Hey welcome to my blog =) This blog has been created for the paper Participation in Occupation One, as part of the Occupational Therapy course that I am doing.
This blog will allow you to see what we are learning in class about people, their occupations and how technology can help people participate in meaningful occupations.
Digital images can be stored, transferred and manipulated using information technology. Some of the terms used in Information Technology are hardware and software. I will provide you with some examples of each that I am familiar with but before I do that I will tell you what they mean.
A computer system comprises of hardware and software (Liverpool, 1997).
Hardware is the physical medium for example: Circuit boards, keyboards and processors (Liverpool, 1997).
Software are computer programs, for example: operating systems, editor and compilers (Liverpool, 1997).
We use hardware and software in our everyday lives. Some of the hardware that I use is my laptop, my external hard drives, my iPod and my cellphone. With my laptop, I have a mouse that I can connect up through a USB connection. My external hard drives and my iPod are all linked up or connected to my laptop through USB cords. This allows me to use my hardware on my laptop's software. Some of the software that I use regularly are Facebook, iTunes, moodle/blackboard, emails, Skype and so many other websites that are out there.
Here are three examples of digital imaging that are used to provide information and recording:
Digital information can also come in the form of scanned documents.
Photos are used to capture memories and provide information of an event that happened at a certain time.
Photos and digital information can be stored as hard copies on USBs or disks rather than on a computer.
The clip below shows some examples of digital imaging:
"A new technology is rarely superior to an old one in every feature"
Digital vs. Film
Some people love the old film cameras where you can get the photos developed and then some people love digital cameras because you can see the photos before you pay to get them printed. Here are some pros and cons of both types:
Film Cameras/Photos
Pros
Fun to develop
Clearer colour tones
Surprise at the final product
Cons
If you lose the negatives you can't get the photo's back
Photos are easily damaged
Can't get film rolls developed anymore
Digital Cameras/Photos
Pros
You can take more pictures
Can delete unwanted pictures
Easy to use
Cons
You need a place to store the pictures
Risk of losing photos that are stored on the computer.
Non standard batteries/cables
Ethical Issues
With all the information technology that is available to us in today's society, it is quite important to know the types of ethical issues that surround the use of photos. I will be discussing privacy and getting informed consent to use a picture with people in it.
Privacy is a very important ethical issue as some people may feel that a picture of them on a website might be an invasion of there privacy, so this is where informed consent comes in. If you are taking pictures in a public area and are going to use those pictures on a website you need to get informed consent from any people that are captured in your photo. Thisarticlediscusses New Zealand's perspective on taking photos in a public place. It presents a court case where the defendant was convicted of behaving in an offensive manner in a public place for taking inappropriate photos of people without their knowledge.
Photos in Occupational Therapy
Photos can be used in several ways to enhance occupational therapy practice. For example when working at a hospital most staff are required to wear ID badges so that patients and other staff can identify them and what their role within the hospital is. Here is an example of a photoID.
Photos are also used for capturing moments so that places like rest homes and schools can use the photos to advertise their business through pamphlets and websites.
References:
University of Liverpool. (1997) What is hardware and software. Retrieved on April 13th, 2011 from http://www.liv.ac.uk/HPC/HTMLF90Course/HTMLF90CourseSlidesnode3.html
When I do study for this course or when I'm working on my blog, I like to listen music and this song is currently one of my favourites, so I thought I would share it with you =)
Enjoy!!
The song is called Coming Home by Diddy ft. Skylar Grey
The focus of my posting today is Information Technology and Ethical Issues.
Firstly what is Information Technology (also known as IT)?
Here is a definition of IT from an online dictionary:
"IT stands for 'Information Technology' and is pronounced 'I.T.' 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, 2011).
This definition of IT is covers quite a lot of the different aspects of IT in today's society. For me IT means that I am able to connect with family and friends all around the world at the click of a button. We are also able to connect to a variety of sources for information for school projects, work or even for fun. I could also argue that IT has become a bigger and broader community as it can now includes iPods/MP3s, iPads, phones, game consoles and many more forms of electrical communication and storage devices that are used in society. For example I myself have an external hard drive as well my computers hard so that I am able to back up my work and keep important photos safe so that I can use them in the future.
