Tutorial One: Information Technology and Ethical Issues

Information Technology/Information Communications Technology is defined as "the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware." IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely retrieve information.
(Answers Corporation, 2010. Wiki Answers. Retrieved, June 3 2010 from http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_information_technology)

Information Technology is very prevalent in our society because people have become so reliant on it. IT devices have become extremely common place, they are used in such a wide range of places they make the functioning of a work place run more smoothly and efficiently but the are also used at home for socialization such as emails and phone calls as well as providing families with activities to engage in together.

I feel comfortable using most IT devices, especially things like computers, digital cameras and cell phones because these are all devices that i commonly use. So because I have had exposure to a range of devices I feel like this would make it easier for me to figure out how to use devices that are new to me.

I have had placements in mental health settings so i saw IT devices such as a Wii, computers, cameras and T.V's being used to provide clients with the opportunity to engage in meaningful occupation. As well as being used with the clients, the staff rely heavily on the use of email and cell phones to stay in contact with other team members and get messages about clients.

Ethical implications that arise from capturing, sharing and transferring information via IT devices can involve not having the correct informed consent. The more technology develops the more the likely hood of people misusing the technology will increase such as using other peoples information or work without getting there consent.

Computer Ethics is defined as 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".
(TechTerms.com, 2005-2010. Computer ethics. Retrieved June 3 2010 from http://www.techterms.com/definition/computerethics)

Intellectual property 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.
TechTerms.com, 2005-2010. Intellectual property. Retrieved June 3 2010 from http://www.techterms.com/definition/computerethics)

"Social justice is based on the concepts of human rights and equality and involves a greater degree of economic egalitarianism through progressive taxation, income redistribution or even property redistribution".
(Answers Corporation, 2010. Social justice. Retrieved June 3 2010, from http://www.answers.com/topic/social-justice)

"Informed consent is a phrase often used in the law to indicate that the consent a person gives meets certain minimum standards. As a literal matter, in the absence of fraud, it is redundant. An 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 concerned must have adequate reasoning faculties and be in possession of all relevant facts at the time consent is given".
(Answers Corporation, 2010. Informed consent. Retrieved 3 June 2010, from http://www.answers.com/topic/informed-consent#Law_Encyclopedia_d)

It is important that we have an large understanding of information technology communications and all the ethical issues it encompasses because it will help us in out practice and daily lives by being aware of the technology that is used in communities everywhere. We will also then have the ability to successfully keep up with the technology that gets used in the workplace to help with things such as documentation.