Jump to content

International Computer Driving Licence

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by ClueBot NG (talk | contribs) at 13:27, 7 April 2016 (Reverting possible vandalism by 95.44.9.5 to version by 85.27.49.14. Report False Positive? Thanks, ClueBot NG. (2612968) (Bot)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

ECDL Programme Logo

The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL), also known as International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) in non European countries, is a computer literacy certification programme provided by ECDL Foundation[1] a not-for-profit organisation.

ECDL / ICDL certification is a globally recognised information and communication technology (ICT) and digital literacy qualification.[2] Other than the name, there is no difference between ECDL and ICDL and they are recognised as equivalent.[3] According to ECDL Foundation, over 14 million people in over 100 countries had registered as candidates for ECDL.[4]

In 1995, the ECDL certification programme was developed through a task force of the Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS) and was recommended by the European Commission High Level Group, ESDIS, to be a Europe-wide certification scheme.[5] In the UK, it is used by the National Health Service as the benchmark IT qualification and as such it is available without charge to all staff.[6]

Testing

In order to take the tests, a candidate buys an ECDL Skills Card, which usually is issued electronically and serves as a login to the testing platform. To prepare for a module test, the candidate may use ECDL diagnostic tests.[7] Testing is done using software which simulates the Windows/Microsoft Office environment. The candidate's mouse movements and keystrokes are monitored and the result of the test is reported immediately after the test is completed.[2]

New ECDL / ICDL

Since 2013, the syllabus has been divided into 18 modules on three levels:

  • Base Modules
  • Standard Modules
    • Presentation
    • Using Databases
    • IT Security
    • Online Collaboration
    • Image Editing
    • Web Editing
    • Project Planning
    • 2D Computer Aided Design
    • Health Information Systems Usage
    • ICT in Education
  • Advanced Modules
    • Advanced Word Processing
    • Advanced Spreadsheets
    • Advanced Database
    • Advanced Presentation

Original ECDL / ICDL

Until 2013 the ECDL/ICDL syllabus was divided into seven modules.[2][8] These are:

Additionally, there was an Advanced version that was divided into four modules. These are:

  • Advanced Word Processing
  • Advanced Spread sheets
  • Advanced Presentation
  • Advanced Database

Many training centres used Microsoft software (the applications used are shown in parenthesis) but other software environments could be used, such as Apache OpenOffice/LibreOffice.

References

  1. ^ "ECDL Foundation". Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  2. ^ a b c "European Computer Driving Licence". UCL Information Services Division. University College London. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
  3. ^ Poulter, A.; McMenemy, D. (1 January 2004). "Beyond the European Computer Driving Licence: basic and advanced ICT skills for the new library professional". IFLA Journal. 30 (1): 37–46. doi:10.1177/034003520403000107. CiteSeerx10.1.1.140.9351.
  4. ^ "About Us - ECDL Foundation". News archive. ECDL Foundation. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  5. ^ "eEuropeTargets 2001/2002". European Commission. 2 July 2007. Archived from the original on 28 June 2008. Retrieved 2007-10-12. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 27 June 2008 suggested (help)
  6. ^ Townley, S. A. (November 2004). "European Computer Driving Licence". Anaesthesia. 59 (11): 1145–1145. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2044.2004.03989.x. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
  7. ^ ECDL site with all diagnostic tests
  8. ^ "ECDL/ICDL Syllabus version 5.0" (PDF). ECDL Foundation. Retrieved 29 November 2013.