In the 1960s and 1970s, the term information technology (IT) was a little known phrase that was used by those who worked in places like banks and hospitals to describe the processes they used to store information. With the paradigm shift to computing technology and "paperless" workplaces, information technology has come to be a household phrase. It defines an industry that uses computers, networking, software programming, and other equipment and processes to store, process, retrieve, transmit, and protect information (What is information technology, 2012).
ICT refers to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. It is similar to information technology (IT), but focuses primarily on communication technologies. This includes the internet, wireless networks, cell phones, and other communication mediums (Techterms, 2012).
IT and ICT are here to stay, and are the natural byproduct of an ever increasing technologically savvy society. With them come benefits to us as budding Occupational Therapists, but also a number of issues that information in such a public domain creates. Whether we are aware of it or not, the IT and ICT worlds have an impact on our daily lives. Most of us either use mobile phone, network, or internet technology on a daily basis and think nothing of it. It has established itself (in a relatively short space of time) as a part of daily life that we would suffer isolation in its absence. Ironically the more we depend on technology, the more autonomy we give it by design, making it less reliant on us (and our faults). Since the early 1940’s and the beginnings of Silicon Valley the IT industry has progressed in leaps and bounds, continuing at this geometric rate of progression you wouldn’t be laughed at for thinking information technologies “self-awareness” (made popular by movies like “Terminator”) a real possibility.
Computing power is something that is of particular significance to me. Whether it’s enabling me to play visually realistic games online with people I have never met, or creating new music using software such as “Fruity-loops”, “Cakewalk and “Acid” and of course not to mention school work. The household PC is a tool I am particularly comfortable with. The price tag involved with modern technology can be out of the range of the average polytechnic student, and this is one of the major factors limiting the full usage of these tools. The speed at which technology is continually being upgraded and superceeded means that in order to stay current a respectable amount of money is required.
As a young first year occupational therapy student on placement at a complex wheelchair seating venue, I was impressed to see the level of technology going into the control systems and comfort systems of the modern powered wheelchairs. The powered chairs were completely customizable not only in the physical comfort of the seat itself but also in the programmable controls. This took into consideration the client’s own abilities and needs and gave them maximum benefit from the chair. The downside of this was that the chairs needed their own technicians to be able to encode their systems adding an extra expense.
Information Technology is a valuable tool for practice. It can be as meaningful as to be able to allow communication in the case of “I-Gaze” technology or as simple as being used as a demonstrative tool, in the form of on-line tutorials. Some of the underlying principles of IT are that things can be achieved faster with less effort, with greater communication, and that more of this in total can be achieved. I feel these concepts can be applied to any workplace/practice or environment (albeit carefully) to enhance the experience and effectiveness for all involved.
Ethically speaking however a whole new set of problems opens up. The concepts of “more, Faster and easier” need to be applied to awareness as well as the goals of information technologies use. An example of these types of issues can be plainly seen in social networking sites, and their ability to make people visible to the entire world (which is not always a good idea). A simple disclosure can lead to all manner of implications for the person involved. Data hijacking, cyber bullying are other issues that come to mind when looking into social networking, usually targeting younger members of society.
Techterms. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.techterms.com/definition/ict
What is information technology. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-information-technology.htm
