International Certification of Digital Literacy (ICDL), [1] formerly known as European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL), is a computer literacy certification program provided by ECDL Foundation, [2] a not-for-profit organisation. The ICDL / ECDL certification is a globally recognised information and communication technology (ICT) and digital literacy qualification. [3]
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. [4] The task force compared several national certification schemes and chose the CDL from Finland as the basis for piloting and later adoption into the ECDL. [5]
Though the ICDL does not refer to Microsoft or its Office software suite by name in the official course syllabus, [6] training occurs almost exclusively with Microsoft's products as they are ubiquitous in the business world. Users can also be introduced to Google Applications.
For the Base certificate, there are no pre-requisites regarding computer use.
The ICDL Base certificate comprises all four of these modules:
The ICDL Standard certificate involves the aforementioned Base module, and three of the following modules:
The ICDL Advanced certificate comprises one of the following modules; the ICDL Expert certificate three of the following modules:
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. [9] 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. [3]
The ICDL certificates are seen as valuable in business/government administration – as they save the time to evaluate an applicant's computer skills.
In professions like publishing, graphic and web design, science or information technology, a completed ICDL course is not a desired quality however as the work requires specialist skills and experience with other software. [10]
Free software, libre software, libreware or rarely known as freedom-respecting software is computer software distributed under terms that allow users to run the software for any purpose as well as to study, change, and distribute it and any adapted versions. Free software is a matter of liberty, not price; all users are legally free to do what they want with their copies of a free software regardless of how much is paid to obtain the program. Computer programs are deemed "free" if they give end-users ultimate control over the software and, subsequently, over their devices.
ECDL is an acronym which may refer to:
The British Computer Society (BCS), branded BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, since 2009, is a professional body and a learned society that represents those working in information technology (IT), computing, software engineering and computer science, both in the United Kingdom and internationally. Founded in 1957, BCS has played an important role in educating and nurturing IT professionals, computer scientists, software engineers, computer engineers, upholding the profession, accrediting chartered IT professional status, and creating a global community active in promoting and furthering the field and practice of computing.
A telephone line or telephone circuit is a single-user circuit on a telephone communication system. It is designed to reproduce speech of a quality that is understandable. It is the physical wire or other signaling medium connecting the user's telephone apparatus to the telecommunications network, and usually also implies a single telephone number for billing purposes reserved for that user.
CELTA is an initial teacher training qualification for teaching English as a second or foreign language (ESL and EFL). It is provided by Cambridge Assessment English through authorised Cambridge English Teaching Qualification centres and can be taken either full-time or part-time. CELTA was developed to be suitable both for those interested in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and for Teaching English to the Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The full name of the course was originally the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults and is still referred to in this way by some course providers. However, in 2011 the qualification title was amended on the Ofqual register to the Cambridge English Level 5 Certificate In Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) in order to reflect the wider range of students that teachers might have, including younger learners.
Computer literacy is defined as the knowledge and ability to use computers and related technology efficiently, with skill levels ranging from elementary use to computer programming and advanced problem solving. Computer literacy can also refer to the comfort level someone has with using computer programs and applications. Another valuable component is understanding how computers work and operate. Computer literacy may be distinguished from computer programming, which primarily focuses on the design and coding of computer programs rather than the familiarity and skill in their use. Various countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, have created initiatives to improve national computer literacy rates.
Technological literacy is the ability to use, manage, understand, and assess technology. Technological literacy is related to digital literacy in that when an individual is proficient in using computers and other digital devices to access the Internet, digital literacy gives them the ability to use the Internet to discover, review, evaluate, create, and use information via various digital platforms, such as web browsers, databases, online journals, magazines, newspapers, blogs, and social media sites.
MicroWorlds is a family of computer programs developed by Logo Computer Systems Inc. (LCSI) that uses the Logo programming language and a turtle-shaped object to teach language, mathematics, programming, and robotics concepts in primary and secondary education. The program was part of a larger set of dialects and implementations created by Seymour Papert aimed at triggering the development of abstract ideas by children through experimentation.
The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) is a software testing certification board that operates internationally. Founded in Edinburgh in November 2002, the ISTQB is a non-profit association legally registered in Belgium.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to information technology:
CAP College Foundation, Inc., formerly named Correspondence Accreditation Program for College Foundation, Inc., is a private, non-sectarian distance learning college in the Philippines.
MindLeaders was an e-learning and organizational development company with a global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and offices in the UK, US, South Africa and Australia which has been described by Bersin as a "global e-learning player" along with Skillsoft and Element K. The company had a content library, mainly in the business skills and IT professional area but also for social care, hospitality and more general compliance training in the UK. These courses were typically accessed through one of two learning management system (LMS) platforms owned by the company. Whilst not a widely known brand, MindLeaders content was resold by consumer-facing channel partners including learndirect, Monster.com and Cornerstone OnDemand.
The Cambridge IT Skills Diploma is a certificate that is based on the Microsoft Office software, this certificate assesses a range of the most important IT skills required and is available at two levels: Foundation and Standard.
The European Certification of Informatics Professionals (EUCIP) is a professional certification and competency development scheme, aimed at informatics professionals and practitioners. EUCIP, which originated with the Council of European Professional Informatics Societies, is offered in a range of European countries through national computer societies. The EUCIP certifications are maintained by ECDL Foundation.
The International Requirements Engineering Board (IREB) e.V. was founded in Fürth in Germany in October 2006. IREB e.V. is as a legal entity based in Germany.
The planned BBC Computer Literacy Project 2012, inspired by the original scheme which introduced the BBC Micro in the 1980s, was being developed by BBC Learning to provide a starting place for young people and others to develop marketable skills in computing technology and program coding.
Qualitas Career Academy is a private college in South Africa, with campuses in various provinces. The institution delivers attendance/contact-based tuition in two modalities, namely full-time and part-time. Full-time curriculum is aimed at high school graduates/students acquiring their first qualification. The part-time curriculum centres on skills and knowledge required by those already employed. Training and consultation services are presented to the private and government sector.
The IC3 Digital Literacy certification Digital Literacy certification is a global benchmark for basic computer literacy, including operating systems, hardware, software, and networks. The IC3 certifications test concepts and skills that apply to almost any school or career pathway. IC3 has multiple standards and levels, including:
Linguaskill is an online, multilevel test provided by Cambridge Assessment English. It is used by higher education institutions and employers in order to assess the English language skills of students and employees. The test is modular so institutions and employers can choose the combination of language skills they want to assess.
Trajnimi is a Kosovo-based free online education e-learning platform that offers training for the European Computer Driving Licence.computer literacy certification programme. The platform was created by Kushtrim Xhakli at the IPKO Institute and was launched in 2007.