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LEARNER GUIDE
WORK EFFECTIVELY IN AN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
ENVIRONMENT
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*** 2004***
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Introduction................................................................................................................................... 1
Welcome ......................................................................................................................................1
This Competency Unit ....................................................................................................................1
Before you start............................................................................................................................2
Planning your learning programme .............................................................................................2
Self-Assessment Checklist...........................................................................................................3
How to use this Learner Guide ....................................................................................................4
Using the Computer and Other Resources...................................................................................6
Method of Assessment.................................................................................................................6
Quality Assurance........................................................................................................................6
Self-Assessment Checklist.................................................................................................13
Self-Assessment Checklist.................................................................................................18
Self-Assessment Checklist.................................................................................................24
LG-ITICOR0031A
WORK EFFECTIVELY IN AN
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
ENVIRONMENT
INTRODUCTION
Welcome
Welcome to the Learner Guide for Competency Standard “Work Effectively in an Information
Technology Environment”. This learner guide is designed to guide you the learner, through a
series of learning processes and activities that will enable you to achieve the specified learning
outcomes for the competency unit in the Information and Communications Industry.
The content of this guide was developed from the Competency Standard ITICOR0031A, which
is one of the basic building blocks for the National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica (NVQJ)
certification within the industry. Please refer to your Learner’s Handbook for a thorough
explanation of standards and competencies, and how these relate to the NVQJ certification.
You are also advised to consult the Competency Standard for a better understanding of what is
required to master the competency.
Element 2: Promote the organization and the IT department in a manner consistent with the
organizational mission
As you go through each element you will find critical information relating to each one. You are
advised to study them carefully so that you will be able to develop the necessary knowledge,
skills and attitudes for working effectively in an information technology environment.
a. Obtain a Learner’s Logbook that you will use to record evidence of your new
skills/competence. As you demonstrate your new skills, record your activities and have your
learning facilitator sign off on them. This will allow you to provide evidence of your
competence when you are being assessed against the competency standard.
b. Ensure that you have access to the facilities and equipment necessary for learning.
The self-assessment checklist on the following page will assist you in planning your training
programme and it will help you to think about the knowledge and skills needed to demonstrate
competency in this unit. As you go through the checklist you will be able to find out which
elements you have already mastered and which ones you will need to pay more attention to as
you go through the learning process.
To complete the self-assessment checklist simply read the statements and tick the ‘Yes’ or ‘No’
box. You should do this exercise now.
Self-Assessment Checklist
- Work effectively in an information technology
environment
If you ticked most of the ‘Yes’ boxes then you might not need to go through the entire guide.
Ask your learning facilitator to assist you in determining the most appropriate action you should
take.
If you ticked few of the ‘Yes” boxes or none at all then you should work through all of the guide,
even though some of the material might be familiar to you.
Plan your learning based on your answers. Be sure to involve your learning facilitator in the
planning process.
This Learner Guide is designed to assist you in working and learning at your own pace. We
suggest that you:
• Check your progress at each checkpoint to ensure that you have understood the material.
• Observe the icons and special graphics used throughout this guide to remind you of what you
have to do to enhance your learning. The icons and their meanings are as follows:
Definition Box
Words/phrases are defined or explained in this box. The
words/phrases being explained are in bold print.
Checkpoint
This denotes a brain teaser and is used to check your
understanding of the materials presented. No answers are
provided for the questions asked.
Activity
This denotes something for you to do either alone or with the
assistance of your trainer/supervisor.
Reference
Points you to the reference materials and other support
documents or resources used in compiling the unit content.
• Ask your learning facilitator for help if you have any problems with the interpretation of the
contents, the procedures, or the availability or resources.
• Complete each activity as you come to it. If the activity requires you to perform an actual
task, be sure to tell your learning facilitator when you get to that activity so that he/she can
make arrangements, if necessary.
• Get your learning facilitator to sign and date the Learner’s Logbook when you have
completed an activity.
When you have worked through all elements of the guide, and when you can tick every ‘Yes’
box, you are ready for assessment and may ask your learning facilitator to assist you in making
the arrangements to have your performance assessed.
Where your activities refer you to the library, computer and Internet resources, ask your learning
facilitator to assist you with locating these resources. If you are getting your training in an
institution, there may be a library and computer laboratory. If this is not the case, visit the local
library and find out what resources are available.
If you are new to the computer and the Internet, someone should be able to show you how to use
these resources.
Please note that in many of your activities you have been referred to information on the Internet.
This is because the Internet has a vast amount of information that can help you in acquiring the
particular competencies. We would like to advise you, however, that we cannot guarantee that all
the sites will be available when you need them. If this happens, ask your learning facilitator to
assist you with locating other sites that have the information you require.
Method of Assessment
Competency will be assessed while work is being undertaken under direct supervision with
regular checks, but may include some autonomy when working as a team. You are advised to
consult the associated competency standard for further details relating to the assessment
strategies.
Quality Assurance
A feedback form is included at the back of each learner guide, so all users are given the
opportunity to document any concerns which they may have in regard to the any aspect of the
guide. Such feedback will assist in the review of the guide. Users are encouraged to complete
the form and send it to the address given.
