European Computer Driving Licence

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] In 2013, the ECDL Foundation announced that over 13 million people in over 100 countries had registered to use the system.[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]

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:

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. 1 2 3 "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. CiteSeerX: 10.1.1.140.9351.
  4. "New ECDL Launched". News archive. ECDL Foundation. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
  5. "eEuropeTargets 2001/2002". European Commission. 2 July 2007. Archived from the original on 28 June 2008. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
  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.

External links

Wikiversity has learning materials about European Computer Driving Licence
Wikiversity has learning materials about International Computer Driving Licence
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