We live in an age of information where information technology has become a part of our everyday lives. This little video clip shows the progression of technology over the years.
My experience with IT over the years has been very full on to be honest. I started using a computer when I was around 10 years old. I taught myself how to use programs like Microsoft Excel, word and Powerpoint etc so I feel very confident around technology as I always up for learning something new. I also did IT classes at school to increase my knowledge and skills with a computer. I feel very comfortable using IT but I do feel a bit uncomfortable using programs like Moodle or Blackboard where all my learning tools and information is online rather than face to face.
Occupational Therapy has developed many uses for today's technology. When I was on placement the rest home staff would use computers and digital cameras. The computers were used to communicate with other staff members. The computers were also used to create patient profiles to go in the patients room or around the home. Equipment orders for clients were also done online when required. Digital cameras were also used to take pictures of the clients and activities that they were participating in at the time. The pictures would then be used to by the home to advertise the rest home and the pictures would also go on the patient profiles.
Using technology in this day and age is vital to communicating with people all around the world for business or pleasure. It is important as OT's that we keep up to date with it as it allows us to
improve our communication with clients and other health professionals. In today's society we are constantly surrounded by a range of different technologies and by having an understanding of how to use it greatly improves our ability to engage with today's society.
Ethics
There are a lot of ethical implications that arise from the capturing, sharing and transferring of information through IT devices like mobile phones and IT systems like the internet. One of the major ethical issues with technology is a privacy. When we post things to blogs, Facebook, we need to make sure that we don't breach other people's privacy. We also have to be careful when posting things online as it may bring up who the recording or pictures belong too. This then brings in the issue of Copyright and ownership. People can post things online anonymously which can lead to the lack of responsibility of what is being said. This can mean that people are less concerned about what they say and do online.
Intellectual Property
I hear you ask what is Intellectual Property? "Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind: inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce" (Intellectual Property, 2011).
This means that if someone creates something, for example a journal article, no one can use or take credit for their idea without acknowledging the person in some form, for example referencing in assignments. In OT practice it is necessary to have evidence to justify a clinical decision. It is important that if you use someone else's work or idea that you acknowledge it, as it is their intellectual property not yours. Even when you work online and use someone else's work or ideas you need to acknowledge it as their intellectual property.
Social Justice
Social justice is "the fair distribution of advantages, assets, and benefits among all members of a society" (Social Justice, 2006).
Social justice is generally refers to the idea of a society that is based on the principles of equality and unity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognises the dignity of every human being. This can include new technologies. In OT practice we are sometimes required to buy new technology for clients as the older technology is not longer compatible for them. Sadly the large cost associated with technology can limit us in trying to get what the client needs. However an OT can apply for funding on behalf of the client if the technology would be a great benefit to their daily lives.
Informed Consent
"Consent given with the full knowledge of the risks involved, probable consequences and the alternatives" (Informed Consent, 2011).
This means that every person has the right to choose and say no if they want to. Before undertaking any procedure, research or treatment with a person it is a legal requirement that you inform them of all the options and possible outcomes. This allows the person to make an informed decision about the procedure or treatment based on their life experiences and goals. As an OT it is important that we gain informed consent from out clients. For example you may want to record a session with a particular client, you would need to explain what the information will be used for, who will see it and what will happen to the information after it has been used.
These are the three main ethical issues that OT's need to consider when working with technology.
References:
Definition of Intellectual Property. (2011). Retrieved on Friday 8th, April 2011 from http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/
Definition of Informed Consent. (2011). Retrieved on Friday 8th, April 2011 from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/informed-consent.html
Definition of Social Justice. (2006). Retrieved on Friday 8th, April 2011 from http://www.glenbow.org/mavericks/teacher/english/thm_poli/glossary.html
The Tech Terms Dictionary. (2011). IT (Information Technology). Retrieved on Friday 25th, March 2011 from http://www.techterms.com/definition/it
