COIT20249 Portfolio 1: Lifelong Learning for ICT Professional Skills

This portfolio assignment for COIT20249 delves into the concept of lifelong learning and its crucial role in the ever-evolving field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The assignment includes a discussion on the importance of lifelong learning for ICT professionals, emphasizing the need to stay updated with new technologies and skills. It also outlines a personal plan for becoming an effective lifelong learner, incorporating strategies like dedicating time for skill development, reflecting on learning experiences, attending workshops, and reading professional literature. The reflection section covers the process of completing the task, the learning experience, and how this experience will contribute to future professional growth. The assignment concludes with a list of references used for research.

COIT20249 PROFESSIONAL SKILLS IN INFORMATION
COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
1

Portfolio 1
1. To succeed in an ever-changing ICT profession, it is very important to become a lifelong
learner. Do some background research, evaluate the information and write about your
understanding of being a lifelong learner and why it is important for ICT professional
(write with an example).
Lifelong learning is the voluntary, self-motivated and ongoing pursuit of knowledge for
professional or personal reasons. There are various areas and field where lifelong learning is
required. New methods, procedures, techniques, and policies are creating constantly for making
things better in this world. Having knowledge about these things is essential for implementing
them. Lifelong learners always keep themselves up to date with the knowledge of their field,
especially so that they do not lack somewhere (Dudko, 2016).
It is very important for ICT professional to become the lifelong learners as in the present world
with the passage of time it can be seen that new and innovative technologies keep on introducing
from time to time and having knowledge about these technologies is must for the ICT
professionals then only they can survive in this competitive world. ICT Professionals should
have digital skills which are important for using the systems and software designing,
configuration, and development. They must possess creativity and critical thinking. They have to
keep themselves updated to the day today changing innovative information and communication
technologies.
2

2. Analyze the information you gathered in step 1, do some further research, evaluate the
information and write in your own words how you can become an effective lifelong learner
(include your plan for that).
After analyzing the importance of lifelong learning being an ICT professional I will also make
efforts in becoming an effective lifelong learner. For this, I will set aside a minimum of half an
hour for building knowledge and skills in the area of information and communication technology
that I need to acquire. After this, I will do the deep reflection of what I have learned which is
considered as an important aspect of learning. I will check out workshops and webinars in
between conferences that are offered by higher education associations such as ACPA and
NASPA, will gain knowledge from the environment and will develop the learned behavior in me.
I will read ICT professional books and journals by which I will gain skills and knowledge which
will help me in my academics education. I will regularly visit the library and read the newspaper
and high ICT professional's articles, books which will enhance my knowledge and learning
towards information and communication (Horrigan, 2016).
3

3. Write your reflection on this task. Your reflection should include the followings:
a) Briefly describe how you did the task (about the process).
I performed this task by firstly understanding the deep meaning of lifelong learners and then
conduct research by going through different internet sites and journal articles and get the
knowledge of ICT professionals and the importance of lifelong learning is an ICT professional. I
even take guidance from my teacher and seniors regarding this task so that I can perform it
effectively and can score well in this (Bacon, & MacKinnon, 2017).
b) Evaluate and write a brief description of your experience of doing this task. Was this
task easy or hard? Justify your answer briefly (your justification may include if your past
knowledge helped you doing this task or if it was a totally new experience for you).
I had good experience in doing this task as I get to know the importance of lifelong learners and
while researching for the same I have developed a lifelong learning plan for enhancing my
learnings so that I can become a successful ICT professional. The knowledge which I gained in
my academics has helped me a lot in completing this task.
c) Analyze critically what have you learned from this task? If you think you did not learn
anything then give a reason why you think so?
This task enhance my knowledge about how important it is for information and communication
professionals to be updated regarding the new and innovative technologies introducing from time
to time and for being a successful and effective professional in this competitive world I need to
develop lifelong learning as a part of my life (Ziemke, & Ross, 2014).
d) How this experience will help you in the future? If you think that this experience will not
help you in the future, then provide your reasoning for that as well.
The experience which I have gained while performing this task is very fruitful as this will help
me in performing my other academics projects and will also guide in my future career.
4

References
 Bacon, L., & MacKinnon, L. (2017). Lifelong digital skills development, current picture,
and future challenges. June 2016 (minor updates July 2017).
 Dudko, S. A. (2016). The role of information technologies in lifelong learning
development. In SHS Web of Conferences(Vol. 29, p. 01019). EDP Sciences.
 Horrigan, J. B. (2016). Lifelong learning and technology. Pew Research Center, 22.
 Ziemke, L., & Ross, D. B. (2014). A professional growth plan for lifelong
learners. Principal Matters: Journal for Secondary School Leaders in Australia, 100, 34.
5