{{Short description|Computer literacy certification programme by ECDL Foundation}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}} right|200x200px|Logo ICDL '''International Certification of Digital Literacy''' ('''ICDL'''),<ref name="ICDL Foundation">{{cite web|title=ICDL Foundation|url=https://icdl.org|access-date=26 July 2024}}</ref> formerly known as '''European Computer Driving Licence''' ('''ECDL'''), is a digital literacy certification program provided by ICDL Foundation,<ref name="ECDL Foundation">{{cite web|title=ECDL Foundation|url=http://www.ecdl.org/index.jsp?p=93&n=94|access-date=7 August 2012|archive-date=22 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022095102/http://www.ecdl.org/index.jsp?p=93&n=94|url-status=dead}}</ref> a not-for-profit organisation. The ICDL / ECDL certification is a globally recognised information and communication technology (ICT) and digital literacy qualification.<ref name=ucl>{{cite web|title=European Computer Driving Licence|url=http://www.ucl.ac.uk/isd/staff/training/ecdl|work=UCL Information Services Division|publisher=University College London|access-date=29 November 2013|archive-date=12 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212155716/http://www.ucl.ac.uk/isd/staff/training/ecdl/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/eeurope/2002/action_plan/eworking/eu/targets_2001_2002/index_en.htm |title=eEuropeTargets 2001/2002 |publisher=European Commission |date=2 July 2007 |access-date=2007-10-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627232227/http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/eeurope/2002/action_plan/eworking/eu/targets_2001_2002/index_en.htm|archive-date=27 June 2008}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Leahy|first1=Denise|last2=Dolan|first2=Dudley|editor1-last=Tatnall|editor1-first=Arthur|title=History of the European Computer Driving License|journal=History of Computing: Learning from the Past|date=September 2010|page=136|issn=1868-4238}}</ref>
== Contents == Though the ICDL does not refer to Microsoft or its Office software suite by name in the official course syllabus,<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ecdl.ch/fileadmin/ECDL/CH/Dokumente/ECDL-Syllabus-Base-de.pdf|title=ECDL Base Syllabus}}</ref> 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.
=== Levels === The ICDL Base certificate comprises all four of these modules: * basic operation of a computer (with Microsoft Windows or Ubuntu in some editions)<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.icdl.it/documents/100682/167204/OpenSource+-+Computer+Essentials/e52cf702-c5ef-4fdb-b67a-5c184c8f8700 |title = ECDL con software libero |language = it |publication-date = 11 April 2013 |access-date = 20 July 2023 |website = ICDL.it |author = Fabio Frittoli }}</ref><ref name="sample-tests-with-open-source">{{Cite web |url = https://icdl.org/professional/sample-tests/ |title = Sample tests |website = ICDL |access-date = 20 July 2023 }}</ref> * basic operation of the internet * basic use of Microsoft Word or LibreOffice Writer<ref name="sample-tests-with-open-source" /> * basic use of Microsoft Excel or LibreOffice Calc<ref name="sample-tests-with-open-source" />
The ICDL Standard certificate involves the aforementioned Base module, and three of the following modules: * databases (with Microsoft Access or LibreOffice Base)<ref name="sample-tests-with-open-source" /> * creating and using presentations (Microsoft PowerPoint) * collaborating online (mostly Microsoft Teams) * IT security * editing images (with Photoshop or GIMP)<ref name="sample-tests-with-open-source" />
The ICDL Advanced certificate comprises one of the following modules; the ICDL Expert certificate three of the following modules: * advanced use of Microsoft Word * advanced use of Microsoft Excel * advanced use of Microsoft Access * advanced use of Microsoft PowerPoint<ref name="auto" />
== 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.diagnosetest.ch/bestellen/|title=ECDL Diagnosetests online lösen|website=www.diagnosetest.ch}}</ref> 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.<ref name=ucl />
== Value == [[File:ECDL Profile Certificate.png|thumb|'''ECDL Profile''' certification issued in Greece in February 2017.]]
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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.derstandard.at/story/1332323700947/e-skills-computerfuehrerschein-was-bringt-er-wirklich | title=Computerführerschein: Was bringt er wirklich? }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{wikiversity|European Computer Driving Licence}} *[http://www.ecdl.org ECDL Foundation] *[http://www.icdlasia.org/ ICDL Asia] *[http://www.icdlarabia.org/ ICDL Arabia] *[http://www.icdlafrica.org/ ICDL Africa] *[http://www.icdlusa.org/ ICDL USA] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606204220/http://icdlusa.org/ |date=6 June 2019 }}
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Category:Information technology qualifications Category:Educational qualifications in the United Kingdom Category:Digital literacy