Tutorial seven: assisitve technology

This tutorial gave students an insight into assistive technology that is used within occupational therapy.

Assistive technology according to Cook and Hussey 2002 is any peice of equipment that aims to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities.

A piece of equipment that was looked at within this tutorial was the ergo rest. The ergo rest is an assistive technology that is attatched to the desk to support the users arm and wrist and helps them to glide over the keyboard when typing. It is adjustable to suit the persons need and can be easily fitted to the desk and removed if needed to transport by just unscrewing the clamp. The approximate cost for an ergo rest is fifty dollars. It comes in a range of types and sizes to cater to the persons needs and so it can be attatched correctly to the desk.

An ergo rest can increase functional capability for example for a client with a Traumatic brain injury or has had a stroke. If they had weakness in their arm the ergo rest could support their arm whilst at the computer to reduce fatigue maximising the amount of time that could spend there whether they were using the computer for work or leisure

Tutorial four and five: Video production sessions

In this tutorial students looked at how to develop a storyboard and use scripting to create a video and then edit and upload the video onto you tube.

YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload, view and share video clips.
Retrieved on 5th of June 2009 from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_tube_(website)
You tube allows anybody to create an account with gmail and then join up with youtube. From there you can view millions of videos uploaded from around the world whether it is music, people's points of view, current affairs, educational and the list goes on. Just about anything can be found on youtube and just like blogs there is also a community where members view videos and comment on them just as you can do to others.
To view other peoples videos one must type in a name or key word and the search engine will bring up anything relevant. To upload your own video you just follow the easy steps which include naming and tagging it so that other people can find it.
To view the video that our student group uploaded to youtube you can find it on this blog in a previous post.

When creating our video we looked at two things in particular and these were scripting and storyboarding.

Scripting is a useful tool when creating a video whether it is verbal or not as it helps to create a theme, story line and structure. Our theme was based around over coming adversity so we brainstormed ideas abound this and then scripted our story which would be told within our video.

Storyboarding was also a useful tool when creating our video as it enabled us to plan the shots we would use. Storyboarding gets you to think about how the video be visually by drawing the pictures you want to have in it in the correct sequence.
It also creates flow when filming as the shooting is pre planned and ready to go.
Task Four (Blog Posting): Provide a brief summary of the services offered by YouTube. Information can be drawn from the week five tutorial hand out.

Tutorial three: Provide a brief summary of the services offered by Blogger

In this tutorial students followed a series of tasks to explore blogging, create their own blog and start posting.

A blog can be almost be described as an online diary joined as part of a lager website. It is a personal account where you can share thoughts, feelings, information and items of interest. Blogs also provide a means of communication and interaction as you can also visit other peoples blogs and leave comments just as others can do the same to yours.

Along with posting things you can also personalise your blog by choosing the the background, layout and font of your writing. You can add your favorite blogs that you like to visit and pictures such as creating s flickr badge.

Depending on how "blog savvy" you are the more exciting things you can do with your blog. Most websites have easy to follow instructions and are novice friendly. So get started and make your own blog today and enjoy the fun, education and different viewpoints they have to offer.

Tutorial Two: Digital Camera use and applications

This tutorial seeks to look at cameras, the difference between old and new, ethical issues as well as how photos can be used and utilized on photo storage websites.

A new technology is rarely superior to an old one in every feature”. Briefly discuss this statement in relation to digital camera technology. What would you consider to be some of the pluses and minuses digital camera technology holds in relation to more traditional film based cameras?

This statement compares whether getting a new camera it worth the value of keeping your old camera and asks you to weigh up the benefits. In the debate regarding digital cameras versus film cameras there are many positive and negatives in each however depending on what you want personally in a camera is what ultimately makes the better choice.
Film cameras are more expensive to develop photos as you cannot see the photo before it is printed therefore not being able to delete the bad shots before having to pay for them This is a huge strength in digital cameras as you can see the photos before the are developed allowing you to delete any "uglies".
There is however a risk in digital cameras that photos may be deleted mistakenly which is impossible to to on a film camera.
Both cameras are run by batteries however a digital camera needs a memory stick and a film camera obviously needs films.
Both options are perfectly fine,each with their own pros's and con's. Its just up to what the consumer likes best!

List some of the ways that digital images can be stored transferred and manipulated using other communications technology.

