So.... to demonstrate my learning throughout this course, I get to dazzle you with amazing knowledge, definitions and insight into technology in 2010 and beyond!



Tute 1: Information Technology is "the production, storage and communication of information using computers and electronic technology."



Information Communication Technology (ICT) "allow users to participate in a rapidly changing world in which work and other activities are increasingly transformed by access to varied and developing technologies."




so... how is this form of technology prevelent in our society and how commonplace has it become?



Technology is all around us 24 hours a day and has become so commonplace, we fail to recognise it as 'technology'. In a day, I interact with various forms of IT almost continuously, from catching up with friends and family via instant messaging either on my mobile phone or email or going online to buy groceries, filling the car up with petrol and even in the running of our business. We are almost a cashless society and systems have become so easy to use, even the baby boomers are using it!



so what do I feel comfortable and competent using?



Im pretty confident using the banking systems including cashflow and credit cars. Email, digital cameras, video cameras, mobile phones and MSN are all sweet and I'm new to Facebook so I'm sure I'll be an expert at that soon!!!!!
Moodle definitely has its moments, as does my laptop but that's just because I'm a technophobe! Electronics in cars, the latest tvs, dvd players and photocopiers are a challenge thought....and the list goes on! Luckily I'm doing POI 1!

IT in OT....

Twice a year, we are lucky enough to go out on Fieldwork placements around NZ. Here we see IT being used in a variety of settings. In my Fieldwork experiences, there have been many forms of IT being used. Therapists are connected to other professionals via mobile phones, documents are emailed, scanned or stored for instant use when required. The Intranet holds documents of all descriptions and tests results were available for viewing by other practioners within the setting. The internet is accessed for sourcing information on equipment or for communications with outside agencies. In therapy, IT tools are used such as Wii, which simulates sports which encourages movement, creates distraction and improves function, dexterity and balance.

so... what are the ethical implications that arise from capturing, sharing and transferring information via IT devices, such as mobile phones.... or systems, such as the internet?

Privacy and confidentiality are major ethical implications. At present there are few laws to protect people against this, as global information transfer has exploded over the past two decades. Copyright and intellectual property have been around for longer and therefore there are more stingent laws around these. In time, laws will no doubt evolve.

The last three definitions for this post are....

Computer Ethics Computer Ethics is a branch of practical philosophy which deals with how computing professionals should make decisions regarding professional and social conduct.

Intellectual Property
Intellectual property (IP) is an umbrella term used for human innovations and creativity that are capable of being protected under national law and international treaties. IP includes a diverse range of commercial assets from patents for new inventions through to copyright protected artworks.

Social Justice is "usually thought of in terms of how benefits and burdens should be distrubuted fairly among members of a society, or ideally, how all people in a society should have the same rights, benefits, and opportunities" (Butts & Rich, 2008, p. 49).

References:

Butts, J. B., & Rich, K. L. (2008). Nursing ethics: across the curriculum and into practice. (2nd ed.). London: Jones and Bartlett Publishers International.

Crozier, J., Grandison, A., Hucker, H., McKeown, C., Summers, E., & Weber, P. (Eds.). (2008). Collins essential English dictionary. (3rd ed.). Italy: HarperCollins Publishers.

Computer ethics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 6, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_ethics

Information Communication Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved March 6, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_Communication_technology

Intellectual Property. (n.d.). Retrieved March 6, 2010, from http://www.iponz.govt.nz/cms/what-is-ip/what-is-intellectual-property