We use information technology in everyday life. Information
technology has become increasingly commonplace as we continue to increase our
use of information technology through a range of devices such as laptops, iPads
and cellphones. The portable, accessible nature of this technology makes it
very versatile and usable in a multitude of environments. Blogging, YouTubing
and Facebooking are a few of the many ways we interact with this technology.
(Above:) A video that illustrates the dramatic increase and frequency of the use of Information Technology in our day to day lives. The change in communication, information processing and interpersonal interactions.
I am very comfortable using IT as I use a number of
different IT technologies on a day-to-day basis. I am required to use Moodle
for my tertiary studies, two different emailing websites for both academic and
personal reasons, as well as researching databases for assignments and posting
onto my own Facebook account. I use IT such as Facebook and Skype to engage in
occupations that I see as personally significant. Facebook allows me to connect
with both friends and family who live near me and overseas. Facebook is an
important social interaction tool and I enjoy being able to 'chat' to friends
and family using Wireless internet, my mobile phone or my laptop. Using Skype
has also become a meaningful activity for me as I see Skype as a tool that
allows me to interact with others for no cost and with 'live' video.
Within Occupational Therapy practice, IT is commonly used to
enhance an individual's ability to participate in Occupation through use of IT
tools such as iPads and Wii devices. Occupational Therapists use technology to
assist individuals with activities that have personal, leisure or productivity
significance. Technology such as iPads for sight impaired users, assistive
technology, patient databases and wheelchairs with installed Bluetooth or
Wireless controls all contribute to the expanding equipment industry that
Occupational Therapists can draw resources from. Issues surrounding the use of
IT in healthcare systems and Occupational Therapy practice can include
copyright concerns, the use of patient information and issues surrounding
informed consent.
Below: The video below illustrates one of the many ways that
iPad Applications can assist in communication and learning for autistic children as incorporated into their Occupational Therapy and Speech Language therapy sessions.
To enable occupation, an understanding of IT is invaluable
as leisure and work-related activities are increasingly reliant on the use of
technology such as Facebook, Skype, Word-Processing, Powerpoint
presentations and Blogging. For therapists, personal activities such as money
management, internet banking, transport arrangement and online shopping can all
be enabled through the use of IT which can provide a potentially simpler, more
efficient way to communicate, manage finances and participate in occupations
that we could not without this technology.
Ethical implications that can arise from information
transfer across IT systems can be issues of privacy, individuals not giving
conformed consent, greased information and varying levels of accessibility.
Miscommunications across IT devices can also cause conflict amongst work
collegues or peer groups. Issues of social justice can also be raised when
technology that is created cannot be used equally amongst the population (Wisegeek,
2012). An example of lack of social justice is visually impaired individuals
who are inhibited in their use of an IT due to the font size or level of
contrast on the website.
References:
Allen, R. (2004). The penguin english dictionary. London:
Penguin Books.
Wisegeek. (2012). What is social justice? Retrieved on
09/03/2012 from: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-social-justice.htm
TED Conferences. (2010). Kevin Kelly tells technology's epic
story. Retrieved on 09/03/2012 from: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/kevin_kelly_tells_technology_s_epic_story.html
YouTube. (2011). Dexteria fine motor skill app. Retrieved on
09/03/2012 from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqvtvBn3hzU&feature=related
Image of 'The new iPad' Retrieved on 09/03/2012 from:
http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1006409/abc_ipad3_tk_120307_wg.jpg
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