ICDL STUDY GUIDES

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� © Computer Society of Zimbabwe ICDL Training Materials �ii

CONTENTS

! What is the ICDL?

! Obtaining the ICDL � How to Proceed

! How to use these Study Guides

! Acknowledgments

� © Computer Society of Zimbabwe ICDL Training Materials � iii

WHAT IS THE ICDL?

The International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), is a World-widequalification, which is used as a measure of personal competence incomputer skills.

It�s aims are

To raise the general level of competency in IT

To improve productivity at work

To ensure that best practice and quality issues are understood andimplemented.

To increase computer literacy across the peoples of the world

The ICDL syllabus has been designed by a panel of international expertsto cover the key concepts of computing, its practical applications and theiruse in the workplace and society in general. It is broken down into sevenmodules, each of which must be passed before the ICDL will be issued.ICDL is open to anyone regardless of age, education, experience orbackground.

ICDL has been developed to help people at work and at home. It will confirmto potential employers that you have a professional recognised, relevantand up-to-date qualification and it will assist in raising familiarity withInformation Technology and its uses.

The popularity and acceptance of this unique qualification has resulted inenormous growth since the introduction in 1997. At the beginning of 2004,more than three million people from all walks of life had registered forICDL in over 130 countries on every continent. In Europe, where the conceptbegan it is known as the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence}.

The ICDL Syllabus, Testing and Quality Assurance is controlled by theInternational Computer Driving Licence Foundation, based in Europe, whichin turn licences various organisations around the world to administer thetesting and certification on its behalf. Usually these are professionalassociations such as the Computer Society of Zimbabwe, which is solelyresponsible for ICDL in Zimbabwe.

IMPORTANT: An ICDL certificate issued in one country is valid in all others.An ICDL started at one test centre may be completed at any other ICDLcentre in any country offering ICDL.

� © Computer Society of Zimbabwe ICDL Training Materials �iv

OBTAINING THE ICDL � HOW TO PROCEED

By acquiring this set of Study Guides you have already taken the first stepto obtaining your own ICDL. Follow the instructions below and you willachieve your goal.

1. Decide if you need tuition

From the enclosed Syllabus and Study material you should be able todecide if you need to register for tuition.

2. Find your nearest ICDL Centre

To locate a conveniently close approved ICDL Training Centre the best wayis to look at the website of the ICDL administrator in your country.

In Zimbabwe you can access www.csz.org.zw/icdl or contact theComputer Society secretariat, by email at info@csz.org.zw or telephone(04) 250489.

For the rest of Africa look at www.icdlafrica.org

In other countries it could be useful to look at the Foundation�s websitewww.ecdl.com where the contact details for each country are available.

3. Arrange your training

You have several options for your personal training:

Register for courses at an ICDL Training Centre

Self study � as well as these study guides there are a number oftraining products from approved ICDL providers � refer again towww.ecdl.com for information.

In some countries, including Zimbabwe, you can utilise the sevices ofapproved personal trainers.

4. Obtain your Skills Card or Logbook

You must acquire your ICDL skills card or log book before you can writethe tests � they may be purchased from any official ICDL Training/TestingCentre.

� © Computer Society of Zimbabwe ICDL Training Materials � v

As you pass each test the skillcard or logbook will be endorsed accordinglyby the Centre at which you take the test.

5. Take the Seven Tests

Arrange with the Centre to undertake the seven tests as and when you feelready. You may take the tests in any sequence, but you must complete allseven within three years.

6. Obtain your ICDL Certificate

When you have passed all seven tests you will receive your ICDL Certificatefrom the national ICDL authority and this is usually arranged by the ICDLCentre concerned.

Your certificate is valid in every country where ICDL has been established.

In some countries, including Zimbabwe, a plastic licence card is alsoavailable, details of which can be obtained from the ICDL Testing Centre.

You now have an international qualification which certifies your computerskills.

� © Computer Society of Zimbabwe ICDL Training Materials �vi

HOW TO USE THESE STUDY GUIDES

For Classroom Support or Self-study

The Study Guides have been designed as support material for classroomor one-to-one tuition, or alternatively as a means of self-study for moreexperienced users of personal computers.

Candidates in doubt about their existing level of competence should seekadvice from an ICDL Training Centre.

Installing Adobe Acrobat

To view the Study guides you need to have the Acrobat Reader installed onyour computer � this CD includes the option to install this.

Syllabus 4 compatible

This set of seven study guides is intended to assist candidates preparingto undergo testing for Syllabus Version 4 of the International ComputerDriving Licence. It covers the theoretical background for all seven modules,and guidance to the candidate in the six practical modules.

Candidates are advised to study the syllabus before starting on eachmodule. However it should be noted that the topics covered in the StudyGuides do not necessarily follow the sequence within the syllabus.

Exercises

Practical Exercises are included for each of the seven modules.

MS Office

Whilst the skills required to pass the ICDL may be demonstrated on anumber of acceptable software products, the information and diagramscontained in these Study Guides are based on Microsoft Office. It is intendedthat future versions of this CD will be expanded to include alternativeproducts.

� © Computer Society of Zimbabwe ICDL Training Materials � vii

Interactive Use of Guides

Except for Module 1, the Study Guides are based on practical work, andthe user should have access to a computer to try each of the instructionsteps described.

It is suggested that the relevant module of the Study Guide is openedconcurrently with the corresponding MS Office product to facilitate easyswitching (toggling) between the Guide text / diagrams and actual practicewith the application of skills.

� © Computer Society of Zimbabwe ICDL Training Materials �viii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This CD version of the ICDL Study Guides is the successor to the Syllabus3 printed version which was created, edited and published jointly by theComputer Society of Zimbabwe and World Links Zimbabwe in 2002.

The Computer Society of Zimbabwe is a professional associationestablished in 1974 with its main objective being to promote the better useof information technology by spreading skills and knowledge among allthe people of Zimbabwe.

World Links is an international project that connects and trains teachersand children in developing countries in the use of information andcommunications technology to promote computer literacy and improveeducation and employment opportunities. World Links Zimbabwe, formedin 1999, has been supported by a number of international and localpartners, and has worked closely with the Zimbabwe Government Ministryof Education.

The production of this latest CD version of the ICDL training material hasbeen greatly facilitated by assistance from CDC (U.S. Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention) whose interest lies in expanding computer literacyso that the benefits of utilising information technology in the provision ofhealth services especially in the rural communities may be realised.

Without the approval of the European Computer Driving LicenceFoundation, the release of this set of Study Guides would not have beenpossible, and the support and understanding of the Foundation in helpingus is therefore greatly valued.

Special acknowledgment is also due to the following individuals:

For the book version:

World Links National Co-ordinator, Justin Mupinda � co-author.

The late Joramu Banda � co-author.

The Computer Society�s Bulawayo team of Ted Tipler, Jean Whiley,Gary Brooking and Alan Metcalfe.

� © Computer Society of Zimbabwe ICDL Training Materials � ix

For the CD

Computer Society of Zimbabwe Assistant Director, Faith Macheke �chief editor.

Justin Mupinda, Dexter Tagwireyi, Ron Bergh, Odette Lind � assistanteditors.

Ian Bampton and Fontline � production.

Bob Mayes � CDC advisor.

"The Computer Society of Zimbabwe is extremely

pleased to be able to offer these ICDL Study Guides

as a further service to the community in keeping with

our commitment to our nation.#

Geoff FairallExecutive Director

Computer Society of ZimbabweAugust 2004