Tutorial Two: Digital Camera use and applications

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?
Plusses:
-The ability to delete images that have not turned out as well as you hoped.
-This also means less cost when printing out photos
- The chance to view photos once they have been taken.
- The ability to edit images
Minuses:
- Not getting round to printing the digital images out. Personally i have hundreds of photos stored on memory devices and still have not got round to paying to print them out.
- The ability to delete images if we do not like them. Although this does have the advantages, it also means that we miss out priceless shots that people may not like but these shots may actually capture the person how everyone else sees them. Capture them in their element.
- Batteries dying real fast especially when videoing. Chew up battery.
- The extreme technology in the new cameras means that when something gets broken it is extremely hard to fix and costly, sometimes cheaper to get a new camera.
- Digital cameras depreciate in value as soon as you purchase them because there is always something better coming out. Competitive market.
- To have a digital camera you need to have the software, technology and computer to grasp the full benefits.

List some of the ways that digital images can be stored transferred and manipulated using other communications technology.
Cd-rw SD, XD CardsComputer hard disc EmailUsb stick Cell PhonesPhoto shop MP3 PlayersSocial networks Cd Dvd

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.
Privacy is a huge issue. A lot of public places that we go digital images are being used (i.e. surveillance cameras) for surveillance and security measures, any images captured do not require consent and could easily be replicated somewhere else i.e. does burglars give written consent to have their security footage screened on the television?

Briefly discuss some of the ways that digital images could, or are, being used in occupational therapy practice.
Digital images are being used to capture environments i.e. houses, access that may need modification. Particularly useful for community physical occupational therapists.
Digital images can be used as a record of activities a service user has engaged in. and also a record of ward based activities.
Camera work could also be used as a tool in meaningful activity if a client recognises digital imagery as an interest.

Provide a brief summary of the services offered by Flickr.com
With flicker you can share your photo's and stay in touch with others, can upload and organize photo's. Then with these images you can make things like calenders, photo cubes, books, postage stamps, slide shows and much more (Retrieved May 18, 2008 from, http://www.flickr.com/).

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

Explain what the difference is between a digital and an optical zoom
Most digital cameras provide two methods for zooming: optical and digital. Unlike optical zoom, which uses the optics of the lens to magnify the size of an image, digital zoom discards pixels around the edge of an image, fitting the remaining pixels into the same space to give the appearance of zoom. Since digital zoom comes at the expense of resolution, you should always choose a camera based on its optical zoom, not the digital or combined figure. Retrieved May 18, 2008 from, www.digitalcamera-hq.com/digital-cameras/glossary-info_guide.html

Explain what is meant by the term mega pixel
A mega pixel refers to one million pixels, which is used for digital cameras as an indication of capability for the required use (Retrieved May 18, 2008 from, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-megapixel.htm).

References
Digital and Optical Zoom. (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2008 from, www.digitalcamera-hq.com/digital-cameras/glossary-info_guide.html
Flicker. (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2008 from, http://www.flickr.com/
Megapixel. (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2008 from, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-megapixel.htm

Tutorial One: Information Technology and Ethical Issues

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

Information technology (IT), also known as Information and Communication(s) Technology (ICT) and Infocomm in Asia, is concerned with the use of technology in managing and processing information, especially in large organizations. Retrieved April 13, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_Technology
Information technology n. The production, storage and communication of information using computers and microelectronics. (Hanks, P. (ed). (1989) Collins Concise Dictionary. Glasgow: Bath Press.)

Consider the definition of IT you have provided. How is this form of technology prevalent in our society? How common place has it become?
Technology has a huge prevalence in our society today, particularly the western society. As humans we have become reliant on IT to carry out alot of everyday tasks.
We have become so reliant on information technology that if someone did not have modern gadgets it would be fair to say that their systems are not working to full capacity.
Personally speaking, IT is a means of communication and information gathering that is fast and efficient. But IT has also become prevalent on other levels – business, work etc.

What IT devices or system do you feel comfortable and competent using?
Cell phones, Internet, Memory Sticks, Computers, digital camera, MP3 players, DVD players, CD/Stereo.
I am also slowly getting there with GPS and slowly on uploading and downloading information.
Please do not ask me how to tune a VCR player!

Thinking about your own fieldwork experiences consider how IT is being used in Occupational Therapy practice?
Computers were largely being used to type up and present client notes. In Waikato Health Board there was a computer system in place that all records and weekly progress notes could be accessed on this database.
One supervisor had a mild form of dyslexia and illegible handwriting and found computer processed neater and easier to understand.
Emails, particularly internal email system was a common form of communication after phone calls.
Cellphones were used for safety issues away from the ward.
Security cameras and alarm systems were used for safety of staff on secure forensic ward.
Teleconferencing was used as a means of everyone being able to attend to the meeting without having to physically being there.

What ethical implications arise from the capturing, sharing and transferring of information via IT devices (e.g. mobile phones) or systems (e.g. internet)
Confidentiality issues
Hackers
Risk of Viruses
System shutdown/failure
Privacy issues
Procedure in place to cope with system shutdown?

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 May 14, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_ethics).

Provide a definition of Intellectual Property (APA reference required)
In law, intellectual property (IP) is an umbrella term for various legal entitlements which attach to certain types of information, ideas, or other intangibles in their expressed form. The holder of this legal entitlement is generally entitled to exercise various exclusive rights in relation to the subject matter of the IP. The term intellectual property reflects the idea that this subject matter is the product of the mind or the intellect, and that IP rights may be protected at law in the same way as any other form of property. However, the use of the term and the concepts it is said to embody are the subject of some controversy (Retrieved May 18, 2008, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property).

Provide a definition of Social Justice (APA reference required)
Social justice mostly refers to an ideal of society, where "justice" refers to economic status rather than to the administration of laws. It is based on the idea of a society which gives individuals and groups fair treatment and a just share of the benefits of society, although what is "fair treatment" and a "just share" must remain unclear or subject to interpretation (Retreived May 18, 2008, 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 an appreciation and understanding of the facts and implications of an action. Retrieved May 18, 2008, 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.
Having understanding of ITC and the ethical issues it encompasses allows us to be aware of issues that we could face as professionals. Having this understanding also allows us to recognise the implications that information technology could present and also ways around how to combat this.

References
Information Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_Technology
Hanks, P. (ed). (1989) Collins Concise Dictionary. Glasgow: Bath Press.
Computer Ethics. (n.d.) Retrieved May 14, 2008, from, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_ethics
Informed Consent. (n.d.) Retrieved May 18, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informed_consent

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