week 1
Learning Aims and Objectives:
Aim: In this week's page, students will learn The advantages of personal and professional development in the digital sector.
Objectives:
1. By the end of this week's page students will be able to identify the industry and sector competence and knowledge increases that personal and professional development have on individuals
2. By the end of the week's page students will be able to explain how employability potential and employment security is improved through personal and professional development.
3. By the end of the week's page students will be able to discuss the importance of currency and relevance is to industry.
4. By the end of the week's page students will be able to identify how access to specific professional bodies can support development and learning
5. By the end of the week's page students will be able to review and reflect on how knowledge of and adherence to industry standards benefits them in their roles and the organisation they work for.
The advantages of personal and professional development in the digital sector
In any organisation the upskilling and development of its staff is vital, and can improve the overall organisations ability to be productive and possibly compliant.
Within the digital environment developments to software and hardware are speedily updated and amended. So what is the impact of this?
Increased industry and sector competence and knowledge.
In some instances organisations can use multiple different technologies and systems. The ability to provide staff and others within the organisation up to date know of the system will enable them to carry out activities competently and accurately.
Personal Development:
• Enhances individual skill sets and knowledge.
• Improves job satisfaction and career prospects.
• Increases adaptability to new technologies and methods.
Professional Development:
• Promotes career advancement and higher earning potential.
• Encourages continuous learning and staying current with industry trends.
• Strengthens problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Individual Activity (10 minutes): Self-Assessment and Goal Setting
Students complete a self-assessment of their current skills and identify areas for improvement.
Set short-term and long-term personal and professional development goals.
• What are my strengths in digital support services?
• What skills do I need to develop to advance in my career?
• What resources can I use to achieve my goals?
Group Activity (10 minutes): Development Plan Brainstorm
In small groups of 2-3, students discuss their individual goals and brainstorm ways to achieve them.
Create a collaborative development plan, including resources, timelines, and milestones.
Share plans with the class for feedback and suggestions.
Case Study 1:
Scenario: Emily, a digital support specialist, noticed the growing demand for cloud computing expertise. She completed certifications in AWS and Azure. As a result, she was able to troubleshoot more complex issues and was promoted to a senior support role.
Discussion Points:
• How did Emily’s personal development lead to professional growth?
• What specific steps did Emily take to achieve her goals?
Case Study 2:
Scenario: A tech support team adopted agile methodologies to improve their workflow. They attended agile training sessions and implemented daily stand-ups and sprints. This approach led to faster problem resolution and higher customer satisfaction.
Discussion Points:
• How did the team’s commitment to professional development improve their performance?
• What benefits did the team experience from adopting agile methodologies?
Example:
Cisco Networking Academy:
The Cisco Networking Academy offers courses and certifications that have helped students around the world launch successful careers in IT. Many students have reported improved job prospects and higher salaries after completing these programs.
Discussion Points:
• What impact can programs like the Cisco Networking Academy have on personal and professional development?
• How do these programs enhance industry competence and knowledge?
Increased employability potential and employment security
The skills that continued development can provide individuals is mutually beneficial to both organisations and thier employees. Whilst ensuring that their systems are updated to the current levels of industry standards organisations are upskilling and providing thier employees with transferable skills, qualities and knowledge that could provide them with options to move around within the digital sector and to other companies and organisations.
Achieving accreditation to specific professional discipline
This can be from globally recognisable organisations such as, Microsoft, Adobe, ISC2, Cisco, among others. These accreditations can also allow organisations to run specific systems within their infrastructure.
Group Activity: Development Plan Brainstorm
Divide into small groups. Share their individual goals with your group and brainstorm ways to achieve them. Think of, and reflect on resources like online courses, certifications, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Each group will create a collaborative development plan that includes specific actions, resources, and timelines. Groups will present their plans to the class for feedback.
Case Study 1:
Scenario: Alex, a digital support specialist, noticed the increasing importance of cybersecurity. He completed certifications in cybersecurity. As a result, he was able to handle more complex security issues and was promoted to a senior role, providing job security and career advancement.
Discussion Points:
- How did Alex’s personal development lead to increased employability and job security?
- What specific steps did Alex take to achieve his goals?
