ECDL / ICDL Computer Essentials
Syllabus Version 1.0

PurposeThis document details the syllabus for ECDL / ICDL Computer Essentials. Thesyllabus describes, through learning outcomes, the knowledge and skills that acandidate for ECDL / ICDL Computer Essentials should possess. The syllabus also
provides the basis for the theory and practice-based test in this module.
Copyright © 2012 ECDL Foundation
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form except
as permitted by ECDL Foundation. Enquiries for permission to reproduce materialshould be directed to ECDL Foundation.
Disclaimer
Although every care has been taken by ECDL Foundation in the preparation of thispublication, no warranty is given by ECDL Foundation, as publisher, as to thecompleteness of the information contained within it and neither shall ECDLFoundation be responsible or liable for any errors, omissions, inaccuracies, loss ordamage whatsoever arising by virtue of such information or any instructions or advice
contained within this publication. Changes may be made by ECDL Foundation at its
own discretion and at any time without notice.

ECDL Foundation is a registered business name of The European Computer Driving Licence Foundation Limited and ECDL Foundation(International) Limited. European Computer Driving Licence, ECDL, International Computer Driving Licence, ICDL, and related logos are all
registered Trade Marks of ECDL Foundation. All rights reserved.
© 2012 ECDL Foundation

Ref: ECDL / ICDL Computer Essentials - Syllabus - V1.0

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ECDL / ICDL Computer Essentials
This module sets out essential concepts and skills relating to the use of devices, file creationand 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 anetwork.
Understand the importance of protecting data and devices from malware and ofbacking up data.
Recognise considerations relating to green IT, accessibility and user health.

CATEGORY
1 Computers andDevices

SKILL SET
1.1.1 ICT

1.2 Hardware© 2012 ECDL FoundationREF.

TASK ITEM

1.1.1

Define the term Information andCommunication Technology(ICT).

1.1.2

Identify different types of ICT
services/uses like: Internet
services, mobile technology,
office productivity applications.

1.2.1

Define the term hardware.
Identify the main types ofcomputers like: desktops,
laptops, tablets. Identify themain types of devices like:smartphones, media players,
digital cameras.

1.2.2

Define the terms processor,Random Access Memory(RAM), storage. Understandtheir impact on performance
when using computers anddevices.

Ref: ECDL / ICDL Computer Essentials - Syllabus - V1.0

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CATEGORYSKILL SET

1.3 Software and Licensing

1.4 Start Up, Shut Down

2 Desktop, Icons,
Settings© 2012 ECDL Foundation

2.1 Desktop and Icons

REF.

TASK ITEM

1.2.3

Identify the main types ofintegrated 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.

1.3.1

Define the term software anddistinguish between the maintypes of software like: operating
systems, applications. Knowthat software can be installed
locally or available online.

1.3.2

Define the term operating
system and identify somecommon operating systems forcomputers and devices.

1.3.3

Identify common examples ofapplications like: officeproductivity, communications,social networking, media,
design, mobile applications.

1.3.4

Define the term End-User
License Agreement (EULA).
Recognise that software mustbe licensed before use.

1.3.5

Outline the types of software
licenses: proprietary, open
source, trial version, shareware,
freeware.

1.4.1

Start a computer and log on
securely using a user name andpassword.

1.4.2

Log off, shut down, restart acomputer using an appropriate
routine.

2.1.1

Outline the purpose of thedesktop and the task bar.

2.1.2

Identify common icons likethose representing: files,
folders, applications, printers,
drives, shortcuts/aliases,
recycle bin/wastebasket/trash.

Ref: ECDL / ICDL Computer Essentials - Syllabus - V1.0

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CATEGORYSKILL SET

2.2 Using Windows

2.3 Tools and Settings

3 Outputs© 2012 ECDL Foundation

3.1 Working with TextREF.

TASK ITEM

2.1.3

Select and move icons.

2.1.4

Create, rename, move, delete a
shortcut/alias.

2.2.1

Identify the different parts of awindow: 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.

2.3.1

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 anappropriate routine.

