Using Digital Resources (D)

IO2: Digital Competency Framework

This section concerns assembling and evaluating the resources – hardware, software and content – for digital learning. It can be applied at the level of programmes or groups of programmes, resource provision, or specific sessions or interventions. Principles such as searching for and critically evaluating information, using different formats and following copyright/licensing/attribution requirements and conventions are also relevant to supporting learners to use digital media.

D1. Evaluate hardware and software for educational applications.

  • Developing an understanding of the capabilities of the hardware/device or software package

  • Assessing the availability of technical support and back-up in the relevant context

  • Assessing its strengths and weaknesses for supporting the relevant learning application

  • Assessing its suitability for learners in different contexts and with different abilities and accessibility needs

  • Assessing how well the choice of device and software can support the desired design and delivery approach of programmes, sessions or interventions

  • Deciding whether and how to use the device or software package.

D2. Search for and evaluate digital resources and tools.

  • Developing and refining effective strategies to search for and critically evaluate resources and information

  • Assessing relevance to the learning programme, suitability for the level and focus of learning, and accessibility to different learners and in diverse contexts

  • Checking that any copyright, licensing, patent, legal and technical restrictions do not limit the intended use.

D3. Adapt and create digital resources

  • Working within any copyright, licensing, patent, legal and technical restrictions

  • Ensuring that resources are suitable for use with chosen devices and platforms

  • Ensuring that resources are relevant to the learning programme, suitable for the level and focus of learning, and accessible to different learners and in varied contexts

  • Using accessible formats, incorporating alternative forms of presentation (e.g. auditory as well as visual and vice-versa, text instead of images) where relevant and possible

  • Applying rights, permissions, attributions and referencing as relevant.

D4. Collect together, organise and share digital resources.

  • Using relevant and accessible formats, storage media, file structures, indexing and organising systems to store and organise resources

  • Making resources easily accessible to intended users

  • Ensuring equality of access to resources

  • Working with others inside and outside of the organisation to ensure resources are available for all relevant aspects of the programme

  • Maintaining required levels of security, confidentiality, safeguarding and data protection.

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