European Computer Driving Licence
ECDL, called the European Computer Driving Licence, also called " European Computer Driving Licence ", is an internationally recognized certification for computer users. The ECDL certifies knowledge of computers and ability to use certain widely-used standard computer applications.
ECDL institutions
The ECDL is published by 30 European companies for computer science, which are organized under the umbrella of CEPIS (Council of European Professional Informatics Societies ). The international coordination is in the hands of the ECDL Foundation in Dublin, a non-profit organization. It ensures that the current ECDL standards are respected internationally and developed the certification system continuously on.
The reaction in the individual countries is for the national certification bodies of the ECDL / ICDL. In Germany this is the service company for computer science ( DLGI ) based in Bonn, in Austria, the Austrian Computer Society ( OCG ), based in Vienna and in Switzerland, the Swiss computer science society (SI).
Dissemination
International certificate (outside Europe as ICDL International Computer Driving Licence) is introduced in 148 countries; there is the ECDL or ICDL in 38 languages . International has more than eleven million people have completed the ECDL / ICDL.
The ECDL is recognized in many occupations and by some universities as proof of performance. Ministries of education of eleven federal countries have with the DLGI concluded a framework agreement to facilitate access to the ECDL system for schools. These are: Hesse, Bavaria, Rhineland -Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland, Baden- Württemberg, Lower Saxony, Thuringia, Bremen, Hamburg and Brandenburg. Several German schools abroad, inter alia, in Cairo, offer the ECDL for German students abroad. In Ireland, 6% of the total population already purchased the ECDL. In the UK, 1.3 million people of " National Health Service " complete the ECDL. An investigation of this has shown that after the daily working of the nursing staff has shortened the computer by more than thirty minutes. The cost of training and acquisition of the ECDL have consequently pays off quickly.
Modules / examination areas
The ECDL syllabus is divided into the following modular and complementary areas of knowledge modules ( = elements of the curriculum ) are:
- Computer Basics (operating system and general computer basics )
- Online basics (internet and email)
- Word processing
- Spreadsheet
- Databases
- Presentation ( presentation software )
- IT security
- Image processing
- Online collaboration ( online storage media, e -learning, online conferencing, mobile devices)
- Project planning
The ECDL certificate has two stages: first the ECDL Base ( 4 modules) 2 the ECDL standard (7 modules). It can also be issued individual certificates for each module.
In addition, there is the ECDL Advanced, which certifies advanced skills that are expected of advanced users.
The ECDL Advanced examines four modules:
- Module AM3 Word Processing
- Module AM4: spreadsheet
- Module AM5 Database
- Module AM6: Presentation
Difficulty and target groups of the ECDL
The curricula of the ECDL ( syllabi ) are updated by the experts of the 148 affiliated countries regularly. The currently valid versions of the New ECDL were introduced in September 2013. The learning objectives are based on the requirements of a computer workstation. The ECDL is a certificate for IT specialists, but a width certificate, be removed for the globally uniform testing according to standard specifications. The purpose of the ECDL exams is informatic literacy. The fact that the tests are suitable for this purpose, is a study by the University of Oldenburg fixed (see below). Subjects who performed well in an ECDL test could therefore better solve practical tasks on a computer than subjects who did not have the knowledge and skills that the ECDL syllabus defined and testers the ECDL exams. The fact that the international ECDL community, with the participation of European computer companies, with the ECDL syllabus ( syllabus) developed a very good definition of the fourth new culture technique of computer basic education is now widely recognized.
Ratio of the ECDL about various software products
The ECDL curricula ( syllabi ) are formulated product neutral. The browser-based tests for the application- oriented modules are always related to a specific software product, because it is tested by application tasks, whether the candidate can use a particular software safely. In addition, a set of questions relates in these modules on best practices, that is rules- for example, for the design of texts and presentations on safety-relevant knowledge, youth and media protection ( good practice questions ). Other modules examine generally relevant IT knowledge: The module Computer Basics has a fundamental addition to the theme OS IT knowledge to the subject, the module IT security the safe use of the computer and the Internet, the module online collaboration, the rules and procedures in the use of online tools ..
