ECDL Malta

ECDL Core

         

European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL), known as ICDL outside Europe, is the global standard in end-user computer skills, offering Candidates an internationally recognised certification that is supported by governments, computer societies, international organisations and commercial corporations globally.

ECDL is the world's largest end-user computer skills certification programme, with more than 7 million Candidates in 148 countries.

ECDL raises the level of ICT and computer skills and allows Candidates to be more productive at home and at work. ECDL also improves job prospects by providing an internationally recognised qualification. With a superior syllabus - uniquely validated to ensure that it is always relevant, up-to-date and meaningful - Candidates can be confident that ECDL offers a certification of unrivalled quality.

What is it?

ECDL is a test of practical skills and competencies and consists of seven separate modules covering computer theory and practice. To achieve an ECDL / ICDL certification, the Candidate must successfully pass a test in all seven modules.

ECDL Module 1 is a theoretical test of computing knowledge at a general level and modules 2-7 are practical skills tests, as follows:

• Module 1 - Concepts of Information & Communication Technology (ICT)
• Module 2 - Using the Computer and Managing Files
• Module 3 - Word Processing
• Module 4 - Spreadsheets
• Module 5 - Using Databases
• Module 6 - Presentation
• Module 7 - Web Browsing & Communication

Who is ECDL for?

The ECDL programme is for anyone who needs to demonstrate to an international standard that they are fully competent in the use of a personal computer and common computer applications and that they know the essential concepts of Information Technology.

Prospective Candidates should ideally have used computers and the common software applications before. Other programmes are also available for those with other requirements. Alternatively, Candidates who have never used computers before, may be interested in our EqualSkills programme.

Benefits of ECDL

Today, computer skills are increasingly important to people in all walks of life. ECDL is an information technology certificate for all citizens. It is intended for those who need to, or wish to, know how to use a personal computer. It is suitable for people from every work discipline, for people entering the job market, and for all ages.

Benefits for Candidates:

• Increases essential ICT knowlege/skills
• Increases confidence in computer use
• Provides internationally-recognised qualification
• Improves job prospects and job mobility
• Provides a platform from which to move on to higher-level ICT education

Benefits for Employers:

• Increases productivity
• Reduces costs
• Increases the quality of employee output
• Reduces time wasted
• Makes better use of ICT resources
• Provides a better return on ICT investment

Registering to start ECDL

When Candidates register to start the ECDL certification process they purchase a Skills Card. The Skills Card is an A4 sheet that is used to record all successfully completed modules. Skills Cards may be purchased from any accredited ECDL Test Centre. Only an accredited Test Centre can carry out testing and issue Skills Cards. Test Centres are approved and monitored by ECDL Malta.

Training

ECDL training is delivered through a variety of media, including traditional classroom based, instructor-led methods, and self-directed, assignment or multimedia based training (CBT), which is usually a home study option. This latter method has proved to be most successful when learners are supported by a tutor or mentor to help with any queries.

Candidates are not however, required to do any training in order to achieve their ECDL. If they are competent in the syllabus content, they can contact an accredited ECDL test centre, purchase a skills card and sit the tests.

Courseware

There are a number of approved ECDL Core courseware providers who produce materials for teaching and learning the knowledge and skills prescribed in the ECDL syllabus. Below is a list of approved courseware providers for Malta:

• Cheltenham Courseware
• CiA Training

Tests

As with training there are a number of different options available when it comes to ECDL testing.

• ECDL Core tests fall in two categories:


1. Manual Testing - Under this mode of testing, Candidates receive a test paper, and work files which they edit and modify on the computer as required. Accredited ECDL testers mark the tests and issue the results. As from 1st September 2010 ECDL Core tests will be done on automated testing software.


2. Automated Testing - Many centres use an automated testing software, where Candidates undertake a test on a computer, which then automatically assesses the candidate's performance, and provides immediate pass/fail feedback to both the centre and the candidate. The use of automated testing simplifies the testing and administration procedures in a test centre, and makes it very efficient.
• The duration of each test is 45 minutes. No books or other help may be used during the tests.
• The pass mark for each test is set to be 75%.
• The seven tests may be taken in any sequence and at any time in any accredited ECDL Test Centre within 3 years, from the date of the first successful test. Candidates will need to purchase a new Skills Card and resit all tests if they do not manage to do all tests within the 3 year period.
• Candidates failing ECDL tests are allowed to retake different test versions of the same module. Candidates are encouraged to attempt the sample test papers before taking tests. Candidates are strongly encouraged to liaise with the ECDL Test Centre to sit for mock/diagnostic tests.
• Any candidate who is not satisfied with any aspect of the assessment process of his/her ECDL module test is encouraged to discuss his/her concerns with the Test Centre. If s/he is not satisfied with the outcome of these discussions, s/he is encouraged to invoke the Complaints and Appeals Procedure with ECDL Malta. The Candidate will be requested to send an email/letter to ECDL Malta explaining his/her concerns and any actions that have been taken.

Syllabus 5.0

Starting from 01-Oct-09, all ECDL Core tests are based on Syllabus V5. Candidates who have not successfully completed all modules on Syllabus V4 by 30-Sep-09 will need to continue their tests on Syllabus V5. Candidates are not required to restart the qualification and sit for all tests on Syllabus 5. The syllabus version printed on the ECDL Core certificate will reflect the majority of modules completed i.e. a candidate that completes 4 modules with Syllabus 5, will be awarded an ECDL Syllabus 5 certificate.

ECDL Core Syllabus V5.0 is available in PDF format.

A document with a brief description of the main changes between Syllabus V5 and the previous Syllabus V4 for each module is available in PDF format.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files on your system.

Sample Tests

In order to download the ECDL Sample Paper files to your PC, do the following:

1. Select the ECDL Sample Paper link provided below
2. In the dialogue box that appears, select "Open this file from its current location"
3. In the dialogue box that appears, select the required path to extract files to.(e.g. C:/My Documents)
4. This will extract all the files into the chosen folder above (you may require a compressed folder extraction tool e.g. jZip)
5. In this folder, open the files and follow instructions.

• ECDL Sample Test Papers [Syllabus 5.0] Win XP/Office 2003 and Win Vista/Office 2007.

Certification

The ECDL Core Certificate is awarded when all seven module tests have been successfully completed. The certificate will NOT be issued immediately by the Test Centre. ECDL Malta will issue the certificate and pass this on to the Test Centre where the last test was held. The Candidate will collect the certificate from the Test Centre where s/he had sat for her/his last test. The fee involved in issuing the ECDL Core certificate is incorporated in the cost of the Skills Card.

Candidates have the option of requesting an ECDL Start certificate after having successfully completed any four modules of the ECDL Core programme. The Candidate will still have the option of obtaining the full certificate once all modules have been passed. However, this will only be issued against payment of an additional charge as indicated by the Test Centre.

How to get Started

Contact one of the locally accredited ECDL Test Centres.