2.3.8

Capture a full screen, activewindow.

3.1.1

Open, close a word processing
application. Open, close files.

3.1.2Enter text into a document.

3.1.3

Copy, move text within adocument, between open
documents. Paste a screen
capture into a document.

Ref: ECDL / ICDL Computer Essentials - Syllabus - V1.0

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CATEGORYSKILL SET

3.2 Printing

4 File Management© 2012 ECDL Foundation

4.1 Introducing Files andFolders

REF.

TASK ITEM

3.1.4Save and name a document.

3.2.1

Install, uninstall a printer. Printa test page.

3.2.2

Set the default printer from an
installed printer list.

3.2.3

Print a document from a word
processing application.

3.2.4

View, pause, restart, cancel a
print job.

4.1.1

Understand how an operating
system organises drives,folders, files in a hierarchicalstructure. 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 infolder, file naming: use
meaningful names for folders
and files to help with searchingand 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.

4.1.10View list of recently used files.

Ref: ECDL / ICDL Computer Essentials - Syllabus - V1.0

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CATEGORYSKILL SET
4.2 Organising Files andFolders

4.3 Storage and Compression

5 Networks© 2012 ECDL Foundation

5.1 Network ConceptsREF.

TASK ITEM

4.2.1

Select individual, adjacent, nonadjacent 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.

4.2.4

Delete files, folders to therecycle bin/wastebasket/trash
and restore to original location.

4.2.5

Empty the recycle
bin/wastebasket/trash.

4.3.1

Identify the main types ofstorage media like: internal
hard disk, external hard disk,
network drive, CD, DVD, Bluray Disc, USB flash drive,
memory card, online filestorage.

4.3.2

Identify file size, folder size,storage capacity measurements
like: KB, MB, GB, TB.

4.3.3

View available space on astorage 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.

5.1.1

Define the term network.
Outline the purpose of a
network: to share, access dataand 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, virtualprivate network (VPN) andidentify their main uses.

Ref: ECDL / ICDL Computer Essentials - Syllabus - V1.0

Page 7 of 9CATEGORYSKILL SET

5.2 Network Access

6 Security andWell-Being

6.1 Protecting Data andDevices

6.2 Malware© 2012 ECDL FoundationREF.

TASK ITEM

5.1.4

Understand what transfer ratemeans. Understand how it ismeasured: bits per second(bps), kilobits per second(kbps), megabits per second(mbps), gigabits per second(gbps).

5.1.5

Understand the concepts ofdownloading from, uploading toa network.

5.2.1

Identify the different options forconnecting to the Internet like:phone line, mobile phone,
cable, wi-fi, wi-max, satellite.

5.2.2

Define the term Internet Service
Provider (ISP). Identify
important considerations whenselecting an internet
subscription option like: uploadspeed, download speed andquota, cost.

5.2.3

Recognise the status of awireless network:
protected/secure, open.

5.2.4

Connect to a wireless network.

6.1.1

Recognise good password
policies like: create withadequate length, adequate
character mix, do not share,change regularly.

6.1.2

Define the term firewall andoutline its purpose.

6.1.3

Understand the purpose ofregularly backing up data to aremote location.

6.1.4

Recognise the importance ofregularly updating software like:anti-virus, application, operating
system software.

6.2.1

Understand the term malware.
Identify different types ofmalware like: virus, worm,
Trojan, spyware.

6.2.2

Be aware how malware can
infect a computer or device.

Ref: ECDL / ICDL Computer Essentials - Syllabus - V1.0

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CATEGORYSKILL SET6.3 Health and Green IT© 2012 ECDL FoundationREF.

TASK ITEM

6.2.3

Use anti-virus software to scan
a computer.

6.3.1

Recognise ways to help ensure
a user’s well-being while usinga computer or device like: takeregular breaks, ensure
appropriate lighting andposture.

6.3.2

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

6.3.3

Recognise that computers,devices, batteries, printercartridges and paper should berecycled.

6.3.4

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

Ref: ECDL / ICDL Computer Essentials - Syllabus - V1.0

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