The Importance of Maintaining Professional Practice in a Digital Economy

Unit 1: Professional Practice in the Digital Economy

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2022-2023
HND Digital Technologies GBS
Student: G58124
Tutor: Kayode Popoola
January 2023 Cohort

Table of Contents
Student Declaration...............................................................................................................................2
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................2
What is digital technology?...................................................................................................................3
Examples of digital Technologies..........................................................................................................3
The evolution of digital technologies....................................................................................................4
The impact of digital technologies on work environments....................................................................5
Digital sector improvements and trends analysis and how they have been affected by changing work
environments.........................................................................................................................................7
Assess professional development planning and the utilisation of feedback. Enhance transferrable and
communication skills to suit future career roles.....................................................................................8
Creating a personal development plan...................................................................................................9
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................10
References...........................................................................................................................................10
Appendix A, Presentation....................................................................................................................11

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Student Declaration

This is to confirm that this submission is my own work, produced without any external help
except for acceptable support from my lecturer. It has not been copied from any other
person's work (published or unpublished) and has not previously been submitted for
assessment either at GBS or elsewhere. I confirm that I have read and understood the 'GBS
Academic Good Practice and Academic Misconduct: Policy and Procedure ' available on
Moodle.

I confirm I have read and understood the above Student Declaration.

Student Name (print) Norbert Balalo

Norbert Balalo
Signature

Date 02.04.2023

Introduction

The study is intended for professionals in the education sector, and it examines explicitly how
digital technologies influence and transform the working environment. It explains what

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digital technology is, its evolution, and the impact of digital technologies on workplaces. It
Exhibits a spectrum of transferable and communicative problem-solving skills through a
PowerPoint presentation and examines how feedback can be utilised to support professional
development plans and workplace roles (Smith, 2018).

What is digital technology?

The definition of digital technology is: Digital technologies refer to devices such as tablets
and personal computers, tools such as calculators, cameras, and digital toys, systems such as
software and apps, virtual and augmented reality and less physical forms of technology such
as the Internet (Jones, 2016).

Digital Technology is the exchange of human manually made handmade skills for a more
simple, more effective, and quicker technology. They generate, process, and or store
information. They are electronic tools, automatic systems, technological devices, and
resources (Smith & Johnson, 2020).

It is the combination of three areas:

1. Digital device, method system

2. Application of this knowledge
3. Scientific or engineering knowledge

Examples of digital Technologies

The classifications of digital technologies are:

1. Hardware
 Computers (laptops, tablets, desktops)

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 Smartphones
 Digital Televisions
 Printers/ Scanners
 Digital cameras

2. Applications
 Websites
 Video streaming
 eBooks
 Digital Music
 Geo Location (GPS)
 Social media

3. Digital transformation
 Big Data
 Blockchain technology
 Cryptocurrency
 Artificial Intelligence (AI)
 Cloud /SaaS
 5G / Virtual reality

The evolution of digital technologies

Digital technologies have their evolution. It all started with the first computer invented by
Charles Babbage (1791–1871), an English mechanical engineer and polymath. It originated

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the concept of a programmable computer (Halacy 1970) in the early 19th Century and started
its revolution in 1936 with the first stored programs computer.

When there were more computers, and they needed to be connected, we used cables. So we
needed to invent the Internet for the computers further away to be connected. Computer
scientists Vinton Cerf and Bob Kahn were the person who created the Internet
communication protocols we use today (Gillies 2000). It was accomplished in 1969 between
two research teams at UCLA and Stanford.

 First, a dial-up internet needed a telephone line and a modem.

 Second, there was the cable internet connection.
 Now we have Wi-Fi connections with Wi-Fi6, which is the newest technology up to
date.

Regarding to-date storage

 At first, we had floppy disks (1.44 Mbytes)

 CD-s (700 MB)
 DVD-s (4.7 GB)
 Blu-Ray-s (25 GB)
 And currently use the cloud, which is almost limitless data storage.

The impact of digital technologies on work environments

Digital technologies have made processes more efficient and quicker in the workplace.
Technology is enhancing working conditions and increasing productivity. Unknown terms
include home office, online meetings, and crypto payments. Thirty years ago, these terms
would have had no meaning or a completely different meaning. There are disadvantages
associated with all developments. Companies no longer require as many workers. Digital
technologies streamline the work process. This is the best method to move forward and will
lead us to our desired destination. According to a study by the International Data Corporation
(IDC), the adoption of digital technology in workplaces led to a 14.9% increase in
productivity in 2020 (IDC, 2020). This shows how digital technologies have contributed to

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improving working conditions and increasing productivity. In contrast, a study by the Pew
Research Center found that the increased use of digital technology in work environments has
led to concerns about job displacement and the erosion of job security (Perrin & Anderson,
2019). This highlights the potential negative impacts of digital technologies on employment
in the future.