Case Study 2:
Scenario: A tech support team invested in professional development by attending industry conferences and obtaining certifications. This investment led to higher job satisfaction, improved performance, and increased job retention rates.
Discussion Points:
- How did the team’s commitment to professional development improve their employability and job security?
- What benefits did the team experience from their professional development efforts?
Example:
IBM Training Programs:
IBM offers extensive training and development programs for its employees. These programs have been shown to increase employee retention and advancement opportunities within the company.
Discussion Points:
- How do IBM’s training programs contribute to employee retention and career advancement?
- What impact can continuous professional development have on employability and job security?
Maintaining currency and relevance to industry
Due to the fast moving pace of the digital sector because of thing like security vulnerabilities professional development must be maintained, this can be looked at as a system update to you as an individual keeping you current and valid in your knowledge.
Achieving access to specific professional bodies
Knowledge of and adherence to industry standards
Objective:
Students will research and identify current industry standards related to digital support services in the UK, enhancing their understanding of the standards that guide the industry.
Materials Needed:
• Computers with internet access
• Worksheet for recording findings (provided below)
• Pens/pencils
Duration: 30 minutes
Instructions
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
• Briefly explain the importance of industry standards in digital support services.
• Discuss how these standards help ensure quality, security, and efficiency in the sector.
2. Research Activity (20 minutes)
• Provide each student with a worksheet (template provided below).
• Instruct students to use the internet to research and find information about current industry standards related to digital support services in the UK.
• Encourage students to use reliable sources such as official websites, industry publications, and educational resources.
3. Discussion (5 minutes)
• After the research time, have a brief discussion where students can share what they found.
• Highlight key standards and their significance.
Worksheet Template
Name: ___________________________________
Date: ___________________________________
Research Activity: Industry Standards in Digital Support Services
1. List three current industry standards related to digital support services in the UK:
Standard 1: ____________________________
Standard 2: ____________________________
Standard 3: ____________________________
2. Choose one of the standards listed above and answer the following questions:
What is the purpose of this standard?
Which organization or body developed this standard?
Why is this standard important for digital support services?
3. Identify two benefits of adhering to industry standards in digital support services:
Benefit 1: ____________________________
Benefit 2: ____________________________
Suggested Reliable Sources
• UK Government’s Digital Service Standard: GOV.UK Service Standard
• British Standards Institution (BSI): BSI Group
• Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): ICO Guide to GDPR
• ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Standard: ISO/IEC 27001
Discussion Points
• What are some common themes across the different standards?
• How do these standards impact daily operations in digital support services?
• Why is it important for professionals in digital support services to stay updated with these standards?
This activity helps students actively engage with the material, develop research skills, and understand the importance of industry standards in the digital support services sector
Case Study 1:
Scenario: Maria, a digital support specialist, pursued certifications in ITIL to improve her understanding of service management. Her new skills enabled her to streamline support processes and enhance service delivery.
Discussion Points:
• How did Maria’s personal development lead to better adherence to industry standards?
• What specific steps did Maria take to achieve her goals?
Case Study 2:
Scenario: A tech support team adopted ISO/IEC 27001 standards to enhance their information security management. They attended training sessions and implemented new security protocols, resulting in improved data protection and compliance.
Discussion Points:
• How did the team’s commitment to professional development improve their adherence to industry standards?
• What benefits did the team experience from their professional development efforts?
Example:
Google’s Adherence to GDPR:
Google implemented GDPR compliance measures to protect user data and ensure privacy. This adherence to industry standards has improved their data handling practices and increased user trust.
Discussion Points:
• How does Google’s adherence to GDPR demonstrate the importance of industry standards?
• What impact can compliance with industry standards have on a company’s reputation and operations?
Additional Resources
Online Learning Platforms:
• Coursera
• Udemy
• LinkedIn Learning
Industry Blogs and Websites:
• TechCrunch
• Wired
• Digital Trends
Professional Development Opportunities:
• Cisco Networking Academy
• AWS Training and Certification
• IBM Training Programs
• ITIL Certification
• ISO/IEC 27001 Certification
• GDPR Training
Last Updated
2024-09-04 15:24:51
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