Digital images can be stored on computers or on phones and can be transferred through the use of emails, pxt or uploaded onto blogs or social networking site. Photos can also usually be manipulated on computer software such as photoshop where you can manually crop, adjust the colour, remove read eye etc to make the perfect shot.

Given the prevalence of image capturing devices, and thinking about the issues discussed in tutorial one, consider what sort of ethical issues may arise with their use.

Once again in relation to tutorial one the ethical issue is that once the photo is shared you have no control over it. For example if you uploaded a photo onto the internet and then changed your mind and deleted it, the photo would still exist and potentially be in someone Else's hands that you haven't given permission to. In regards to usingg camera's in Occupational therapy obviously the subject needs to give informed consent before those photos are taken and it must be treated as confidential information unless specified otherwise.


Briefly discuss some of the ways that digital images could, or are, being used in occupational therapy practice (include reference and links to any web sites, or blogs you might come across)

Photos can be of great help when documenting or applying for funding and in my most recent placement in community physical taking pictures was common.
Here are some examples of these:

Taking a picture of the veranda to remember where to draw steps on a plan.

Taking a picture of a client who needed an automatic door system trying to get into her home as justification for funding.

Taking a picture of damaged equipment as part of documentation.


Provide a brief summary of the services offered by Flickr.com



"Flickr is a way to get your photos and videos to the people who matter to you.

Upload
Upload from your desktop, send by email, or use your cameraphone.

Edit
Get rid of red eye, crop a photo, or get creative with fonts and effects!

Organize
Use collections, sets, and tags to organize your photos and videos.

Share
Use groups and privacy controls to share your photos and videos.
Maps
Share where your photos and videos were taken, and see photos and videos taken near you.

Make Stuff
Sexy cards, photo books, framed prints, Target pick up, DVDs, etc.

Keep in Touch
Get updates from family and friends."
Retreived on 5th June 2009 from http://www.flickr.com/tour/


Name one other photo storage website which offers a service similar to Flickr.com


Social networking sites such as facebook, my space and Bebo also allow you to upload photos and share them.


Explain what the difference is between a digital and an optical zoom

An optical zoom is more clear as it actually zooms in on the picture however a digital zoom just expands/widens or enlarges the picture. This causes the blurriness to increase the more you zoom.

Explain what is meant by the term megapixel

Megapixels refer to the amount of squares that will sit on the matt of your photo therefore the higher amount of pixels equals the higher quality of photo. For a good clear photo 6 or 7 megapixels is sufficient.

Tutorial 8 Embedding a flickr Badge

Tutorial 8 Embedding a you tube video

Tutorial six: The internet and online communites

Search online for a community which interests you, making sure you select a community that comprises some form of online forum, discussion page or chatroom.

Provide the web address and the name of the community you are investigating:
www.facebook.com

The focus of this community was originally for students at Havard university to get to know eah other, however over time it expanded to other universities then schools and is now a global social networking site. Users can join networks organised by workplaces, city, region, and school to connect and interact with others.

This community is based on interaction with others. Every memeber has their own page, where they can add photos,videos, update people on what they are doing and comment on friends pages. Along with this they can join fan groups and clubs aswell as take quizzes and even play online poker. With all of these of these items to play around with facebook truly is a social networking site.

After considering the material presented to us in class I beleive people contribute to this community because it is a way to keep in touch with old and new friends close to them and faraway aswell as also being able to share with others what they are doing which is an important aspect for most. Along with this I feel people contribute because of the many different ways they can keep in touch, for example chat, look at photos or simply see what their update is saying. People who join facebook are seeking entertainment, companionship and a way to express themselves at the touch of a button. For me personally being a member of facebook I contribute for the interaction I can have with friends accross New Zealand.

Here is an example of a conversation between two students chatting about their work

"Jeane"
im glad ur hard at work too!

3:22pm "Sarah"

you bet im going hard or going home! no slacking aroung here old pal

3:22pm "Jeane"
hah good girl! im even at the lib!!

3:24pm "Sarah"

nice job hopefully see you in the weekend!


Allthough facebook is a great tool it does however come with some danger and ethical issues. Here are some for example:

-Viruses
-People having access to your personal details
-Sexual predators
- The essence of anonymity: Who are you really talking to?
-The uploading of photos of oneself on someone else page without your permission.

All of these however can be kept in check if you are sensible and follow the facebook guidelines provided on the website.

