The assignment, Importance of 21st Century Tools in the Workplace was a very timely lesson reminding us that “technology is a major part or the modern workplace” and being tech-savvy isn’t unique any more; because you cannot survive, much less succeed without a professional understanding and use of digital technology. Digital Literacy isn’t just a few programs or software packages, but it affects all areas of commerce and business. The infographic we were provided was broken into four quadrants. The skills I am learning the most during this course are the ones to Process and Apply the appropriate technology to a circumstance in a professional way. The graphic speaks of appropriate resources and being able to evaluate, assimilate them as we perform tasks and solve problems. I believe the more we follow those guidelines, we can choose the proper tools to utilize when communicating solutions and growth to our co-workers, employees, managers, etc. Since I am an innovator, I struggle with the creativity that is needed in this area. My creativity blossoms when I move to the Think and Adapt quadrant. Managing the load, becoming more skillful with virtual tools and work, work-life blend situations, and adapting my own digital practices that will allow me to help others in the future combines with Create and Connect quadrant. This is more of the area where the rubber meets the road as employees, colleagues, and clients work together and build ideas from each others suggestions, skills, and relationships, and their versatile digital identities.
In my video response to the assignment, I quoted Renee Hobbs, author of Create to Learn concerning how authors and groups can collaborate to capture purpose, target their audience, and target specific goals. She also spoke of deciding if your project is to inform persuade, or entertain, or a combination of each. I believe I function at a higher level when I know the purpose of a project, what I need to convey, and what I am to expect from others, such as progress or a reaction afterwards. Creating digital technology to help and assist others and to market an idea or company is very appealing to me as opposed to creating videos in hopes of inspiring someone to be creative. I also believe there is still plenty of room in this world of technology for written communication as well, especially when questions can be resolved in a concise and well written response.
In regard to how the tools we are learning about can assist us in our career, I believe utilizing appropriate styles and professional images, and understandable charts can be the difference in a job offer or a promotion. Knowing your audience and the technology they are capable of using or are regularly using can greatly assist you in connecting with employees and customers, building strong relationships. Optimizing the technology used by your company or organization can also optimize your employees self confidence and worth and provoke them to strive harder to reach the target customers. In regards to our academic work, digital tools offer a great deal of creativity in learning, emphasis in presentation, and modern and fun ways of advancing new ideas. To quote Renee Hobbs again, “People tend to trust data visualizations from a university or digital think tank more than the news…” In regards to the workplace overall, we desperately need modern 21st century technology to advance our companies, organizations, and educational facilities, because of the enormous advantage of collaboration to bring new and challenged ideas to the table and to update and refine plans in a creative and innovative manner which furthers and advances society. Building client relationships and taking care of workers by creating a work-life blend plan of action will assist in return customers and longevity among employees.
David Warren 