technology competence levels

Technology Competence Levels

Explanation

These are not definitive levels. We have to start somewhere so I have created these as a basis for discussion. When you are trying to advance in skills it is always helpful to have an idea how the skills can be broken down and then there is a clearer perspective on what you have to do to move forwards. Feel free to add, subtract and rearrange as you see fit.

Level 1

• Not able to comfortably use a computer

• Unfamiliar with computers• Ill at ease with a computer• Fearful of a computer• No knowledge of software• Basic concept of the internet• Cannot easily talk in terms of

computing

These teachers can:

• Use a computer room• Accept work which students have

created on a computer• Can use a whiteboard• Teach well without reliance on

technology• Know how to get help from

others

Level 2

• Beginner• Can turn a computer on and off

and use for simple tasks• Can look things up on the Net• Can send emails• Reasonable mouse or trackpad

skills• Familiar with some software

These teachers can:

• Use a computer room and whiteboard reasonably comfortably

• Make good use of email• Easily pick up plagiarism of Net

content• Can create exercises,

assignments and tests on a computer

• Can use an LMS with support

Level 3

• Can comfortably use a browser and tabs

• Can create documents and simple spreadsheets

• Can email with attachments and images

• Can navigate the internet easily to find what they want

• Can convert traditional approaches to straightforward electronic ones.

These teachers can:

• use slide presentations and videos

• know when students are not using computers properly

• can create documents and spread sheets and use databases

• pick up use of software used on a daily basis

• use digital cameras and imaging tools

Level 4

• Is aware of social media and how to use it positively

• Can create slide presentations and simple videos

• Knowledgeable about different software and its purposes

• Has a varied and comfortable approach to technology

• Uses a computer regularly for a variety of tasks

These teachers can:

• comfortably use Twitter , Facebook and other social media

• use podcasts and audio streaming• create newsletters and flyers• author courses• keep their computer running well• use graphic tools • use calendars and study tools well

Level 5

• Can show others how to do things on a computer

• Can understand the implications of software and social media

• Can think of tools which will promote better use of technology

• Can share ideas on the internet• Can manage technology in a

public situation

These teachers can:

• use tools well in a variety of ways

• create different sorts of technology assignments

• share information readily on the internet

• share files on a network• make good use of utilities• back up files

Level 6

• Very flexible in the use of a computer

• No fear of unfamiliar ground in technology

• Can troubleshoot confidently• Can understand how to use

multiple tools for specific purposes

• Trend setter in technology

These teachers can:

• take risks in trying new things• pioneer new software and

approaches• manage technology difficulties

well• use multiple forms of technology

in class• create blogs, wikis, YouTube

channels, web sites• adapt to new software and

gadgets

Entry level skills for teachers

• Email• Word processing• Using databases• Using LMS (learner management system)• Slide presentations• Simple video making• Internet research• File navigation and manipulation• Image manipulation skills

What else?

• Connecting laptop to whiteboard• Organising courses and work

electronically• Basic skills for maintaining a

computer – installing updates, filing information, rebooting, managing browsers, checking hard drive capacity, safe surfing, keeping computer clean