The benefits the website along with other social networking sites over traditional methods of communities are things such as being able to share and communicate over distance(From one side of the world to the other) Also for those with less confidence it gives them a less upfront way of making friends. Another benefit is that you can be in the community instantly by logging on and is very time efficient.

However after all of the positives stated it is important to remember that these sites do not replace traditional communities completely and lack some benefits of these. Such as not building any personal skill as the communicating is not a challenging on these sites. Face to face contact is also lost and often messages can be misread as there is no body language, tone of voice or facials to read. Finally some people can get to involved and lose touch with the real world and their real lives losing out on physical relationsips and what the real world has to offer.

rach

rach
Originally uploaded by rachel_forrest

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Tutorial one: Information technology and ethical issues

This tutorial provides an overview of information technology, how it is applied today and within Occupational therapy as well as the ethical implications.

Provide a definition of Information Technology/Information Communications Technology (APA reference required)

Collins Concise dictionary states information technology is," The total knowledge and skills available in any given society." Basically to simplify that it is how information in our world is transmitted and then spread around.

Consider the definition of IT you have provided. How is this form of technology prevalent in our society? How common place has it become?

Information technology is far more common place then you would think at first glance. If we consider every possible way information is spread in our world the list gets rather lengthy. Here are just a few,
Books
Power point presentations
Mobile phones
E Books
Hard drives
G.P.S Systems
Ipods
Gaming consoles
Email
You tube
Social networking sites

And the list goes on.

What IT devices or system do you feel comfortable and competent using?

I believe that if you have the base knowledge on one system it installs confidence in using another. For example I have no problem using a social networking site which gives me experience and a benefit when it comes to setting up other web accounts.
Thinking about your own fieldwork experiences consider how IT is being used in Occupational Therapy practice?

Thinking about your own fieldwork experiences consider how IT is being used in Occupational Therapy practice?

Not only just in O.T but generally the working environment, IT is being used to create effective communication, a faster pace and more production. Specifically to O.T, emails are used to communicate between staff or team members, contact clients, applications for funding, documentation as well as most district health boards today starting the slow process of converting patient history to their databases. Cellphones and pagers are also used on the ward or to phone a patient at home for quicker communication and of course let’s not forget the telephone which is used for above purposes mentioned but also to contact equipment suppliers and families.

What ethical implications arise from the capturing, sharing and transferring of information via IT devices (e.g. mobile phones) or systems (e.g. internet)

The most profound ethical implication that may arise from placing information on these I.T devices is the risk of it being shared with someone it shouldn't’t be. Here a few scenarios to consider:

-Putting your identity on a social networking site could be possibly dangerous as anyone in the world can access it.

-Working in the a medical profession, typing confidential notes and sending them to the wrong person

-Or using online banking and being hacked by someone else.


Provide a definition of Computer Ethics (APA reference required)

“Computer Ethics is a branch of practical philosophy which deals with how computing professionals should make decisions regarding professional and social conduct.”
Retrieved on 5th of June 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_ethics

Provide a definition of Intellectual Property (APA reference required)


“Intellectual property (IP) are legal property rights over creations of the mind, both artistic and commercial, and the corresponding fields of law.”
Retreived on 5th of June 2009 from http://en.wikepedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_propertyProvide a definition of Social Justice (APA reference required)

Provide a definition of Social Justice (APA reference required)

“Social justice, sometimes called civil justice, refers to the concept of a society in which "justice" is achieved in every aspect of society, rather than merely the administration of law. It is generally thought of as a world which affords individuals and groups fair treatment and an impartial share of the benefits of society.”
Retrieved 5th June 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Justice

Provide a definition of Informed Consent (APA reference required)

“Informed consent is a legal condition whereby a person can be said to have given consent 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. Impairments to reasoning and judgement which would make it impossible for someone to give informed consent include such factors as severe mental retardation, severe mental illness, intoxication, severe sleep deprivation, Alzheimer's disease, or being in a coma.”
Retrieved 5th June 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informed_Consent


In your own words briefly summarise why (or why not) a great understanding of ITC and the ethical issues it encompasses will help us in our practice and daily lives.

I believe that it is of great importance to understand information technology and the ethical issues around us because it is swiftly becoming a large and normal part of practicing and our lives. By understanding it we can maximise its potential, use it effectively and stay safe at the same time