Tutorial One: Information Technology - use, benefits and ethical issues

Introduction and definition

In this section the focus is on the wider picture of IT – its benefits, its downsides – and recognising how much we depend on and need IT in today’s world. We also draw our mental attention to ethical issues such as social exclusion, and privacy and intellectual property.

There are various definitions of this broad term. Let us take a dictionary definition. Information technology is :

 "the technology involved in the recording, storage, and dissemination of information, esp. using computers, telecommunications etc"

(Pearsall, J. & Trumble, B. (eds) (1996), Oxford English Reference Dictionary Oxford:  Oxford University Press)

To me this definition suggests that IT is particularly about information in an electronic setting, such as with computers and other digital devices. I understand that information can be recorded, saved and stored, and retrieved and given out again, as suggested in the dictionary definition. But I admit my own thinking about IT is that it is about also the manipulation of information, and the various software and hardware which applies for using a computer in the modern world. For example, if I try to install programme X and that action has a consequence for Programme Y which is already installed on my computer, I would hope my workplace’s “IT” department could help me, even though I am not just trying to retrieve “information”. (On the other hand, I guess the programme itself is some sort of information – though it could be entertainment like a game).

Prevalence and widespread use in today's society

Computer technology and digital devices are in widespread use in our developed society. These include cellphones, tablets, game consoles and computer databases in libraries.

A Google search on the use of IT in today’s society leads us to many many sources of information on this topic. Here is just one example of a site called Slideshare.

http://www.slideshare.net/sfnyc/the-use-of-knowledge-in-todays-society

As a non-technical person (more like a digital alien than a digital migrant) I could hardly understand what Slideshare was about. I then watched 2 videos on the site, from which I learned that people join up to the site, and then can upload power point, documents and videos, see other users’ presentations, download them and remix and edit them to use for their own purposes. People can also sync MP3 audio with their slides to make lectures and webinars (this must mean attach sound in the places you want). Then, a big focus is the fact that you can get your presentations “out there” in many places, through links with Facebook, Linked In , Twitter and other social media. This apparently helps improve your business as people watch your presentations and know you.

The use of IT is increasingly prevalent, at least in developed countries.The following You Tube video discusses an initiative in a district of America to have children as young as 5 have access to hand held devices like ipod touch and Ipad in their classroom for everyday educational use.

Even as a digital alien I use IT in my daily life. I use a cellphone to text rather than email or use my land line phone . I do internet banking. I email people, and I use a digital camera, and store photos. I upload photos to the Harvey Norman website where I make hard copy books of my photos instead of the old fashioned albums.

I conclude that IT is widespread and prevalent in today's western society.

IT devices I am comfortable using  -  examples for my  purposeful occupation

I feel comfortable with cellphones and ATM banking machines. I use credit cards and etfpos cards. I use Google search and databases.

I feel very uncomfortable with new technology because it keeps changing. Sometimes it becomes more user friendly, but the simplest tasks (like downloading a You tube video) seem extremely difficult to me. I am uncomfortable with Facebook and social media – this is due to not spending enough time on it, and having a lack of interest in using computers as a leisure activity. In my mind the computer is what I “work” with, and so I spend as little of my leisure time on it as possible.

Obviously IT is crucial in many forms of purposeful occupation. For example, study, and retrieving simple information such as searching for a recipe to make a cake. I do use it to find out what movies are on at my local cinema, but as a component of the overall occupation. I do not use it as a form of occupation in itself.

Use of IT in fieldwork, Occupational Therapy practice and enabling occupation

I have seen IT use in OT practice while on my fieldwork.Obviously clinical notes are all electronic these days, and different members of the MDT can access the file on computers from different physical locations. In one setting, a maternal mental health service, clients could be lent DVDs on topics such as anxiety and baby’s communication signals. In a special needs school, a student was trialling Dynavox as a method of communicating to other people.

There are multiple ways an OT can use IT as a tool. Verdonck and Ryan (2008) give examples including:

·        Entertainment, educational, business  and social contacts for people who are socially or physically isolated

·        Memory aids on cellphones such as photos of people and auditory alarms as reminders

·       Computer games for grip strength, exercise, cognition and more.

(Verdonck M.C., & Ryan, S. (2008) Mainstream technology as an occupational therapy tool: technophobe or technogeek?  British Journal of Occupational Therapy 71(6),253-256)

OTs will need to use judgment as to the suitability and extent of appropriate IT use with each client. For example, a client with disabilities who requires training in social skills may need their programme focused onto real-world society rather than virtual internet worlds. Verdonck and Ryan (2008) cite research showing that computer game use is linked with negative effects such as aggression and addiction. (Griffiths et al, 2003, referred to in Verdonck and Ryan,2008).

I envisage IT use as very important in some areas of OT practice. This is especially true as young people in our society grow older, and have grown up with visual or kinaesthetic learning methods such as videos and interactive games. OTs have considerable involvement in educating clients, and the learning will need to be relevant to the clients.

Note too that the use of occupation as therapy will also have to take into account the cultural changes in our society . A Chard says, our “arts” today include digital photography and manipulating images and sounds on computers, and crafts can be something like playing a computer game (Chard, J. (2007). Computer games and karate: the arts and crafts of today. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(8), 329)

Here is an example of a video using the Wii for stroke therapy

In this video, a rehabilitation centre uses an adapted, large joystick instead of a mouse, as a client with very little upper extremity strength gets physical function back. He practises playing patience and moving the joystick.

Blogging is another use of IT which OTs need to understand.Here is a link to a blog OT4OT .(I think it means online technology for OTs.) The writer puts forward the benefits of blogging, including sharing ideas with other professionals and also recording one's professional activity.

http://wfotcongress2010.pbworks.com/w/page/4432021/Blogs

IT is crucial in the occupational therapy field in terms of assistive devices for clients. Here is a link to a podcast explaining the use of augmentative technology for communication. OTs need to know about the options for their clients, from simple tools and techniques without using technology (eg eyes left for yes, eyes right for no, to technological tools such as eye gazing technology to type on a screen.

http://www.abilitiesonline.org/podcasts/abilities/Abilities!_Podcasts.xml

I can see, therefore, that it will be vital for me as an OT to make technology my friend rather than my enemy. It will help me keep updated as a professional (by accessing information on conditions, ideas and adaptations). It may  help clients to achieve therapy goals in different ways –for example using a console game joystick to motivate a burned little girl to move her skin and prevent contractures on her upper extremity and shoulder. Technology is also part of meaningful occupations themselves in today’s world, for example being part of an online social group, or playing a game (yesterday’s Monopoly board game could be today’s computer game!).

Ethical implications

There are many ethical issues. One is intellectual property and copying and sharing. The rules around this are unclear to me, let alone the accepted moral code.  For example, I believe there is something called jailbreak by which kids can access Apple paying games for free, yet this must be illegal.

There are issues around privacy – many websites or on-line accessible companies make users sign terms and conditions whereby personal information can be given to associates or used as (even unidentified) market research. It is simplest to click Yes to terms and conditions whenever we see them, due to time pressures in life. Person A can be filmed without their consent, and a video uploaded to You Tube for world wide consumption within seconds.

There are issues about freedom of expression versus a right to a reputation. Opinions about people can be easily published on the web, and even if there are “legal” protections in place, in practical terms it is costly and time-consuming to try and take legal action because one’s reputation has been sullied.

A big issue is exclusivity. First, there is exclusivity due to lack of capability. For example older people or people with certain cognitive disabilities are excluded from a huge part of society today. Significantly, there is social exclusion, due to the costs of digital devices and computers. There is also a digital divide between those countries with cheap access to high speed internet highways, and those without.