european Computer Driving Licence

Next Modules: Wed 4 Feb '09 (Full Start)

Overview

The ECDL is the world’s most popular and widely-recognised computer skills qualification. It conveys to
prospective employers and colleagues alike that you have acquired and mastered the wide range of skills necessary
to harness the potential of your computer and tackle the most up-to-date and demanding tasks in today’s IT-reliant
world. Holders of an ECDL certificate demonstrate independence, initiative and confidence whenever they sit down
in front of a computer. Not only are they competent at all the basics computer skills, they can draw on a wide range
of more specialized skills to get the job done with a minimum of fuss and a maximum of efficiency. ECDL holders
can also tackle new situations and challenges, understand what aspect of their IT skills is best for solving unusual
problems and overcome them with easy professionalism.

Course Prerequisites
Students wishing to undertake the ECDL should have prior computer experience to basic level. This should include:

Fundamental mouse and keyboard skills

The ability to start a computer, type and print a simple letter or note
Faster typing and additional skills are advantageous but not essential

ECDL is not suitable for the new or novice computer user.

Main Study Areas

The European Computer Driving Licence consists of 7 modules:

Module 1: Concepts Of Information Technology

Module 2: Using The Computer And Managing Files
Module 3: Word Processing
Module 4: Spreadsheets
Module 5: Databases
Module 6: Presentations
Module 7: Information And Communication (Internet And Email)

ECDL is studied one module at a time. When all concepts and skills within that module have been covered including
practice skills (3 sessions), the class group is tested using official ECDL materials and regulations.

Duration

60 Hours combined teaching and examinations. The programme is broken into 20 sessions each of 3 hours duration.
The programme can then be delivered in any one of the following formats:
 Single Class: 1 session per week for 20 weeks
Full-Day: 1 day per week for 10 weeks (10am-5pm, 2 sessions each day)
Intensive: All day (10am-5pm Mon-Fri) for 10 consecutive weekdays over a 2
week period

Single classes are run primarily in the evening during Autumn, Winter and Spring. They are typically held in the
evening but we also schedule morning classes at certain times in the training year.
We schedule full-day programmes primarily on-request from companies and organizations wishing to achieve the
ECDL certification for groups.
Intensive classes are run twice during the Summer months at our center. These are ideal for school students,
education professionals or anyone with the time to spare and the determination to achieve the certification in the
shortest possible time.
Students can elect to attend a single programme, from start to finish.
You can also choose our more flexibile Open Road approach, allowing you to control when you attend and pay for
the ECDL parts you want to tackle. See more information on the right-hand link.

Testing

There are 7 tests within the ECDL programme. Each test covers the subjects of the module just delivered. A diary of
test dates and times is drawn up at the outset of each scheduled ECDL course at Kinetic Computer Solutions. Please
refer to our current course schedule to request the test diary for any specific course. Each test is 45 minutes in
duration and conducted under official ECDL testing rules and regulations. All tests (except Module 1) involve
completion of practical tasks on the computer from a list of written instructions.

Certification

The European Computer Driving Licence is awarded to a student on successful completion of all 7 modules.

Cost

€495 per student. This covers:

€40 ECDL Skills Cards

Classroom training for all 7 modules
Instruction manuals, practice disks and papers
Testing and marking of all 7 module exams
Includes 1 free retest and marking

Other Information

Students registered for ECDL have 3 years in which to attempt and pass the 7 ECDL module exams. Within this
period, students can retake any exam in which they have been unsuccessful – retaken exams or exams outside the
scheduled exam diary may be subject to additional fees by Kinetic Computer Solutions.
€25 is charged for one-off exams per student.
Walk-in students undertaking self-study and in possession of their own ECDL Skills Cards can request to only take
exams for the same €25 fee.
We also sell and administer ECDL Skills Cards to students wishing to undertake self-study. They cost €40 per
student.
 ECDL Breakdown
The following is a summary of the skills covered by each of the ECDL modules. Please go to the ECDL
Ireland site to see the full list of skills and disciplines covered by this programme.
Module 1: Concepts Of Information Technology
1 Computer hardware, components, performance, devices and systems
2 Computer software and its uses
3 Networks, The Internet and connecting computers
4 Computers in our lives – home, work, online activity
5 Health and safety when using computers
6 Computer security, viruses, emails and internet threats
7 Software copyright, Internet downloads and legal considerations
Module 2: Using The Computer And Managing Files
1 Starting, stopping the computer, changing basic settings
2 Work with Windows Desktop
3 Managing multiple windows
4 Viewing and changing storage folders
5 Find, access, copy, move, delete data files
6 Use virus protection on files
7 Use available printers effectively

Module 3: Word Processing

1 Create and save new documents
2 Access existing documents
3 Manage word processing environment
4 Input text and manage paragraphs and pages
5 Format text using font, size, colour, effects
6 Format paragraphs
7 Bullets and numbering
8 Borders and shading
9 Headers and footers
10 Change page setting and measurements
11 Working with text tables
12 Perform mail merge
13 Work with pictures, charts and other graphics
14 Using spell-checking and proofing tools
15 Check and print documents
Module 4: Spreadsheets
 1 Create and save new spreadsheets
2 Access existing spreadsheets
3 Understand, navigate and manage the spreadsheet environment
4 Use worksheets to distribute data
5 Enter data in cells
6 Emphasise cell contents using borders, shading, font, size, colour, effects
and display formats
7 Use automatic functions to generate total, average, minimum, maximum
and count data
8 Build tailored formulas using add, subtract, divide and multiply tools
9 Use logical functions
10 Sort data
11 Create and maintain charts
12 Prepare data for printing
13 Print data
Module 5: Databases
1 Understand database concepts and terms
2 Design and create database files
3 Change database file design
4 Add, change and remove database records
5 Define relationships between files
6 Create and use database forms
7 Create reports
8 Create and maintain queries
9 Use filters
10 Print data
Module 6: Presentations
1 Understand presentation concepts and terms
2 Create and access presentations
3 Add and remove slides
4 Use slide layout, content and background facilities
5 Use design templates
6 Work with slide master
7 Work with slide text
8 Work with slide pictures
9 Work with slide graphs
10 Organisation charts
11 Draw shapes and symbols
12 Animate slides
 13 Print handouts
14 Deliver presentations
Module 7: Information And Communication
1 Understand Internet concepts
2 Access web pages
3 Use history
4 Bookmark pages
5 Use search engines
6 Print web pages
7 Email messages – read, write, send, receive, print, file and delete
8 Reply and forward
9 Send to many people
10 Save and use email addresses
11 Store, retrieve and manage messages