Professional Ethics and Time Management

This assignment discusses the significance of adhering to a professional code of ethics, particularly in the context of the Australian Computer Society. It emphasizes the importance of employee participation in usability testing and the implications of professionalism on workplace dynamics. Additionally, it explores the concept of procrastination, personal experiences with time management, and strategies for improvement. The assignment highlights the need for effective communication and the role of persuasive language in conveying messages, particularly in formal speeches.

Question 1
One essential characteristic of a professional code of ethics body is that members should stand for by a
particular code of ethics. In case of ACS, members are required to demonstrate honesty, competence,
prioritize public interest, personal development, enhance the quality of life and maintain professionalism
[1]. Failure to abide by the code of ethics could result do disciplinary actions and can be used as grounds for
a claim of professional neglect. In this case, it can be argued that the employees are not free to make their
choice and decide whether or not to sign the consent form. This can be because, employees have already
signed an employee contract that probably requires them to abide by all company rules that could include
participating in a usability testing [2]. The employees are therefore not free to make a choice and would be
required to accept the usability testing even when they many not want to participate. Also, the ACS code of
ethics states that a professional should act with competency, agreeing to sign the consent form means that
they are action in a professional manner in order to fulfill their duty. On the other hand, the employee
contract may not have included such undertakings which in this case leaves the employee to decide
whether or not to participate in the usability testing. Professionalism will require the employees to
participate in the testing since they are required to respect both their employee and fellow employees( the
development team) so they are not free to make a choice of leaving out the test. In the work, employees
are also required to enhance the quality of life of anyone affected by their work. Employee choice of not
participating in the testing has a direct effect on the performance of the development team since they may
fail to get the right feedback. The company has already paid for the testing, professionalism commands that
employees should not waste company resources. Because of this, they are therefore not free to make their
choice of whether to participate in test or not.
Question 2
Persuasion involves the process of inspiring somebody, through the use of communication, to alter a
specific attitude, belief or behavior [3].The speaker attempt to win the language through the use of
linguistic devices. He uses persuasive language including emotive lexical choice, repetition and phonetic
features. The speakers tells the audience of his intents to make equal the chances for all Australians,
irrespective of their origin. The speaker combines these amongst other basics to form a consistent, official
speech.
The speaker uses repetition to allow him to incessantly reestablish his argument and to unfailingly remind
the listeners of the issues he is attending to [4]. This is seen in the apologies he makes. For instance, the

speaker apologizes for the laws made by parliaments and the government that have inflicted pain, loss and
suffering to Australians. He apologizes for the removal of the indigenous families hurt and suffering. The
repetition ‘we apologize for’ establishes the fact that he wants his message conveyed successfully. The
speaker also uses emotive language and puts the listeners under the impression n that he understands the
pain and the hardship of the stolen generation. This makes the audience connect with the speech and truly
feel, and receive the apology. This is used in combination with repetition to apply the features and allow
fluency throughout the speech. Creating emotions in the speech also clearly shows that the speaker wants
his message to be really understood by his audience. He uses lexical choice which is seen in ‘The pain,
suffering and hurt of these stolen generations.’ His accurate use of adjectives also creates an emotive feel
and further influences the audience to receive his message which is aimed at making up for all the harms
against the stolen generations by the government. The speaker also in addition uses phonetic features such
as emphatic stress when he is talking about the future of Australians [4]. He uses the word ‘All’ to include
every Australians even the once discriminated against. All these have been coined together to convey the
apology message to the listeners.
Question 3
Procrastinate happens when you put off things that you should be focusing on right now [5]. Usually people
procrastinate because they want to do something in considered pleasurable or enjoyable in favor the work
they are supposed to be focusing on. Procrastination can also be termed as the evasion of undertaking a
task that required to be accomplished [6].
Personally I procrastinate a lot when I think a task at hand is more than I can handle. My job sometimes
requires me to attempt task that are completely new and not necessarily my normal routine. If such
assignments have longer deadlines, I find myself attending to them when the deadline is fast approaching. I
always manage completing the tasks, but I have noticed that I usually rush through them. This limits the
exposure I could get if I do them within the right time frames.
Question 4
Description
Week 1-3 Learning
Describe I Have learnt a lot of skills but one that stands out for me is time management. I have reflected
on the fact that in the past, I have failed to manage and plan my time and as a result, I have
ended up wasting a lot of productive time. I have learnt that I have failed to prioritize tasks in

the past into either, most important and least important skills. Because of this, I have not been
able to achieve some of my goals.
Explore I have learnt that it is important to separate important and less important tasks
I have become aware of the fact that if I fail to manage my time, it will result to stress and
could affect my productivity
I should manage my time by planning to be able to be efficient and productive
Evaluate I am now able to separate most important tasks with less important tasks. For example, I
consider my job and school work most important compared to watching a movie or playing a
video game
I focus to complete my important tasks first as that will help achieve my goals and implement
professionalism
Plan I plan to use a to do list where I will always list the tasks I should aim to achieve weekly
My do list will list the most important tasks I should achieve each day
Such kind of planning will help me gain control, manage my time and be productive in my
school and work tasks. I will also get more time to do other things I enjoy doing. I will reduce
time wastage by making a plan.

References
[1] A. C. Society, "Australian Computer Society," Australai, April 2014. [Online]. Available:
https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/rules-and-regulations/Code-of-Professional-
Conduct_v2.1.pdf. [Accessed 25 August 2017].
[2] O. Burmeister, "HCI Professionalism: Ethical concerns in Usability Engineering," [Online]. Available:
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.19.6132&rep=rep1&type=pdf. [Accessed 25
August 2017].
[3] R. Adler, G. Rodman and C. Hutchinson, "Language," in Understanding Human Commuincation, Oxford
University Press, 2016.
[4] K. Painter, "KelliePainter.wordpress.com," 25 May 2013. [Online]. Available:
https://kelliepainter.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/language-analysis-6-sorry-kevin-rudds-apology-to-
the-stolen-generation/. [Accessed 25 August 2017].
[5] M. Tools, "Mind Tools," [Online]. Available:
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_96.htm. [Accessed 26 August 2017].
[6] C. Dictionary, "Cambridge Dictionary," [Online]. Available:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/procrastinate. [Accessed 26 August 2017].