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Select and use appropriate tools or technology to accomplish a given听task, and听develop solutions to problems. Examples: software, programming, technical devices, information management and databases, laboratory skills, statistical and qualitative methods/programs, etc.听听

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Jump to section:听Understanding Tools & Technology听| Cultivating the Ability to Use Tools & Technology | Quick Guide to the Mastery of Tools & Technology听|听Taking Action | Resources | References

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Understanding听Tools & Technology听

Identifying and mastering relevant tools and technologies, as well as adapting to emerging ones, will help you to achieve goals and solve problems effectively. Examples of tools and technologies include software applications, programming, technical devices, information management and databases, laboratory skills, and statistical and qualitative methods and programs.听听

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Why does it matter?

In addition to its global impact, digital technology has become essential for achieving professional and personal goals.听^[]听Keeping track of your budget, searching online libraries, or even meeting your life partner have never been easier. The remarkable innovations in the past fifty years have made expertise with specific tools and technologies a requirement for students or employees who need to access information and data (e.g., digital databases, e-books) and accomplish tasks efficiently (e.g., statistical analysis software, online learning).听^[]听

In a research context, the use of appropriate tools and technologies accommodates large-scale studies, while guiding users towards answers and solutions with efficiency and consistency, in a time and cost-effective manner.听^[]听At an individual level, incorporating technologies in education and research has been shown to improve students鈥� self-directed learning (e.g., wikis) and time management abilities, and to equip them with life-long skills (e.g., web navigation, numerical literacy).听^[]听Communication of information is an area that has witnessed a significant progress in recent years. In fact, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) literacy governs our current methods to 鈥渞esearch, organize, evaluate, and communicate information.鈥澨�^[]听

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Cultivating the Ability to Use Tools & Technology

Developing the understanding of novel tools and technologies is considered an important element of procedural knowledge (defined as 鈥渢he knowledge of the steps required to attain various goals.鈥澨�^[]听In a North American survey of job-related skills, employers identified statistics and computational skills, cognitive computing, and knowledge of information systems as 鈥渟kills deficiencies鈥� in newly hired graduates.听^[]听Consider learning a new technique or training to use a new device as part of incorporating innovative tools and technologies into your research design during your educational experience. While some tools can be self-taught (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite), others are more specialized and may require more formal training through workshops and/or courses, in order to attain higher levels of proficiency (e.g. programming languages such as Java and C++).听

We live in the age of big data, where research and development are governed by gathering and analyzing extensive amounts of information to draw life-changing conclusions whether in business, health, politics, education, or innovation.听^[]听Therefore, cultivating data management skills is vital during and following graduate school, regardless of your field.听听

Proper data management entails the collection of information, a planned generation of data, and the organization, archiving, and publication of the conclusions. For instance, research data management practices have many advantages such as securing data storage and promoting research collaborations by facilitating data sharing.听^[9]听听

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Quick Guide to听the Mastery of Tools & Technology听

1. Quick Guide to听the Mastery of Tools & Technology听

2. Master basic computer applications (e.g., word processing, data storage and management) in managing tasks and problems in school and beyond听^[]听

3. Learn about听about听managing data and use appropriate tools and technologies to set and execute a data management plan (DMP)听^[11]听

4. Demonstrate open-mindedness and adaptability to new and emerging technologies听^[]听

5. Identify specific tools and technologies that will help you to achieve your immediate and future goals (e.g., download a calorie-count app on your smartphone if your goal is to lose weight; Learn how to听use听 WordPress听if you want to create your own blog)听

6. Use technology consciously and ethically (e.g., avoid plagiarism)听^[]听听

7. Maintain a balanced approach to the use of tools and technologies:听^[]听听

8. While technology virtually connects you to the world, you may risk personal isolation (e.g., overuse of social media and texting instead of a get-together; communicating via lengthy emails instead of an in-person meeting. No, skyping does not count).听

9. Beware of technology dependency and unhealthy habits; Can you 鈥渁rrive at your destination鈥� without your trusty GPS? Are you suffering from insomnia? It may be due to all the screens occupying your life day and night.听听听听

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Taking Action

Professional Development & Training听

At 麻豆AV:

• Courses - 麻豆AV School of Continuing Studies 鈥� Information Technology Courses: A variety of course selections to learn skills to design and manage information systems.
• Courses - 麻豆AV School of Continuing Studies 鈥� Data Science Courses: A variety of course selections to learn skills required to manage, manipulate, analyze and extract value from data.
• Courses 鈥� Data Science at 麻豆AV 鈥� Programs & Courses: This site lists courses and professional programs offered at 麻豆AV.
• Workshops -
• Online Tutorial -
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External Organizations:

• Courses 鈥� An intensive program offering hands-on approach to learn computer programming in Montreal area.
• Courses 鈥� : This Montreal-based organization offers several
• Courses 鈥� : A series of free online courses from Microsoft, from how to effectively use the MS Office suite to computer programing and data warehousing.
• Courses 鈥� For more technology courses such as computer science or data & statistics, consider taking self-paced online courses (from web development to IOS fundamentals) at: edX, Coursera, udacity, codecademy.
• 鈥� TechBeacon
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Gaining Experience:

• Apply for a 麻豆AV Digital Humanities Research Assistantship to gain experience in digital skills
• Learn to code by building apps for non-profit organizations:
• Discover and collaborate with others on a .
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Resources

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References