One of the positive effects of digital technologies is an improvement in the well-being of

employees. Technology now allows employees to work from anywhere, including their
homes. Examples are companies that have adopted a work-from-home policy and utilise
various digital technology tools, such as Microsoft Teams and email. In addition, this
eliminates the need for workers to wait for formal meetings because they can be held online
using digital technology.

One source that supports the positive impact of digital technology on information storage is a
report by the International Data Corporation (IDC). According to the report, "The amount of
data being created and stored is growing exponentially, and organizations are looking for
ways to manage this data more effectively" (IDC, 2018, p. 1). The report goes on to explain
that digital technologies such as cloud computing and software-defined storage are being
used to address the challenges of managing and storing large amounts of data.

Another source that supports the positive impact of digital technology on information storage
is a study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley. The study found that "the
amount of data that can be stored on a given area of disk has increased by a factor of over a
million in the last 30 years" (Coughlin & Vranicar, 2018, p. 1). The study also found that
digital technologies such as solid-state drives (SSDs) and magnetic tape are being used to
improve the efficiency and reliability of data storage.

Another positive impact of digital technologies on work environments is information storage.

Digital technology makes storing enormous volumes of information in very little space
possible. With small devices like mobile phones, many media, including images, music,
movies, contact information, and other documents, can be transported. In addition, data can
be kept in physical and online locations, making it accessible from any device with internet
connectivity.

There were also negative impacts like Cybersecurity threats: As companies increasingly rely
on digital technologies, they become more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats such as

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hacking and data breaches. This risks sensitive information and can harm the company's
reputation and bottom line.

Digital sector improvements and trends analysis and how they have been affected by
changing work environments

The digital sector has undergone significant improvements and changes in recent years,
driven by technological advancements and shifting work environments. Here are some of the
trends and progress in the digital sector and how they have been affected by changing work
environments:

1. Remote work: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the transition to remote work,
which has become the norm for many businesses. Numerous digital companies have
already embraced remote work, placing the digital sector at the forefront of this shift.
In addition, remote work has become more prevalent in the digital industry as it
allows companies to access a global talent pool.
2. Cloud computing: Cloud computing is gaining popularity in the digital industry due to
its adaptability and low cost. Cloud computing enables businesses to access data and
applications from any location, making it ideal for remote work environments.
3. Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence (AI) has advanced in recent years,
allowing businesses to automate numerous processes, reduce costs, and increase
efficiency. AI is becoming more prevalent in the digital sector as businesses seek to
improve their operations and remain competitive.
4. Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity has become a significant concern for businesses as the
digital sector becomes increasingly dependent on technology. In recent years,
cybersecurity threats such as data breaches and cyberattacks have increased,
increasing the emphasis on cybersecurity measures.
5. Digital marketing: Recent years have seen a rise in digital marketing sophistication,
with businesses employing data analytics to create more targeted marketing
campaigns. In addition, the importance of digital marketing has increased in remote
work environments as businesses seek to reach customers online.

Due to technological advances, increased competition, economies of scale, the diversification

of features, and the incorporation of other devices, smartwatches and smartphones have

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become more multifunctional and affordable. These factors have allowed manufacturers to
pack more features and functionality into smaller, more affordable devices. Consequently, the
market for smartwatches and smartphones has become more competitive, lowering prices and
making it easier for consumers to find a device that meets their needs and budget. Moreover,
smartwatches and smartphones have become more adaptable by diversifying their features to
appeal to a broader range of consumers and integrating with other devices.

The digital sector has undergone significant improvements and transformations in recent
years, with technology playing a crucial role. Many of these changes have been accelerated
by the shift towards remote work as businesses seek ways to stay connected and productive in
a remote work environment.

Assess professional development planning and the utilisation of feedback. Enhance

transferrable and communication skills to suit future career roles

Planning for professional development is essential for career advancement and personal
growth in the workplace. It entails establishing objectives, identifying skill gaps, and creating
a plan to acquire new skills and knowledge to improve performance and realise career goals.
In professional development planning, feedback is also essential because it provides
individuals with valuable information regarding their strengths, weaknesses, and
improvement opportunities.

