ICDL Workforce

COMPUTER
ESSENTIALS
Syllabus 1.0

Syllabus Document

© 2012 - 2019 ICDL Foundation Ref: ICDL Computer Essentials - Syllabus - V1.0 Page 1 of 9
Purpose
This document details the syllabus for ICDL Computer Essentials. The syllabus describes,
through learning outcomes, the knowledge and skills that a candidate for ICDL Computer
Essentials should possess. The syllabus also provides the basis for the theory and practice-
based test in this module.

Copyright © 2012 – 2019 ICDL Foundation

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form except as
permitted by ICDL Foundation. Enquiries for permission to reproduce material should be
directed to ICDL Foundation.

Disclaimer
Although every care has been taken by ICDL Foundation in the preparation of this
publication, no warranty is given by ICDL Foundation, as publisher, as to the completeness of
the information contained within it and neither shall ICDL Foundation be responsible or
liable for any errors, omissions, inaccuracies, loss or damage whatsoever arising by virtue of
such information or any instructions or advice contained within this publication. Changes
may be made by ICDL Foundation at its own discretion and at any time without notice.

Copyright 2012 – 2019 ICDL Foundation ICDL Foundation, ICDL Europe, ICDL, ECDL and related logos are registered business names
and/or trademarks of ECDL Foundation.

© 2012 - 2019 ICDL Ref: ICDL Computer Essentials - Syllabus - V1.0

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 ICDL Computer Essentials

This module sets out essential concepts and skills relating to the use of devices, file creation and
management, networks and data security.

Module Goals

Successful candidates will be able to:

 Understand key concepts relating to ICT, computers, devices and software.

 Start up and shut down a computer.
 Work effectively on the computer desktop using icons, windows.
 Adjust the main operating system settings and use built-in help features.
 Create a simple document and print an output.
 Know about the main concepts of file management and be able to efficiently organise files
and folders.
 Understand key storage concepts and use utility software to compress and extract large
files.
 Understand network concepts and connection options and be able to connect to a network.
 Understand the importance of protecting data and devices from malware and of backing up
data.
 Recognise considerations relating to green IT, accessibility and user health.

CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

1 Computers 1.1 ICT 1.1.1 Define the term Information and

and Devices Communication Technology
(ICT).

1.1.2 Identify different types of ICT

services/uses like: Internet
services, mobile technology,
office productivity applications.

1.2 Hardware 1.2.1 Define the term hardware.

Identify the main types of
computers like: desktops,
laptops, tablets. Identify the
main types of devices like:
smartphones, media players,
digital cameras.

1.2.2 Define the terms processor,

Random Access Memory
(RAM), storage. Understand
their impact on performance
when using computers and
devices.

© 2012 - 2019 ICDL Ref: ICDL Computer Essentials - Syllabus - V1.0

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 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

1.2.3 Identify the main types of

integrated and external
equipment like: printers, screens,
scanners, keyboards,
mouse/trackpad, webcam,
speakers, microphone, docking
station.

1.2.4 Identify common input/output

ports like: USB, HDMI.

1.3 Software and Licensing 1.3.1 Define the term software and
distinguish between the main
types of software like: operating
systems, applications. Know that
software can be installed locally or
available online.

1.3.2 Define the term operating system

and identify some common
operating systems for computers
and devices.

1.3.3 Identify common examples of

applications like: office
productivity, communications,
social networking, media,
design, mobile applications.

1.3.4 Define the term End-User

License Agreement (EULA).
Recognise that software must
be licensed before use.

1.3.5 Outline the types of software

licenses: proprietary, open source,
trial version, shareware, freeware.

1.4 Start Up, Shut Down 1.4.1 Start a computer and log on
securely using a user name and
password.

1.4.2 Log off, shut down, restart a

computer using an appropriate
routine.

2 Desktop, 2.1 Desktop and Icons 2.1.1 Outline the purpose of the
Icons, Settings desktop and the task bar.

2.1.2 Identify common icons like

those representing: files,
folders, applications, printers,
drives, shortcuts/aliases, recycle
bin/wastebasket/trash.

2.1.3 Select and move icons.

2.1.4 Create, rename, move, delete a

shortcut/alias.

© 2012 - 2019 ICDL Ref: ICDL Computer Essentials - Syllabus - V1.0

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 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

2.2 Using Windows 2.2.1 Identify the different parts of a

window: title bar, menu bar,
toolbar, ribbon, status bar,
scroll bar.

2.2.2 Open, collapse, expand,

restore down, maximise, resize,
move, close a window.

2.2.3 Switch between open windows.

2.3 Tools and Settings 2.3.1 Use available help functions.

2.3.2 View the computer's basic

system information: operating
system name and version
number, installed RAM.

2.3.3 Change desktop configuration

settings: date and time, volume
settings, background, resolution.

2.3.4 Change, add, remove keyboard

language. Change default
language.

2.3.5 Shut down a non-responding

application.

2.3.6 Install, uninstall an application.

2.3.7 Connect a device (USB flash

drive, digital camera, media
player) to a computer.
Disconnect a device using an
appropriate routine.

