ICDL STUDY GUIDES

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 CONTENTS

! What is the ICDL?

! Obtaining the ICDL – How to Proceed

! How to use these Study Guides

! Acknowledgments

ii • © Computer Society of Zimbabwe ICDL Training Materials •

 WHAT IS THE ICDL?
The International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), is a World-wide
qualification, which is used as a measure of personal competence in
computer 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 and
implemented.
To increase computer literacy across the peoples of the world
The ICDL syllabus has been designed by a panel of international experts
to cover the key concepts of computing, its practical applications and their
use in the workplace and society in general. It is broken down into seven
modules, each of which must be passed before the ICDL will be issued.
ICDL is open to anyone regardless of age, education, experience or
background.
ICDL has been developed to help people at work and at home. It will confirm
to potential employers that you have a professional recognised, relevant
and up-to-date qualification and it will assist in raising familiarity with
Information Technology and its uses.
The popularity and acceptance of this unique qualification has resulted in
enormous growth since the introduction in 1997. At the beginning of 2004,
more than three million people from all walks of life had registered for
ICDL in over 130 countries on every continent. In Europe, where the concept
began it is known as the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence}.
The ICDL Syllabus, Testing and Quality Assurance is controlled by the
International Computer Driving Licence Foundation, based in Europe, which
in turn licences various organisations around the world to administer the
testing and certification on its behalf. Usually these are professional
associations such as the Computer Society of Zimbabwe, which is solely
responsible 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 ICDL
centre in any country offering ICDL.

• © Computer Society of Zimbabwe ICDL Training Materials • iii

 OBTAINING THE ICDL – HOW TO PROCEED
By acquiring this set of Study Guides you have already taken the first step
to obtaining your own ICDL. Follow the instructions below and you will
achieve your goal.

1. Decide if you need tuition

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

2. Find your nearest ICDL Centre

To locate a conveniently close approved ICDL Training Centre the best way
is to look at the website of the ICDL administrator in your country.
In Zimbabwe you can access www.csz.org.zw/icdl or contact the
Computer Society secretariat, by email at [email protected] 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 website
www.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 of
training products from approved ICDL providers – refer again to
www.ecdl.com for information.
In some countries, including Zimbabwe, you can utilise the sevices of
approved personal trainers.

4. Obtain your Skills Card or Logbook

You must acquire your ICDL skills card or log book before you can write
the tests – they may be purchased from any official ICDL Training/Testing
Centre.

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As you pass each test the skillcard or logbook will be endorsed accordingly
by 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 feel
ready. You may take the tests in any sequence, but you must complete all
seven within three years.

6. Obtain your ICDL Certificate

When you have passed all seven tests you will receive your ICDL Certificate
from the national ICDL authority and this is usually arranged by the ICDL
Centre concerned.
Your certificate is valid in every country where ICDL has been established.
In some countries, including Zimbabwe, a plastic licence card is also
available, details of which can be obtained from the ICDL Testing Centre.
You now have an international qualification which certifies your computer
skills.

• © Computer Society of Zimbabwe ICDL Training Materials • v

 HOW TO USE THESE STUDY GUIDES

For Classroom Support or Self-study

The Study Guides have been designed as support material for classroom
or one-to-one tuition, or alternatively as a means of self-study for more
experienced users of personal computers.
Candidates in doubt about their existing level of competence should seek
advice from an ICDL Training Centre.

Installing Adobe Acrobat

To view the Study guides you need to have the Acrobat Reader installed on
your computer – this CD includes the option to install this.

Syllabus 4 compatible
This set of seven study guides is intended to assist candidates preparing
to undergo testing for Syllabus Version 4 of the International Computer
Driving 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 each
module. However it should be noted that the topics covered in the Study
Guides 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 a
number of acceptable software products, the information and diagrams
contained in these Study Guides are based on Microsoft Office. It is intended
that future versions of this CD will be expanded to include alternative
products.

vi • © Computer Society of Zimbabwe ICDL Training Materials •

Interactive Use of Guides
Except for Module 1, the Study Guides are based on practical work, and
the user should have access to a computer to try each of the instruction
steps described.
It is suggested that the relevant module of the Study Guide is opened
concurrently with the corresponding MS Office product to facilitate easy
switching (toggling) between the Guide text / diagrams and actual practice
with the application of skills.

• © Computer Society of Zimbabwe ICDL Training Materials • vii

 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This CD version of the ICDL Study Guides is the successor to the Syllabus
3 printed version which was created, edited and published jointly by the
Computer Society of Zimbabwe and World Links Zimbabwe in 2002.
The Computer Society of Zimbabwe is a professional association
established in 1974 with its main objective being to promote the better use
of information technology by spreading skills and knowledge among all
the people of Zimbabwe.
World Links is an international project that connects and trains teachers
and children in developing countries in the use of information and
communications technology to promote computer literacy and improve
education and employment opportunities. World Links Zimbabwe, formed
in 1999, has been supported by a number of international and local
partners, and has worked closely with the Zimbabwe Government Ministry
of Education.
The production of this latest CD version of the ICDL training material has
been greatly facilitated by assistance from CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention) whose interest lies in expanding computer literacy
so that the benefits of utilising information technology in the provision of
health services especially in the rural communities may be realised.
Without the approval of the European Computer Driving Licence
Foundation, the release of this set of Study Guides would not have been
possible, and the support and understanding of the Foundation in helping
us 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.

viii • © Computer Society of Zimbabwe ICDL Training Materials •

For the CD
Computer Society of Zimbabwe Assistant Director, Faith Macheke –
chief editor.
Justin Mupinda, Dexter Tagwireyi, Ron Bergh, Odette Lind – assistant
editors.
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 Fairall
Executive Director
Computer Society of Zimbabwe
August 2004

• © Computer Society of Zimbabwe ICDL Training Materials • ix