The ICDL Certification

Introduction- The ICDL (International Computer Driving Licence) is a recognized standard certificate for every person who uses a computer at home or work. An ICDL certification shows employers that one has basic and important IT skills. It also shows that one is competent in using a PC and standard computer software applications. Upon completion of the course one can engage in numerous IT fields.

Description:

ICDL certification is available in 138 countries with over 4 million participants with 12 million tests taken and endorsed by over 50 international bodies and computer societies (European Computer Driving License Foundation) asserted that the ICDL could provide a computer literacy level that could eliminate gaps in knowledge and provide teachers with a general set of standards from which to authenticate student IT skills. ICDL offers a wide range of teaching modules. The modules taught include:

1. Basic Concepts of Information Technology (IT) - Components of a computer, definitions common computer terms, computer use in everyday life.
2. Using the Computer and Managing Files - Working on a desktop, organizing files, simple editing, print features.
3. Word Processing - Opening a document, basic operations, styling and editing a document, printing a document.
4. Spreadsheets - Opening a spreadsheet, inputting data, working with formulas/functions, graphs and charts, printing.
5. Database - Planning a database, entering and sorting data, retrieving information, reporting
6. Presentation - Creating a presentation, formatting text/images, inserting graphics, printing and distribution, added effects.
7. Information and Communication - Getting started on the Internet, Web browsing, E-mail, managing messages.

Benefits of ICDL certification:

More than2 million people universally have attained the ICDL. Numerous employees including governments, multinational corporations and learning institutions all want their employees to increase their skills by taking the certificate to prove competence. The ICDL's core certification, the ICDL, is the foundation of the whole range of ICDL Certification. There are a wide range of merits of this certification for the individual, employer and the society at large. For the individual they include but are not limited to the following;

· Increasing ones participation in today's global digital society
· Gaining a better working knowledge of computers
· Increasing confidence in computer use
· Increasing ones value in the workplace by possessing a valuable certificate
· Acquiring a range of basic computer skills on which to build your computer literacy
· Improving job prospects and job mobility

Requirement:

To enroll for the ICDL training:

There is a set of necessities which must be complied with at the centre applying to offer ICDL testing. These requirements are divided into three diverse categories- The manpower, the facilities and the testing environment. They include a number of minimum fundamentals to be satisfied in the center such as the hardware used and the original software installed, the internet and intranet connectivity and the accessibility of uninterrupted power supply (UPS) for each of the computers.

To attain full certification one must amass knowledge in all the modules specified in for the course and has to pass one theoretical test on the Basic Concepts of Information Technology (IT) and six other practical Tests on computer use and common computer applications. These tests are set to great standards and match with the requirements of the technological needs within the various nations.

Completion of ICDL certification:

ICDL is popular and available in numerous countries and regions of the world. The certification encompasses various levels of technological know-how. For the beginner and amateur, one can enroll in an institute offering the courses and attend tutorials. The more endowed professionals can also register for the ICDL.

By: Tridipta Ghosh