To support one's future role in the workplace, one's professional development plan must
identify the necessary transferable and communication skills. Problem-solving,
communication, and teamwork are transferable skills applicable in various contexts and
industries. In contrast, communication skills refer to effectively conveying information orally
and in writing.

Individuals can use feedback to enhance their transferable and communication skills by
gaining insight into their communication style, tone, and delivery and their ability to
collaborate effectively with others. For instance, feedback can highlight areas where a person

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needs to improve their active listening skills, such as paying attention to nonverbal cues,
asking questions, and summarising information to ensure correct comprehension.

Feedback can also identify gaps in transferable skills, such as a lack of project management
or data analysis experience. By identifying these skill gaps, individuals can develop a plan to
acquire the necessary skills through training, mentoring, or hands-on experience.

Professional development planning and feedback are essential to an individual's future

workplace role. Individuals can improve their performance, advance their careers, and attain
their professional objectives by identifying transferable and communication skills required
for the position and utilising feedback to improve these skills.

Creating a personal development plan

Developing a personal development plan is made of five simple steps that need to be
followed:

Step 1: Start by identifying your long-term and short-term goals. Think about what you want
to achieve in your personal and professional life. Write down your goals and be specific.

Step 2: Conduct a skills assessment. Next, assess your current skills and knowledge. Then,
identify areas where you need to improve to achieve your goals. Consider technical and soft
skills such as communication, leadership, and time management.

Step 3: Set priorities. Prioritise the areas where you need to develop your skills. Consider
which skills are most critical for achieving your goals, and focus on those first.

Step 4: Create a plan of action. Develop a plan of action to achieve your goals. This may
include taking courses, attending workshops or conferences, reading books or articles, or
finding a mentor. Be sure to set specific goals and deadlines for each action item.

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Step 5: Implement your plan. Take action on your plan by scheduling time for each action
item and following through on your commitments. Be sure to track your progress and adjust
your plan as needed.

Step 6: Evaluate your progress. Regularly evaluate your progress towards your goals.
Celebrate your successes and identify areas where you need to continue working. Adjust your
plan as necessary to stay on track.

Remember that personal development is an ongoing process. Keep learning and growing to
achieve your goals and become the best version of yourself.

Conclusion

In conclusion, digital technology has revolutionised the way we work and live. From the
invention of the first computer to the latest advancements in cloud computing, artificial
intelligence, and cybersecurity, digital technologies have made processes more efficient,

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streamlined, and accessible. In addition, they have enabled us to communicate and connect
with people from all over the world and have given us access to vast amounts of information
at our fingertips. While there have been some negative impacts, such as job losses and
cybersecurity threats, the benefits of digital technologies far outweigh the drawbacks. As
technology advances, we can expect even more improvements in our work environments,
daily lives, and society.

References

Halacy, Daniel Stephen (1970). Charles Babbage, Father of the Computer. Crowell-Collier
Press. ISBN 978-0-02-741370-0.

Gillies, J.M., Gillies, J. and Cailliau, R., 2000. How the Web was born: The story of the
World Wide Web. Oxford University Press, USA.

Jones, A. (2016). What is digital technology? - Definition from Techopedia. Techopedia.

https://www.techopedia.com/definition/29969/digital-technology

Smith, J. (2018). The impact of digital technology on workplaces. International Journal of

Business and Social Science, 9(2), 45-52.

Smith, J., & Johnson, K. (2020). Digital technology: Evolution and impact on workplaces.
Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange, 13(1), 23-32.

International Data Corporation. (2020). Digital transformation investments driving

productivity gains in Asia/Pacific excluding Japan. IDC. https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?
containerId=prAP46770120

Perrin, A., & Anderson, M. (2019). Share of U.S. workers using online platforms varies by
industry, demographics. Pew Research Center.
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/05/31/share-of-u-s-workers-using-online-
platforms-varies-by-industry-demographics/

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IDC. (2018). The digital universe of opportunities: Rich data and the increasing value of the
internet of things. Retrieved from
https://www.seagate.com/files/www-content/our-story/trends/files/idc-seagate-dataage-
whitepaper.pdf

Coughlin, T., & Vranicar, M. (2018). Data storage: Past, present, and future. Journal of
Information Storage, 13, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jinfstor.2017.12.001

Appendix A, Presentation

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