VERIFIER – ABOUT THE APPLICATION
We invite you to use the verifier of digital competencies of cluster coordinators. This application was developed within the framework of the project “Digital competencies of cluster coordinators” carried out by the Future Industry Platform Foundation in cooperation with the Austrian organization Verein Industrie 4.0 Österreich – die Plattform für intelligente Produktion. The project has been funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ program.
WHY A DIGITAL COMPETENCE VERIFIER?
One of the most important aspects currently being highlighted in the public debate on the future and development is the need to prepare the workforce for the digital economy, especially through practical training and lifelong learning (LLL).
This application allows to verify the user’s current state of knowledge in the selected area (programming, Big Data/Data Science, visualization) and to set an individual development path to acquire a higher level of knowledge/skill. The verifier does not provide comprehensive instructions on how to create advanced solutions and implement complex processes. In order to gain such knowledge, you should consult additional materials, from external sources, which are collected in the “Additional materials” section.
RECIPIENTS OF THE VERIFIER
Who is the verifier designed for?
The main audience for the verifier is employees of cluster coordinators’ offices who do not have a background in digital technologies.
At the basic stage, the employee will gain knowledge of the most important concepts in the field. Their knowledge will allow him to: better cooperate with experts by understanding the elementary terms of the professional language, and more accurately communicate his needs and ideas.
At the intermediate stage, the employee will deepen his or her knowledge enough to be able to participate in activities related to the preparation of projects for implementation and subsequent implementation.
At the advanced stage, the employee will gain knowledge related to specialized terms and issues related to development, ethics and legal solutions related to the area.
For the purposes of implementing public policies, the term digital competence is defined as the composition of knowledge, skills and attitudes that enable people to live, learn and work in a digital society, that is, a society that uses digital technologies both at work and in everyday life.
Since the activities of clusters are an important element in the development of the Polish economy, raising the digital competence of their employees is particularly important. The use of the Verifier by employees of cluster coordinators’ offices is expected to bring tangible benefits in the form of gaining knowledge and skills, the use of which in the work of the cluster will improve the quality of customer service, increase productivity and competitiveness of cluster value chains.
WHO ELSE CAN USE THE VERIFIER?
Although the application was created for employees of cluster coordinators’ offices, it can be used by anyone interested in gaining new digital competencies and knowledge about technology – the list of key concepts and sample self-study materials can be useful to anyone. To use the verifier, it is not necessary to have technical competence or a degree in a field – curiosity and willingness to learn is enough.
Passing the development path allows you to earn a certificate confirming your level of knowledge. In order to do this, you need to pass a test to prove it.
KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION PROCESS
The development path presented in the Verifier adopts a four-stage breakdown of the knowledge acquisition process:
- Familiarize yourself with basic concepts – create a resource of concepts and terms, the knowledge of which will enable you to understand more complex content.
- Creating a conceptual grid – organizing the information, knowledge and skills acquired so far.
- Deepening of knowledge – acquiring information on more complex concepts and theories in a given area and becoming familiar with more elaborate definitions of previously learned terms and concepts.
- Practical use – the opportunity for practical, independent use of knowledge and skills.
At the basic level, the best way to acquire knowledge is self-study based on recommended sources or an e-learning course (see the “Additional Resources” screen). At this stage, participation in full-time courses, full-time, part-time or postgraduate studies is not necessary.
At the intermediate level, you can also deepen your knowledge on your own. Internet resources are very rich and varied, so you can find materials suitable for your set goals and needs.
At an advanced level, it may be necessary to undertake a dedicated learning program, such as a full-time course or postgraduate study. However, it is also possible to deepen your knowledge on your own – going through earlier development paths. As a result, completing the advanced level should allow you to gain enough knowledge and skills such that you can manage the further development of your digital competence on your own.