OpenICDL in Zimbabwe - Project Proposal

This project will involve the development of Ubuntu-based training and testing material for the ECDL/ICDL qualification.

OpenICDL refers to the International Computer Driving Licence based on open source software.

OpenICDL is a test of practical skills and competencies and consists of seven separate modules covering computer theory and practice. To achieve OpenICDL certification, a Candidate must successfully pass a test in all seven modules.

OpenICDL Module 1 is a theoretical test of computing knowledge at a general level and modules 2-7 are practical skills tests, as follows:

The OpenICDL program is for anyone who needs to demonstrate to an international standard that they are fully competent in the use of a personal computer and common computer applications and that they know the essential concepts of Information Technology.

Prospective Candidates should ideally have used computers and common software applications before. Training Materials for OpenICDL will be available Free of Charge.

Candidates, Registration and Training

Candidates register with the [http://www.csz.org.zw Computer Society of Zimbabwe] to start the OpenICDL certification process. They purchase a Skills Card on which their progress through the seven tests is recorded. Skills Cards may be purchased from any approved Test Centre. Only an approved Test Centre can carry out testing and issue Skills Cards. Test Centres are approved and monitored by the Computer Society of Zimbabwe the (open) ECDL /ICDL Licensee in Zimbabwe.

Usually the Candidate will undertake training on each Module of the syllabus prior to taking the test, although this is not compulsory. The amount of training will depend on the Candidate’s skills levels and the training provider chosen, but the average is around 30 hours of training per Module.

Some Candidates may feel competent enough in one area to forego training and move onto testing immediately, while others may require full training prior to testing. Training Materials for OpenICDL will be available free of Charge.

OpenICDL Challenge in Zimbabwe

There are NO known [http://www.ecdl.com ECDL Foundation] approved or Licensee ([http://www.csz.org.zw Computer Society of Zimbabwe]) approved training open source materials (books and computer based training) available so that a Candidate can learn freely in their own time.

OpenICDL Syllabus Version 4.0

The quality and relevance of OpenICDL Syllabus documents is guaranteed by the [http://www.ecdl.com ECDL Foundation] development processes and by an outstanding range of expert input from the world's leading computer societies and Independent subject matter experts. [http://www.ecdl.com/files/products/20060331035737_ECDLV4SWG110159.pdf Please click here for the latest Syllabus - ECDL / ICDL Syllabus Version 4.0]

(http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html Get Adobe Reader here])

Proposed OpenICDL Solutions

The [http://www.ubuntu-zw.org Ubuntu Zimbabwe LoCo Team] is developing Training and Learning materials for OpenICDL.

Email: MailTo(richubuntu AT SPAMFREE gmail DOT com)

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-- http://www.ubuntu-zw.org/