2.4: Digital Practices in the Workplace
Upon successful completion of this subunit you will be able to:
- Describe how like-minded professionals in your field of interest network online.
- Discuss how technology has changed business practices in your field of interest or career.
- List contemporary examples of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
- Review the potential impact of automation in your field of interest or career; and
- List the implications for learning and skills development in your future career precipitated by changes in digital technology.
In this short video signpost, Ken Steele from Eduvation speculates about the future of the labour market and the value of higher education in a digital age.
In short, digital citizenship is about being a person on the web. In the previous learning pathway on online identity, we noted that individuals portray different personas online, for example personal, academic and professional.
On the one hand, we need to be careful about what we post online because this can have a negative impact on future career prospects or current employment. We must also be cognisant of the different limitations that different careers place on what can be shared publicly and what needs to stay private. On the other hand, building a strong learning or professional network online is very powerful in staying up to date with new trends and establishing connections with your peers.
In this section, we reflect on the balance between public and private in a digital world, recognising that this is going to be different for each person depending on their own environments and professional circumstances. We will also explore how like-minded professionals in your field of interest network online.
Mini challenge summary
Summary: Exploring professional online identity and networking in the field of your choice 
1 hour Throughout history, there are technologies which have influenced change in society. Consider for example, the invention of the steam engine and its contribution to the Industrial Revolution. In more recent times, the advent of digital photography displaced Kodachrome (at one time, the market leader in colour film sales) which ceased production in 2009.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is predicted to have a significant impact on society and business. Examples include, autonomous cars, computers understanding human speech and machine learning. Consider for instance, that computer chess games available for commercial desktop machines have the ability to beat accomplished chess players including grand masters.
In this section we introduce a few interesting examples of artificial intelligence to provide a sense of how sophisticated these technologies are becoming.
In this section we consider the impact of automation on the future job market and the implications for education and training.
- Will robots replace humans?
- What jobs are most at risk of being replaced by robots?
- What are the implications for learning in a digital age?
Challenge summary
Summary: Preparing for the future in an automated world. 1 hour
