where I would be without my iPod.
My laptop is my main source of information. It helps me with assignments (Google is one of my best friends) and staying in contact with loved ones.
My laptop is my main source of information. It helps me with assignments (Google is one of my best friends) and staying in contact with loved ones.
Occupational therapists (OT) use I.T. in a number of ways whether teaching clients about mobile phones with larger buttons or setting up a youth with a laptop that responds to their eyes instead of using a mouse. I have not personally seen OT’s using I.T. in practice but I know it is a very vast field that we have to work with.
With the way the world is changing and I.T. taking over in all aspects I believe OT’s are going to have to adapt with the technology in order to help clients.
Some of the issues that may arise from adopting the use of I.T. is that clients may not feel comfortable with this. I believe O.T’s will have to see if the client is comfortable using I.T before using it as an intervention tool. Also some clients may prefer the communication aspect of face to face OT work. For some of the clients the intervention of an OT is a great break from their daily lives and they enjoy the visits and interaction.
I feel that since the world of I.T is changing and people are adapting to fit in with the technology that as an OT we have to as well. Some peoples occupations are based on I.T. whether typing in an office and sending emails or needing to use a mobile phone. As occupations change we need to also since occupations are the base of Occupational Therapy.
With the way the world is changing and I.T. taking over in all aspects I believe OT’s are going to have to adapt with the technology in order to help clients.
Some of the issues that may arise from adopting the use of I.T. is that clients may not feel comfortable with this. I believe O.T’s will have to see if the client is comfortable using I.T before using it as an intervention tool. Also some clients may prefer the communication aspect of face to face OT work. For some of the clients the intervention of an OT is a great break from their daily lives and they enjoy the visits and interaction.
I feel that since the world of I.T is changing and people are adapting to fit in with the technology that as an OT we have to as well. Some peoples occupations are based on I.T. whether typing in an office and sending emails or needing to use a mobile phone. As occupations change we need to also since occupations are the base of Occupational Therapy.
Now what is ethics? You may be wondering the same thing. So to help you out (and myself) I typed it into trusty Google on my handy dandy laptop (wanted to say notebook but it’s not unfortunately) and this is what I found. Ethics are described on Dictionary.com (2012) as ‘a system of moral principles’ and ‘the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture’.
So that creates a large number of ethics that come with capturing, sharing and transferring information via I.T devices. Things such as permission for images and quotes, then sharing these without permission. Is this then a violation of privacy? How much privacy do you get with I.T.? If somebody stole a phone or laptop that had no security on it you could acsess peoples whole life. This could then be used in horrible ways to annoy the owner of the devices.
Also how much should we rely on I.T. Is there a chance that we may rely on I.T. too much and this could do damage to us? I always remember my mum saying to me as a kid ‘Don’t sit so close to the screen, you’ll get square eyes’. Is that possible?? I wonder what she thinks now with the amount of hours I spend on my laptop.
Also am I going to get arthritis in my thumb from texting to much?
Another ethical issue that some people may find with I.T. is that it is anti-social. Some see this as a bad thing where others debate this and say they are more social with the use of skype and facebook.
So that creates a large number of ethics that come with capturing, sharing and transferring information via I.T devices. Things such as permission for images and quotes, then sharing these without permission. Is this then a violation of privacy? How much privacy do you get with I.T.? If somebody stole a phone or laptop that had no security on it you could acsess peoples whole life. This could then be used in horrible ways to annoy the owner of the devices.
Also how much should we rely on I.T. Is there a chance that we may rely on I.T. too much and this could do damage to us? I always remember my mum saying to me as a kid ‘Don’t sit so close to the screen, you’ll get square eyes’. Is that possible?? I wonder what she thinks now with the amount of hours I spend on my laptop.
Also am I going to get arthritis in my thumb from texting to much?
Another ethical issue that some people may find with I.T. is that it is anti-social. Some see this as a bad thing where others debate this and say they are more social with the use of skype and facebook.
I guess you really need to make your own choice when you work with clients to what technology you use. I’m sure that life stage come into this. My dad got his first email address this year and is still only learning how to use the internet efficiently, I feel this relates to the generation he was brought up in. Also my father is a builder so has never needed I.T. in his occupation.
Each client we treat will be Individual and different. I think if we keep our minds and eyes open to I.T. we will be effective OT’s that can use all sorts of interventions to enable our clients to live life to the fullest.
K x
References
Information Technology. (2006). In D. Bardsley (Eds). The New Zealand School Dictionary (4th.ed.) South Melbourne, Australia: Oxford.
Dictionary.com. (2012). Ethics. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ethics
Dictionary.com. (2012). Information Technology. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Information+Technology
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