6.3 Using tools interactively

"Using tools interactively", the third category of key competencies, responds, in particular, to the social and professional demands of the global economy and the "information society", which require mastery of socio-cultural tools such as language, information, and knowledge, as well as physical tools such as computers.

Using tools interactively does not simply mean having the tool and the technical skills required to use a tool. Rather, it assumes a familiarity with the tool itself and an understanding of how the tool changes the way one can interact with the world and how it can be used to accomplish broader goals. The three key competencies identified in this category are the ability to use - interactively — language, symbols, and text; knowledge and information; and technology.

6.4 Key competencies are relevant as constellations

The hypothesis is that for individuals to meet social and economic demands and goals in a successful way, they need to be able to mobilize in a particular context these kinds of competencies.

The notion of constellation has been proposed to represent the interrelated character of key competencies and their contextual specificities. The underlying assumption is that meeting any demand or objective will require constellations of key competencies. These constellations vary with the respective context or situation in which they are applied. The specificities and relative importance attributed to key competencies within a constellation may be influenced, for instance, by cultural norms, technological access, social and power relations and the proficiency level of the individual with respect to the enabling tool set.