You may now start your learning. Have fun while you work!
LEARNING OUTCOMES
As you go through this element you will acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to
comply with general IT policies and procedures. Your learning facilitator is there to assist you
through the various activities, so that on completion you will be able to:
1. Establish and explain clearly, the roles of key players in the IT organization
2. Establish career choices and options
3. Comply with policies and procedures as directed by the supervisor
When you join an IT organization it is very important for you to integrate into that environment
as quickly as possible. One of the ways in which you can accomplish this is to know what the
policies and procedures are and comply with them.
Each organization will have its own policies and procedures, which may be directly related to the
use of technology or designed to cover many aspects of the organization. These policies and
procedures may include:
The extent to which some of these policies and procedures exist in an organization will depend
on organizational variables such as:
Key players are the personnel within an organization that are essential for the functioning of that
section or department. If you work in an organization that has an IT division, or is completely IT
oriented, it is important to identify everyone and his/her (IT) role. They may have job titles such
as:
• IT Manager
• Supervisor
• Systems Administrator
• Developer
• Information Systems Manager
• Systems Analyst
• Data Entry Operator
• Help Desk Staff
• Database Administrator
• Graphic Artist
• Desktop Publisher
• Trainer
• Other colleagues in the department or division
It is also important for you to establish the hierarchy of personnel; i.e. you must know who has
the authority to give instructions to which other staff and who has responsibility for certain areas
of operation. The organization may publish an Organizational Chart which makes this hierarchy
clear.
Key players also exist outside of the organization and these players directly or indirectly affect
how IT is used in your organization. These may include but are not limited to:
CHECKPOINT
Can you identify and briefly explain the roles of key players in a
typical IT organization?
In order to effectively determine your career choice there are some things that you should be
aware of:
The world of IT is very wide and dynamic with new technologies, techniques and careers
emerging everyday. Therefore, it is advisable for you to read widely. The broad fields in
Information Technology can include those listed below:
General IT Categories
• Manufacturing
• Application development
• Software and hardware management
• Support and training
Fields in IT include:
IT Careers
• Database Clerk/Operator/Administrator
• Web Page Designer/Programmer
• Data Entry Clerk/Operator/Supervisor
• Network Manager/Administrator
• Computer Programmer
As you can see from the foregoing, there are both breadth and diversity in IT jobs; however, you
will find that many of them are a combination of several areas.
Only you can determine the path you wish to pursue; however, a good rule of thumb is to select
the path for which you are uniquely suited in terms of your knowledge, skills and aptitude.
Research your chosen path thoroughly before coming to a final decision.
CHECKPOINT
ACTIVITY
Page 7 of this guide introduced you to some of the policies and procedures that are likely to
obtain in an IT environment. However, there are others which may be in existence which you
need to know and comply with. For example many organizations, have a code of practice that
employees are expected to follow, as well as other policies and procedures which outline how the
organization carries out its business.
• The use of capital equipment (only certain employees may be allowed to use certain
equipment) and consumables such as paper, laser toner and disks. Different divisions
of the company may have a budget to cover the cost of consumables, which should be
accounted for.
• A list of steps used to complete an IT activity e.g. setting up a personal computer,
installing a printer, and back up and retrieval procedures.
Other organizational standards include the presentation of documents. You may be required to
use a standard font, size and colour. There may be a bank of templates available on the
organization's intranet, letterhead paper to be used and an organisation-wide Style Guide.
As noted previously, organizational variables will determine which of these policies and
procedures are in force in your office. If your company has an employee handbook it should
stipulate them. As with everything, seek clarification from your supervisor, trainer or mentor.
TIP! You are expected to comply with your organization’s policies and procedures consistently
– not when you feel like it or when someone is watching but at all times and under all
circumstances.
Refer to: Go to the following link for information on a company’s style guide.
http://www.aboutpr.com/subpages/articles/corporate_style_guide.htm
CHECKPOINT
ACTIVITY
Now that you have completed this element, check whether you have fully grasped all the
components by doing the following self-assessment:
Checklist 1 Yes No
1. I understand how to clearly determine and briefly explain the
roles of key players in the information technology organization ( ) ( )
Checklist 2 Yes No
LEARNING OUTCOMES
As you go through this element you will acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to
promote the organization and the IT department in a manner consistent with the organizational
mission. Your learning facilitator is there to assist you with the various activities, so that on
completion you will be able to:
1. Briefly explain the role of the information technology functions within the organization
2. Consistently promote the organization in a positive way
IT can be used for a wide range of functions depending on the sectors within the industry, the
type of organization and the business conducted.
The structure of the IT department may be a separate branch, department, division or an
integrated function of an organization.
