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] 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.[6]

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.[7]

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.[8] 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
  • Intermediate 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
    • Digital Marketing
  • 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][9] These are:

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

  • Advanced Word Processing
  • Advanced Spreadsheets
  • 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. 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. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.140.9351. doi:10.1177/034003520403000107.
  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 27 June 2008. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
  6. ↑ Leahy, Denise; Dolan, Dudley (September 2010). Tatnall, Arthur, ed. "History of the European Computer Driving License". History of Computing: Learning from the Past. Germany: Springer: 136. ISSN 1868-4238.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ ECDL site with all diagnostic tests
  9. ↑ "ECDL/ICDL Syllabus version 5.0" (PDF). ECDL Foundation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 December 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
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