Competency Category:

Competency Series:

9.1 – Use Digital Technology

Purpose & Context

Career Development Professionals (CDPs) use digital technology to access and share information, and to develop and deliver programs and services.

Effective Performance

Competent career development professionals must be able to:

P1. Use online research technology:
- Select platform
- Define keywords
- Determine selection criteria for information sources
- Search keywords
- Evaluate source of information
P2. Use communication and collaboration applications, e.g. webinars to present to remote audiences, document-hostingsites to work with remote colleagues, social media to maintain a professional network
P3. Use learning technologies, e.g. Learning Management Systems to deliver online training
P4. Ensure accessibility of materials, e.g. captions on video and alternative text on images
P5. Apply cybersecurity procedures, for example:
- Use password strength indicators, e.g. create secure password, change password often, do not share password
- Use secure internet connections, e.g. do not use public networks
- Update security software as required
- Use secure web browsers and search engine
- Follow protocol for allowing/removing cookies
- Verify authenticity of emails or attachments
- Report suspected breach of security immediately
P6. Resolve computer or applications issues, for example:
- Check power supply and internet connection, e.g. surge protection, battery status
- Check online for solutions
- Seek assistance if issue persists

Knowledge & Understanding

Competent career development professionals must know and understand:

K1. Digital technology software, e.g. Skype, PowerPoint, Brightspace
K2. Web accessibility principles, e.g. text alternatives for non-text content
K3. Connectors and their proper usage, e.g. USB, HDMI
K4. Wireless connections and their proper configuration, e.g. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
K5. Legislation, e.g. protection of intellectual property
K6. Types of information sources
K7. Indicators of poor computer performance

Contextual Variables

Competent career development professionals must be able to perform this competency in the following range of contexts:

CDPs may need to become familiar with operating systems used by their organization’s IT systems.

In some organizations, browsing and search activities may be monitored or limited, and access to technical support may be limited.

CDPs may use specialized software applications to perform work related activities, e.g. develop presentation, analyze data, use database, conduct research

Glossary & Key References

Terms

Industry-specific terms contained in the standard defined here, where applicable.

Collaborative applications: programs in which multiple users sharing management of information files.

Cybersecurity: programs and processes to protect systems, networks and programs from cyber-attacks.

Software applications: computer programs.

Information Sources and Resources for Consideration

Web Accessibility Initiative, 2019. Accessibility Principles. https://www.w3.org/WAI/fundamentals/accessibility-principles/.

Context Rating Scales

Criticality

Q: What is the consequence of a professional being unable to perform this skill according to the standard?

Minimal risk: SOMEWHAT CRITICAL

Frequency

Q: How frequent and under what conditions is this skill performed?

Routinely, regular course of procedure

Level of Difficulty

Q: Under routine circumstances, how would you rate the level of difficulty in performing this skill?

Moderate difficulty or complexity

Time Required to Gain Proficiency

Q: What is the average length of time or number of repeated events that are minimally necessary for an individual to become proficient in performing the skill to the standard?

A career development professional will require varying length of experience depending on frequency of technology use and use of specific applications.

Autonomy

Practitioners typically perform this competency without supervision, and alone.

Automation

It is very likely that this competency will automate.

Requisite Work Aids, Tools, Equipment or Materials

None

Our Purpose

Thank you for being a part of the Career Development Professional Centre. To ensure that all members have the best possible experience, we have a few ground rules that we ask everyone to adhere to. This code of conduct applies equally to every person in the community and is intended to foster an online space that is inclusive, safe, and welcoming to all.

Centre Rules

Be welcoming

We strive to be a place that welcomes and supports people of all backgrounds and identities. We aim to be a place that promotes excellence and innovation in career and workforce development. Please extend respect to all members; we all come from different backgrounds and levels of knowledge and there is no such thing as a stupid question.

Be respectful

We won’t all agree all the time, but when we disagree don’t let those disagreements turn into personal attacks. A place where people feel uncomfortable or threatened will not be a productive one. When having discussions in the online community, commenting on a library article, or participating in other Centre activities, strive for productive conversations around the content being presented, not the person behind the content. Any comments determined to be “hate speech” towards any individual or group will be deleted, and the user account may be locked until an investigation regarding the comment has been concluded. The user may be given a written warning or removed from the CPDC platform depending on the findings of the investigation.

Hate Speech could include and is not limited to:

Violent threats or language directed against another person

Discriminatory jokes, language, or materials

Defamatory or abusive language or materials

Profane or illegal materials

Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior

A good rule of thumb is to never say anything that you wouldn’t be comfortable with the world seeing or that you wouldn’t want anyone knowing came from you. We ask that you keep in mind the focus of this place, which is building excellence and innovation in career and workforce development for all individuals.

Be considerate of the purpose of the Centre

The Centre focuses on building excellence and discussing innovation in the career and workforce development field. The goal of the social learning community is to communicate goals, challenges, constructive feedback, and questions in relation to career and workforce development. The Centre should be a place for continued learning and development as well as a place to discuss the future of our field (solicitation without written consent by the Project or Advisory team, is strictly prohibited). Any post or comment that is determined to be soliciting any individual or group will be deleted, and the user account may be locked until an investigation regarding the post has been concluded. The user may be given a written warning or removed from the CPDC platform depending on the findings of the investigation.

Post your discussions or documents in the most appropriate group or topic

Especially within the social learning community, make reasonable efforts to ensure that posts and materials are allocated to the appropriate group or topic. This will prevent cluttering the feed and make it easier for everyone to find the information that they are seeking. Individuals who do this repeatedly will be contacted by one of the group admins and asked to follow these guidelines.