The candidate are different tests for the application-oriented modules are available. He can choose whether he wants to remote testing under Microsoft products or OpenOffice or LibreOffice. Also tests with Firefox, Thunderbird, Lotus Notes and Google tools as well as Gimp can be selected for the test ( depending on the module ).
Preparation for the ECDL exam
In the Internet there are free exercise pages. About the Web Site of DLGI are free learning materials available under a Moodle platform.
Many publishers offer to prepare for the ECDL exam teaching and learning materials, in printed form, as a PC or web application. At the ECDL logo can be seen that a learning tool by the national accreditation body for the ECDL - has been checked to ensure that it covers all the contents of the ECDL syllabus - in Germany from the DLGI.
ECDL courses are offered in many places of further education institutions that are accredited ECDL Prüfunsgzentrum. Addresses of such providers are listed on the web sites of the respective national accreditation body.
Businesses and institutions that use the ECDL
The ECDL standard is currently (2014) the most famous in Germany and most common certification for computer users. Large companies such as ABB, Axel Springer, bismuth AG, Degussa, Clariant, B. Braun Melsungen, German Telekom, Grundig, Bayer, Heraeus, and organizations such as the armed forces or the regional finance office Koblenz, have introduced him, often he is there duty for the trainees. Heraeus has even donated their own ECDL Award for trainees.
In some cases students will be paid at vocational schools as at the Radko - Stöckl School in Melsungen and at the vocational training center in Radebeul the ECDL even by the industry. Some employment agencies take over audit costs in cooperation with vocational training centers.
Importance for applications
A study of the Wolfgang Schulenberg Institute for Human Development and Adult Education at the University of Oldenburg demonstrates the importance of the ECDL certificate on the job search: " These respondents had participated in several months ECDL courses provided under the project. Two thirds of those who received a certificate were of the view that this improves their application opportunities. And indeed, it could be shown that those students who are submitting their certificate as part of the application documents for an application, were significantly more likely to be invited to interview, than those who did not. "
The ECDL exams
The examination requirements are oriented uniformly in the ECDL syllabus (Module Syllabi ) worldwide. ECDL examinations are held exclusively by examination centers that have been accredited by the national organization for ECDL. In Germany the DLGI is in Bonn as a spin -off from the society for computer science (GI ) is responsible for the accreditation of ECDL test centers.
The tests are in many countries internet based on computer removed ( in Germany only ). Supervision session lead managers who are trained in the test guidelines and the examination system. A module examination currently has 36 questions or tasks that need to be answered in 35 minutes at the In-Application form in 45 minutes or processed. Minimum score for passing is 75%. The tests are developed and validated by test experts. Understanding of merit is in addition to the reliability of the Contentvalidität, ie here the correspondence of what the test measures with what calls the ECDL syllabus ( syllabus) of knowledge and skills. It must be taken according to the specifications of the ECDL Foundation / Dublin, which are formulated in the so-called Characteristic Test Template (CTT ). This is the implementation of regulation which specifies in detail how the tests are to create. Syllabus and CTT are the uniform requirements for all countries currently 148 organizations of the ECDL. You shall ensure that the requirements of the ECDL tests are uniform worldwide. According to convey the objective of the ECDL, no theoretical computer science knowledge but practical handling skills when handling the standard software, in terms of a wide basic IT education, the questions are application based accordingly. For the ECDL tests are available in all three German-speaking countries, so-called In-Application tests available in which the candidate practical tasks in the original application, eg must edit in Word. The online exam system automatically controls the test sequence: there is a task to open the locally installed on the computer application that sets a file to be processed, eg an Excel spreadsheet, then checks the result and automatically presented to the next task.
Costs
A candidate must first pay a registration and administration fee (3/ 2012: € 48/Schüler € 28 net). He then obtains the so-called Cert ID under which he can place in 148 countries, its global ECDL exams. The validity of the Cert ID is no longer limited in time since 1 September 2013. All ECDL ECDL tests can be completed under a Cert ID. Drops per test at a fee. Since the examination centers here have leeway, you should at several of the ECDL test centers inquire in the catchment area, there are about 1,500 in Germany, including about 950 schools. The prices are lower than those of similar certificates. The ECDL is also supported by the Federal Institute for Occupational and Vocational Training Service of the Bundeswehr. In federal states, which have the DLGI concluded a framework agreement (see above), the schools receive benefits.