Vocational Training

European Computer Driving Licence

by Denise LEAHY
ECDL Foundation Ltd, Ireland





1. Introduction

    ECDL

    The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) is an internationally accepted IT skills certification. It certifies that the holder has passed theoretical and practical tests, which assess his/her knowledge of the basic concepts of Information Technology and his/her competence in using the computer.

    When ECDL was set up, objectives were defined as follows :

    - To raise the level of competence in computing for all European citizens, for those in the work force, for those seeking to join the work force, for those at home and for students.

    - To increase the productivity of all employees who need to use the computer in their work.

    - To enable better returns from investments in Information Technology.

    - To ensure all computer users understand the "Best Practices" and advantages of using a computer.

    Today the mission is re-stated : to raise the level of knowledge about information technology (IT) and increase the level of competence in using personal computers and common computer applications for all the citizens of the world.



    Europe

    The European Union has addressed the issue of computer literacy in several recent publications. The European initiatives for the Information Society state the need for all European citizens to be able to take full part in the Information Society. The EU has defined the challenges and actions which need to be faced in order to enable all European citizens to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Information Society.

    The actions are clustered around three main objectives :

    1. A cheaper, faster, secure Internet
    2. Investing in people and skills
    3. Stimulate the use of the Internet

    ECDL can address some of the challenges outlined above. In particular the issue of "investing in people and skills" - making IT available to "all" is an objective of ECDL. These challenges and actions must be inclusive. The requirements for people with disabilities must be accommodated.




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2. What is the Certification ?

The ECDL concept consists of the ECDL Syllabus, ECDL Tests and Testing Procedures and Quality Assurance which control the operations of ECDL.

The controlling body of ECDL is the ECDL Foundation Ltd. (ECDL-F), based in Dublin, Ireland. ECDL-F authorises a Licensee in each territory to run the ECDL certification programme. ECDL-F is responsible for the Syllabus, Tests, approval of Tests and Testing systems, procedures and ECDL Quality Assurance worldwide.

The ECDL programme is being implemented in more than 90 countries worldwide. Some 3 million people have participated in the certification. Outside Europe, ECDL is known as ICDL (International Computer Driving Licence).

    The Syllabus

    ECDL is based on a single agreed Syllabus. The purpose is to achieve a common standard and synchronise the different examinations. The Syllabus is available to the public and is posted on the ECDL Foundation website (www.ecdl.com).


    Testing

    ECDL may be certified by a set of Tests undertaken at the computer with Manual evaluation or, alternatively, by undertaking a set of Tests at the computer with Automatic evaluation. Manual Test evaluation is task oriented. Automatic Test evaluation is knowledge-based and/or based on task simulations.

    All Tests go through a strict validation process. Subject matter and content experts are involved before, during, and after any developments. Pilot Tests are run before Tests are released.


    Quality Assurance

    In order to maintain standards, a programme of Quality Assurance is in place. This consists of :

    - The ECDL Quality Assurance System
    - ECDL standards which must be implemented
    - Quality procedure guidelines, which may be adapted for national differences
    - A programme of Quality Audits




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3. An Accessible ECDL - the Challenge

    Immediate Action - France

    ECDL-F set up a working group in early 2003 to identify the accessibility issues for the visually impaired in the set of Manual Tests for Syllabus version 4 (formally launched on 4 April 2003 in Dublin). This has led to some re-wording of Tests - the standard has been maintained.

    These will be pilot tested in France during summer 2003.


    On-going European Projects

      - ECDL-PD (ECDL for people with disabilities)

      This European project is working on addressing the needs of four categories of disability. These are :

      Blind and visually impaired
      Deaf and hard of hearing
      People with learning disabilities
      Physically handicapped

      This group will complete its work in 2004, but findings will be incorporated into ECDL as they happen.

      - ACE (Accessible Community for E-business)

      This project plans to develop a community of visually impaired people in the South and East of Ireland. This will be an Accessible Community for E-business (ACE), consisting of people who will work together to contribute skills to the workforce through the development of e-businesses in rural areas.

      - TELL-IT

      This project will develop a multimedia, flexible and continuing training program for on-the-job training for people with mobility and/or visual impairment in order to be employed in the service provision sector and, more specifically, in helpdesk operations. The project has partners in Greece, Spain, Belgium and Ireland.


    Other Research

    Individual countries are working with people with disabilities to encourage their involvement and to identify the issues needed to be addressed. Much has already been achieved in Ireland, UK, Hungary, Italy, Norway and others.

    Initial research has been done in universities. The research into automated testing concluded that the current tests were not accessible to the visually impaired. This information, together with the other findings, is being used by ECDL-F.



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4. Conclusion

ECDL is a certificate of knowledge and competence in personal computer use at a core level. Experts are now evaluating the certification to define how it can best be made accessible for people with disabilities. ECDL-F is meeting the challenge by working towards providing an equal opportunity to all citizens to acquire the core IT skills necessary to participate in, and benefit from, the Information Society.





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