Working+with+ICT

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Code of Conduct
//•// //Acceptable standards of ICT use//: •Written by employer & signed by employee •Should ensure ethical use of ICT •If breached, warnings / dismissal may ensue

Teleworking
The ability to perform job related tasks to send and recieve data from home.

Telecommuting
The ability to perform job related tasks to send and recieve data from a central office without having to be physically present. e.g. Sales representative would not need to return to an office to write up a report, it is possible to complete work through the use of internent and wifi connections.

//**Telecommuting/Teleworking**//

Teleworking is strictly from **home**. Telecommuting is carrying out job-related tasks from an **off-site location** e.g. a hotel.

Video Conferencing
Allows face-to-face meetings without being in the same room, or even the samge geographical area. e.g. international banking - saves costs of commuting to other countries. Use of webcams and microphones. Sending audio and video requires high band width and is therefore compressed and then decompressed using software called a **codec** (coder/decoder).

Health & Safety
RSI an what not

Moral and Ethical Issues
= = •   •  Disinformation – Giving false information (e.g. failing to give full information regarding compulsory upgrade costs)   • Employment Patterns – Fewer people working 9-5 – Employees ever “off duty”? • Equity – Poorer countries excluded from IT revolution – “digital divide”

Viruses and Other Threats
 • Inappropriate use of ICT • Viruses • Inappropriate use of Mobiles (theatre, bullying) • Computer Crime (hacking, phishing etc) Files PowerPoint presentation used in class

Exam Questions:


 * Further Exam Questions **

Give the name of a job that is suitable for teleworking and give a reason why this job is particularly suited to teleworking (2 marks)

A job that is suitable for teleworking is a mum that has just gone on to maternity leave so she can still work while still looking after the children. Also a telesalesman that doesn't require the need for an office and it is a quieter enviroment for working. Luke I know what you mean here, but you may be penalised for the first example as f you are on maternity leave, you wouldn't be working at all. Perhaps once the baby is born the employee could undertake teleworking so she could work more flexible hours / work from home. The telesales example is fine. Currently 2/4

Explain how ICT can enable staff working in different places to communicate effectively (8 marks)

Describe 3 disadvantages of using ICT for communicating in the workplace (6 marks)

If an organization is dependent upon the use of ICT to communicate and the system then went offline, there would be huge problems as work would be very difficult, particularly if workers need to collaborate on what they are working on. For example... A second disadvanage is the IT system could be open to abuse by employees. Examples of this would be searching the internet for unsuitable websites, or sending private emails on work time, offenses classed as malpractice. This could mean... A third disadvantage could be the cost implication of relying on ICT. The cost of all of the hardware and devices would be high and there is also a likelyhood that the organization would need to employ an ICT technician to ensure the systems are maintained correctly and efficiently. [Mikeyy :o)] These are valid points, Mike and if there was a little more detail on the first 2 points, you would get full marks (currently 4/6). I would suggest that difficulties in communication would also be a disadvantage - as there is no non-verbal communication when sending emails, communication can suffer and people stop talking to each other, perhaps bringing a feeling of isolation. IT is good, but talking is better!