• Computer hardware
• Communications hardware
• Packaged software
• Computer services
• Communication services
Each of these sectors uses IT in different ways to achieve different organizational goals. In the
computer services sector, for example, information may be used for:
• Data processing
• Information storage and retrieval
• Computer maintenance
• Computer consultancy
Other IT functions within an organization may include but are not limited to:
Role of IT functions
CHECKPOINT
ACTIVITY
In order to promote the organization in a positive light you will need to know and understand its
mission statement, establish how the organization sees itself and how it wishes to present itself to
its internal and external customers.
A Mission Statement:
The mission statement and organizational plans are often published on the organization’s web
site.
It is a good idea to question yourself to establish if there is a convergence between your personal
vision and the organization’s mission. You will find that when there is no fit between your
values and those of the organization it is it difficult for you to carry out your functions
enthusiastically and effectively. The IT department is not off on a limb by itself; you will find
that its role is to help the organization achieve its mission.
Many organizations promote themselves through corporate advertising. This includes posters,
brochures, listings in phone books, promotion of their mission statement within the organization
and having a presence on the Internet.
As an employee, you promote and represent your organization in many ways. The overall image
of the organization in the public eye can be conveyed by the approach that employees have to
customers, their telephone etiquette, mode of dress, and how business is conducted, including
meetings, presentations and interviews. Promoting the organization to its valued customers must
be done in a manner that is consistent with the organizational policies and procedures. The
organization’s code of conduct (if one exists), will outline the manner in which staff are expected
to conduct themselves. If you are uncertain about what is expected of you, consult your
supervisor, manager or the personnel officer/manager.
When you consistently abide by the organization’s code of conduct and follow its policy
guidelines you help to promote the organization in a positive way. Once again, consistency is the
key. Always carry out your duties and conduct yourself in a professional manner. It speaks
volumes - first about you and then about the organization your represent.
TIP! Never ‘bad mouth’ the organization for which you work. If you are no longer dedicated
to the organization’s goals it is best for you to leave.
CHECKPOINT
ACTIVITY
Now that you have completed this element, check whether you have fully grasped all the
components by doing the following self-assessment:
Checklist 1 Yes No
Checklist 2 Yes No
LEARNING OUTCOMES
As you go through this element you will acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to
identify the information technology equipment/software and operating system supported by the
organization. Your learning facilitator is there to assist you with the various activities, so that on
completion you will be able to:
Equipment
• Personal computer
• Network systems
Network Systems - A
group of two or more
computer systems linked
together.
Local-area networks (LANs) - The computers are geographically close together (that is, in the
same building)
Wide-area networks (WANs) - The computers are relatively far apart and are connected by
telephone lines or radio waves.
Campus-area networks (CANs) - The computers are within a limited geographic area, such as a
campus or military base.
• Attached Peripherals
Peripherals
Devices, such as a CD-ROM drive
printer, mouse, keyboard, printer,
monitor, external Zip drive and scanner,
fax machines that are attached to the
computer and are used either for input
or output.
Specialized equipment
Certain organizations may require specialized computer equipment that you should be aware of
and be able to identify, for instance:
Software
Software is the collective term used to describe computer programs. A program uses a set of
instructions that tells the computer what to do. Software is often divided into two categories:
• Systems software describes the computer programs that control the hardware device and
ensures that they work together effectively and efficiently. It includes the operating system
and all the utilities that enable the computer to function.
• Applications software describes the programs that allow the computer to be used, so that it
can perform a specific function. For example, an accounting application allows the computer
to be used to record accounts receivable and accounts payable transactions. Examples of
applications software include word processing,
Software can also be highly specialized and be specific to certain types of organization such as:
Operating System – is the most important program that runs on the computer. Every general
purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs.
Operating systems perform basic tasks such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending
output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling
peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.
For large systems, such as those found in an IT organization, the operating system has even
greater responsibilities, functioning somewhat like a traffic cop by ensuring that different
programs and users running at the same time do not interfere with each other. The operating
system is also responsible for security, ensuring that unauthorized users do not access the system.
The table below describes two types of operating systems:
NOTE: Although they all look alike, there are some differences between operating systems.
You should be aware of which operating system is running on your computer.
CHECKPOINT
ACTIVITY
Share you findings with the rest of your colleagues as well as your
learning facilitator.
Organizations may have standardized on certain computing solutions, depending on their type of
workflow. There will very likely be a computer network installed across the organization's site or
sites. Therefore there will be a location for Servers that is usually off-limits to anybody except
for IT personnel. As a member of the IT team, it is your responsibility to know not only where
these sites are, but also where each piece of equipment is located. The organization’s fixed asset
register will contain these details.
Your company may have established guidelines and schedules for servicing equipment or it may
simply follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Whichever documentation is available; you
must refer to it and put the necessary procedures in place to make it work. If no guidelines exist,
you may want to take the initiative and develop your own which you should get vetted before
implementing.
CHECKPOINT
ACTIVITY
Now that you have completed this element, check whether you have fully grasped all the
components by doing the following self-assessment:
Checklist 1 Yes No
Checklist 2 Yes No
Your feedback on the Learner Guides is important to us. Please complete the
form below to indicate areas for review as you see necessary. For each
component tick [√ ] the appropriate column.
Other Issues:
Telephone #: E-mail:
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