August 2002 — Features
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Certification of Computer Literacy
Using ICDL in the Classroom
According to Gene Lewis, professor in the computer information systems department at Colorado State University (CSU), most people use a self-directed approach to prepare for the ICDL certification by purchasing a bundle package. Others prepare through traditional coursework at training centers and/or educational institutions similar to Lewis' computer literacy course at CSU. Students who successfully complete the CSU course should be able to pass the ICDL certification. Although testing is optional for students, Lewis encourages them to complete the official ICDL testing at a local private testing center.
Lewis is in his fourth year of teaching the computer literacy course at CSU since mapping it to the ICDL/ECDL standards. He uses self-paced on-screen software as the first learning tool and a text as the secondary learning vehicle. This fully interactive, self-paced course serves as an example of how conducive our educational system can be in providing these skills to students. However, Lewis believes that the most appropriate place for this preparation is at the secondary level. At this point students are still entering college lacking in many computer skills necessary to be considered computer literate given the ICDL criteria, so the need for such a class is still necessary at CSU.
When Lewis became aware of the ECDL/ICDL, he revamped his computer literacy course based on the ICDL requirements. He then designed materials to use in teaching such a course, resulting in Essential IT Skills published by Electric Paper. The company provides all-inclusive e-learn-ing solutions for the ECDL/ICDL certification, incorporating assessments, training materials and automated testing approved by the ECDL Foundation. Lewis' book and accompanying software offer an approved training course for the ICDL, consisting of a fully interactive e-learning model that features Electric Paper software. This suite of e-learning products incorporates on-screen assessment exercises, training materials and certification testing that can be utilized in a classroom or completely hands off.
Lewis' computer literacy course consists of 20 to 25 sections each semester with enrollments of roughly 600 students. Students can opt to attend class, but given the fully interactive, self-paced nature of the text and software, and the fact that many students have their own computers, most students attend only on assessment days.
Conclusion
The ability to provide students with a globally recognized certification that creates an international standard for IT skills would be invaluable to schools, students and employers. Having an international standard for computer literacy would eliminate gaps in knowledge and variations in standards or expectations, while extending the standards to a wider range of skills beyond word processing. In addition, the existence of an international standard for computer literacy, such as the ECDL/ICDL, provides all business teachers with the same benchmarks (i.e., curriculum) toward which to teach. When combined with the resources to provide such training, computer literacy is not only attainable, it's certifiable.
