Tutorial One - Information Technology and Ethical Issues

This content of this post is taken from Tutorial One Worksheet -

Information Technology (IT) / Information Communications Technology (ICT) refers to anything related to computing technology, such as networking, hardware, software, the Internet, or the people that work with these technologies.
http://www.techterms.com/definition/it

We now live in what has been termed the ‘information age’ and regard IT as part of our everyday lives. Even in very poor countries IT is emerging as a recognised communication system – when I was in Madagascar 5 years ago I travelled 3 hours from the nearest town along dirt roads to find a single building at the road end which had a computer installed and internet access!

I’m comfortable using my cellphone, computer, the internet, e-mail, Otago Polytechnic on-line learning (although get frustrated with all systems at times). I’ve just set up skype to talk ‘free’ to my son while he is studying but I am not so keen on chat rooms, message boards, social networking etc. and prefer to get out and about for my social interaction rather than be tied to my computer.

Very little IT was used in my fieldwork experience. My supervisor was a very reluctant IT user although other OT’s in the setting were proficient with the vehicle bookings, enable requests, internal e-mail etc. Patient notes were still hand written but could be computerised. Community OT’s used cellphones to check with clients. There is potential for much greater use – prior to study I worked with a child who was non-verbal – she had a computer that enabled her to formulate sentences and speak words.

Ethically there are potential problems with consent, privacy, safe storage of information, keeping information free from corruption & copy write.

Computer Ethics
This is a 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.
http://www.techterms.com/definition/computerethics

Intellectual property
This refers to the ownership of intangible and non-physical goods. This includes ideas, 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. Since intellectual property is intangible, it is more difficult to protect than other types of property.
http://www.techterms.com/definition/intellectualproperty

Social Justice
This is the overall fairness of a society in its divisions and distributions of rewards and burdens
http://www.sociologyguide.com/weaker-section-and-minorities/Social-Justice.php

In IT terms this could relate to the disadvantage of students who are unable to afford computers and should society – to be fair – provide these students with computers.

Informed Consent
This is consent given with full knowledge of the risks involved, probable consequences and the risks involved.
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/informed-consent.html