Digital Competency Framework
Image source: Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (2019), Digital Competency Framework , page 12 .
The Digital Competency Framework (DCF) was created by the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur in 2019, as part of the Digital Action Plan for Education and Higher Education. The aim of this framework is to develop digital competency, which is defined as a set of skills necessary to the confident, critical, and creative use of digital technologies to achieve objectives with regard to learning.
Digital citizenship and competency play a role in all content areas; the DCF is relevant to all teachers and all subject areas. This is reflected in competency 12 of the Reference Framework for Professional Competencies: Mobilize Digital Technologies.
Learn more using this interactive wheel.
This interactive slide deck allows you to navigate parts of the Digital Competency, and explore the 12 elements with examples for each.
Digital Competency- Intro for Teachers
Digital Competency- Intro for Students (but relevant for all)
The DCF is supported by several additional documents, including the Digital Competency Development Continuum and Pedagogical Guide which provides example themes for each dimension.
Our Resources:
12 questions to prompt
Digital Competency dialogue
Connecting Digital Competencies to
Cross-Curricular Competencies
Printable Handout for DCF resources
Sample Graphic Organizer
Reflecting on my Digital Competency
Sample LES for ERC incorporating the DCF
Poverty and World Hunger
Exercising Ethical Citizenship in the Digital Age
Elements:
* Behaving ethically, taking into consideration the social, cultural and philosophical diversity of digital society as well as the social, economic, environmental and professional contexts in which interactions may take place
* Being aware of the impact of the use of digital technology on one’s physical and psychological well-being
* Understanding the issues around the commodification of personal information, the influence of digital advertising, and the perceived reliability of websites
* Reflecting on the ethical implications of laws and regulations governing digital technology, including those pertaining to copyright
Explore resources related to this dimension.
Source: Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (2019), Digital Competency Framework, page 13.
Developing and Mobilizing Technological Skills
Elements:
* Developing a general understanding of artificial intelligence and its impact on education, society, culture, and politics. Developing greater awareness of emerging issues concerning digital technology and its impact on education
* Learning to use new technologies to keep one’s digital skills up to date
* Developing computational thinking, particularly through the improvement of one’s programming skills and enhancement of one’s understanding of computer programming
* Securing personal data with the appropriate resources, taking into account the risks associated with the use of digital technology
* Mobilizing the technological skills required to use different software, digital platforms, and applications in educational activities and everyday life
* Exploring how everyday devices function on a mechanical, electronic and computer level. Implementing an appropriate solution or seeking help to solve a technological problem
Explore resources related to this dimension.
Source: Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (2019), Digital Competency Framework, page 14.
Harnessing the Potential of Digital Resources for Learning
Elements:
* Using digital technology to develop or co-develop subject specific, teaching and techno pedagogical competencies
* Selecting and properly using digital tools and resources to help one learn, including to conduct self-assessment
* Using the opportunities digital technology provides to whet one’s curiosity and expand one’s horizons, as well as to learn or help others learn
Explore resources related to this dimension.
Source: Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (2019), Digital Competency Framework, page 15.
Developing and Mobilizing Information Literacy
Elements:
* Selecting and using information appropriately, mindful of information overload and filter bubbles
* Recognizing situations in which further information is required, and taking appropriate action by planning and implementing an effective and meticulous research strategy
* Mobilizing all available resources, including content experts and information specialists
* Assessing traditional and digital information, including information published by friends and family and on social media, using stringent criteria and good judgment to determine the credibility and reliability of sources and content
* Assessing and making any necessary adjustments to one’s research results, and organizing the resulting content for analysis
* Adopting a reflective attitude toward information and its uses, cognizant of the context in which it has been produced and acquired as well as of the purposes for which it is being employed
Explore resources related to this dimension.
Source: Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (2019), Digital Competency Framework, page 16.
