Tutorial Two: Digital Imaging

In tutorial one we looked at digital imaging and were asked to answer a few questions regarding this topic.

Here are some ways that digital images are stored, transferred and manipulated using information technology. I have also provided three examples of the use of digital imaging to provide information and recording. Video Cameras – professional, camcorder, webcams Live preview digital cameras, you can take photos to provide information for parents or loved ones of clients that you are working with so they can see what their loved one gets up to during your therapy practice.  Laptops, you can send photos or videos of clients to loved ones through blogs or emails so that they are able to see the progress that their loved one is making.  Hand helds - you are able to make videos of clients and then send the hand held home so that the family members can see a video of tasks that you have completed with clients. Camera phones- Camera phones are a useful alternative to hand helds or digital cameras. They are smaller and are easy to take photos or videos so that family members can observe what the client is getting up to during the sessions.  Kodak easyshare- You are able to store photos and videos so that family members can access them on a computer and observe photos and videos of their loved ones. Flicker- Family members of clients that you are working with are able to access photos and videos from home and leave comments on photos and videos of clients

“A new technology is rarely superior to an old one in every feature” Above is a statement which relates to digital camera technology. Below I have considered some pluses and minuses that digital camera technology holds in relation to the more traditional film based cameras.  Just because a company says that a digital camera is “new and improved” does not by any means mean it actually is highly superior to the older models. Companies bring out newer models of things to make more money. A plus of the new digital camera technology is that it provides the ability to delete pictures off the camera to save room. It also allows the owner to pick which photos to print out instead of having to print out the whole lot. It also allows the owner to print out the pictures themselves instead of having to wait a day until the shop prints them out for them. A film camera however is future proof. They are always bringing out new and improved camera’s and scanners. A scanner you brought 3 years ago for $1500 is now worse than a $500 scanner you find in a shop today. The technology is always upgrading.

Below I have explored two ethical issues that may arise through the prevalence of image capturing and distribution using IT.  Privacy- Taking pictures of someone that is in a non-public place without their permission is an offense and is actually illegal. Using photos that someone else has taken- It would be unethical and dishonest to use photos that another person has taken and pass them off as your own.

Below I have discussed a way in which digital images could be used during occupational therapy practice. To use in a progress diary. Take pictures of the client during the first session with you as the OT and then record their progress throughout the duration of their treatment with you. At the end of the treatment reflect on how far they have come and use the digital images as examples.