ECDL at The University of Reading

What is ECDL?

The European Computer Driving Licence is a European-wide qualification which certifies that the holder is competent in using computers, thereby enhancing their career prospects. It is recognised across the European Community (and beyond) and is increasingly receiving the attention of industry and commerce. The syllabus is identical to ICDL (the International Computer Driving Licence); indeed the two qualifications are equivalent. This document explains how to enrol for ECDL at the University and how much it costs.

To find out about ECDL, go to the following web page: http://www.ecdl.co.uk. This site is hosted by the British Computer Society, who run the scheme in the UK. The ECDL Foundation website (located in Ireland) can be found at: http://www.ecdl.com. Both these sites explain what ECDL is all about and provide detailed information such as the syllabus and test centres.

What’s involved?

ECDL consists of 7 module tests that lead to the qualification. All 7 modules must be passed within a 3-year period (note: you can resit any module whose validity has lapsed). The modules are:

Basic concepts of IT Using the computer and managing files Word processing Spreadsheets Database Presentation Information and communication

Though the tests are supposed to be software-independent, you are really talking Microsoft Office.

How much does it cost?

Costs vary, depending on the Test Centre and its financing. Here at the University there is an initial joining fee of £25, which covers all the paperwork involved with registration and recording which modules are taken and when. In addition, there is a £6 fee for each test taken, making a total of £67 for the registration and 7 tests. A discount of £7 has been agreed for anyone paying for the registration and all 7 tests in a single payment (ie £60). 

Candidates are not entered for a test unless they can show they have reached a standard to pass (by gaining high marks on an assessment) - retests cost an additional £6 each.

Signing up

Staff: Some departments are happy to fund (or part-fund) members of staff interested in gaining the ECDL qualification. Sometimes a research account may have funds for training. Please send an internal requisition to IT Services for £60.

Students (or Staff): Individuals are welcome to fund themselves. To sign up you should go to the ITS Help Counter in the Main Library with a cheque made out to The University of Reading, either for £25 (to register only) or £60 (registration plus 7 tests - valid only at the University).

Users registered for ECDL can take the tests at any Test Centre they like – in any country offering the qualification. Members of the University who are already signed up elsewhere are welcome to take tests here (at £6 per test).

Training

Most of our existing training covers the ECDL syllabus fully. In some modules, the syllabus extends beyond what the average academic/student might use on a day-to-day basis - eg the word processing syllabus includes simple Mail Merge. Candidates are automatically signed up to a Blackboard course, with links to the syllabus, training and example questions (with answers to those questions which the majority of candidates find most difficult).

We also provide on-line self-teach training from Cheltenham Computer Training. Training manuals on ECDL are available in the Main Library (at 004.16-EUR).

Testing

Testing at the University currently takes place on a Monday morning (10:00-12:00), Monday afternoon (4:00-5:00) and Friday afternoon (4:00-5:00) in Room 105, S@iL, First Floor, Main Library. Candidates who can’t make these times can contact the Test Centre Manager to arrange a suitable alternative time. Assessments can be taken at any time; indeed, candidates can install the ActivTest software on their own PC and run them from home.

Tests are done and marked straightaway on the computer, using the ActivTest software from Activ Training Ltd. This software simulates Microsoft Office and includes example tests for each module (which you can try out once you are registered for ECDL). 

The pass rate for the tests is set quite high – at 75% for all modules. You have to take care when answering as it’s easy to make stupid mistakes, such as misreading a question. You can resit any tests you fail but you have to pay the test fee each time.

For further information, ask at the ITS Help Counter in the Library or contact the Test Centre Manager (e-mail: r.j.sammons@reading.ac.uk).

The Future

In addition to the standard ECDL qualification, advanced level modules in Wordprocessing, Spreadsheets, Databases and Presentations are becoming available. The advanced syllabuses can be viewed on the official web sites. Currently these are not offered at the University Test Centre – but it is hoped to do so in the near future.