Collaborating via Digital Technology
Elements:
* Seizing opportunities for collaboration and even co creation by taking full advantage of media or digital environments
* Selecting and using appropriate digital collaboration tools based on needs and context
* Developing interpersonal skills in order to interact respectfully and effectively with others, mindful of one’s role in a group
* Offering to use one’s skills to serve the community
* Using a variety of digital collaboration tools and performing different tasks to make it possible for the members of a group to co create
Explore resources related to this dimension.
Source: Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (2019), Digital Competency Framework, page 17.
Communicating via Digital Technology
Elements:
*Communicating appropriately with others, adapting messages to a given context and taking into account the rules and conventions governing digital communication
* Selecting and using appropriate digital communication tools based on one’s needs
* Mobilizing a range of digital communication strategies and tools and using them in educational, professional and everyday activities
* Recognizing and defining guidelines essential to safeguarding the confidentiality of one’s own communications and the communications of others
Explore resources related to this dimension.
Source: Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (2019), Digital Competency Framework, page 18.
Producing Content via Digital Technology
Elements:
* Producing or co-producing a variety of content (digital or otherwise) using digital technologies in the context of educational, professional or everyday activities
* Selecting and using appropriate digital production tools based on one’s needs
* Using different media such as text, sound or images to exploit digital data
* Consulting and using content available in one’s immediate environment or online to inspire or shape products, while behaving ethically toward other content producers and respecting their legal rights
Explore resources related to this dimension.
Source: Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (2019), Digital Competency Framework, page 19.
Using Digital Tools to Foster Inclusion and Address Diverse Needs
Elements:
* Mobilizing digital strategies and tools to address diverse needs and overcome barriers
* Selecting and using digital tools following an adapted analysis of one’s needs
* Analyzing each tool’s features in light of one’s needs and of cultural, physical, technical or economic accessibility constraints in order to identify the tool’s benefits and limitations
Explore resources related to this dimension.
Source: Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (2019), Digital Competency Framework, page 20.
Mobilizing Digital Technology for Personal and Professional Empowerment
Elements:
* Using digital technology to acquire, maintain and develop competencies for use in one’s current or future professional life
* Developing entrepreneurial competencies and autonomy via digital technology
* Employing digital technology to help one integrate into the workforce, especially by promoting one’s skills to future employers
* Consulting appropriate digital content and professional networks to keep up to date on new developments in current or future professional fields and meet one’s continuing-education needs
Explore resources related to this dimension.
Source: Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (2019), Digital Competency Framework, page 21.
Solving Diverse Problems via Digital Technology
Elements:
* Analyzing a situation to obtain an accurate, thorough understanding of a problem, and developing and implementing a satisfactory solution
* Asking for or offering assistance to develop a collaborative solution, particularly in the context of digital communities
* Mobilizing a variety of resources and solving a problem creatively
* Evaluating and adjusting one’s approach throughout the process
Explore resources related to this dimension.
Source: Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (2019), Digital Competency Framework, page 22.
Developing Critical Thinking with Regard to the Use of Digital Technology
Elements:
* Employing critical thinking to assess digital content before using it
* Deliberately developing one’s critical judgment regarding digital technology, based on rigorous analytical criteria through the use and comparison of digital resources
* Making a thoughtful and honest assessment of one’s own use of digital technology
* Developing one’s awareness of issues concerning the media, scientific advances, technological developments and the use of technology in order to be able to adopt a clear position, particularly with regard to the benefits and limitations of digital technology
Explore resources related to this dimension.
Source: Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (2019), Digital Competency Framework, page 23.
Adopting an Innovative and Creative Approach to the Use of Digital Technology
Elements:
* Developing the ability to make innovative use of digital technology for creative projects in an artistic, personal or professional context
* Using or developing innovative approaches to improve or create objects, projects or processes
* Taking advantage of technological opportunities to develop and express one’s creativity and nurture that of others
* Demonstrating receptivity to innovation by others
Explore resources related to this dimension.
Source: Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (2019), Digital Competency Framework, page 24.