2.3.8 Capture a full screen, active

window.

3 Outputs 3.1 Working with Text 3.1.1 Open, close a word processing
application. Open, close files.

3.1.2 Enter text into a document.

3.1.3 Copy, move text within a

document, between open
documents. Paste a screen
capture into a document.

3.1.4 Save and name a document.

3.2 Printing 3.2.1 Install, uninstall a printer. Print

a test page.

3.2.2 Set the default printer from an

installed printer list.

© 2012 - 2019 ICDL Ref: ICDL Computer Essentials - Syllabus - V1.0

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 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

3.2.3 Print a document from a word

processing application.

3.2.4 View, pause, restart, cancel a

print job.

4 File Management 4.1 Introducing Files 4.1.1 Understand how an operating

and Folders system organises drives,
folders, files in a hierarchical
structure. Navigate between
drives, folders, sub-folders,
files.

4.1.2 Display file, folder properties

like: name, size, location.

4.1.3 Change view to display files and

folders like: tiles, icons, list,
details.

4.1.4 Identify common file types like:

word processing, spreadsheet,
presentation, portable document
format (pdf), image, audio,
video, compressed, executable
files.

4.1.5 Open a file, folder, drive.

4.1.6 Recognise good practice in

folder, file naming: use
meaningful names for folders
and files to help with searching
and organisation.

4.1.7 Create a folder.

4.1.8 Rename a file, folder.

4.1.9 Search for files by properties: all

or part of file name using
wildcards if necessary, content,
date modified.

4.1.10 View list of recently used files.

4.2 Organising Files 4.2.1 Select individual, adjacent, non-

and Folders adjacent files, folders.

4.2.2 Sort files in ascending,

descending order by name,
size, type, date modified.

4.2.3 Copy, move files, folders

between folders, drives.

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4.2.4 Delete files, folders to the

recycle bin/wastebasket/trash and
restore to original location.

4.2.5 Empty the recycle

bin/wastebasket/trash.

4.3 Storage and Compression 4.3.1 Identify the main types of

storage media like: internal
hard disk, external hard disk,
network drive, CD, DVD, Blu-
ray Disc, USB flash drive,
memory card, online file
storage.

4.3.2 Identify file size, folder size,

storage capacity measurements
like: KB, MB, GB, TB.

4.3.3 View available space on a

storage device.

4.3.4 Understand the purpose of file,

folder compression.

4.3.5 Compress files, folders.

4.3.6 Extract compressed files, folders

to a location on a drive.

5 Networks 5.1 Network Concepts 5.1.1 Define the term network.

Outline the purpose of a
network: to share, access data
and devices securely.

5.1.2 Define the term Internet. Identify

some of its main uses like:
World Wide Web (WWW),
VoIP, e-mail, IM.

5.1.3 Define the terms intranet, virtual

private network (VPN) and
identify their main uses.

5.1.4 Understand what transfer rate

means. Understand how it is
measured: bits per second
(bps), kilobits per second
(kbps), megabits per second
(mbps), gigabits per second
(gbps).

5.1.5 Understand the concepts of

downloading from, uploading to
a network.

5.2 Network Access 5.2.1 Identify the different options for

connecting to the Internet like:
phone line, mobile phone,
cable, wi-fi, wi-max, satellite.

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5.2.2 Define the term Internet Service

Provider (ISP). Identify important
considerations when selecting an
internet subscription option like:
upload speed, download speed
and quota, cost.

5.2.3 Recognise the status of a

wireless network:
protected/secure, open.

5.2.4 Connect to a wireless network.

6 Security 6.1 Protecting Data 6.1.1 Recognise good password

and Well- and Devices policies like: create with
Being adequate length, adequate
character mix, do not share,
change regularly.

6.1.2 Define the term firewall and

outline its purpose.

6.1.3 Understand the purpose of

regularly backing up data to a
remote location.

6.1.4 Recognise the importance of

regularly updating software like:
anti-virus, application, operating
system software.

6.2 Malware 6.2.1 Understand the term malware.

Identify different types of
malware like: virus, worm,
Trojan, spyware.

6.2.2 Be aware how malware can

infect a computer or device.

6.2.3 Use anti-virus software to scan a

computer.

6.3 Health and Green IT 6.3.1 Recognise ways to help ensure a

user’s well-being while using a
computer or device like: take
regular breaks, ensure
appropriate lighting and posture.

6.3.2 Recognise computer and device

energy saving practices: turning
off, adjusting automatic shutdown,
backlight, sleep mode settings.

6.3.3 Recognise that computers,

devices, batteries, printer
cartridges and paper should be
recycled.

© 2012 - 2019 ICDL Ref: ICDL Computer Essentials - Syllabus - V1.0

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6.3.4 Identify some options available

for enhancing accessibility like:
voice recognition software,
screen reader, screen
magnifier, on-screen keyboard,
high contrast.

© 2012 - 2019 ICDL Ref: ICDL Computer Essentials - Syllabus - V1.0

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