New ECDL syllabus launched in Malta
Goodbye Zip disks and the formatting of floppy disks and welcome SMS, instant messaging, blogging, VoIP, podcasting and social networking. The emergence of new technologies is reflected in the new ECDL syllabus version 5 launched in Malta...
Goodbye Zip disks and the formatting of floppy disks and welcome SMS, instant messaging, blogging, VoIP, podcasting and social networking. The emergence of new technologies is reflected in the new ECDL syllabus version 5 launched in Malta yesterday.
The essential structure of seven modules has been retained but new content areas, such as personal devices and new communication technologies, have been included to reflect current trends.
From October 1 until September 30, 2009, candidates in Malta will be able to sit for either syllabus version 4 or syllabus version 5 tests. During this period, test centres will have enough time to update their training courses to the new syllabus. As from October 1, 2009 candidates will only be able to sit for syllabus version 5 tests.
ECDL is the world's leading end-user computer skills certification programme. To date, more than seven million people in 148 countries participate in the ECDL certification programme, and around 11,000 have obtained a certificate in Malta since its introduction in 2000. At that time the ECDL programme in Malta was operated by the British Computer Society. The syllabus used at that time was version 3.0. In 2003, the Computer Society of Malta became the national licensee for ECDL in Malta and took over the operations from the British Computer Society. Since September 2004, all ECDL tests in Malta were based on syllabus version 4.
"ECDL has contributed to bridge the digital divide by providing a basic IT qualification that can be used as a stepping stone to more specialised courses," a spokesman for ECDL Malta said. "Prior to the introduction of ECDL, people used to follow training courses and end up with a certificate of attendance. Some training centres used to organise in-house tests and issue a certificate to their students. The introduction of the ECDL programme enabled training centres to offer an internationally-recognised qualification based on a standard syllabus. This has encouraged many people to go through this programme in order to achieve an international certificate that was being recognised and set as a requirement for several jobs."
Indeed, most of the knowledge-based jobs offered in Malta today require an ECDL certificate, including the public service, and higher education institutions like the University of Malta.
The ECDL Foundation, the global governing body of the computer skills certification programme, said it has developed syllabus version 5 through a rigorous development process that incorporated inputs from computer users and professionals from all over the world to ensure that the ECDL programme remains the global standard in ICT certification programmes.
Malta also contributed significantly to the development of this syllabus through its representative on the Expert Working Group. The role of the Expert Working Group is to provide detailed subject matter expertise to ensure that the syllabus is technically accurate and has the appropriate scope.
In general, syllabus version 5 has taken an evolutionary approach to syllabus version upgrade including improving clarity through the reorganisation of categories and skill sets as well as by the use of plain English throughout (like using "copy" instead of "duplicate"). It also improves consistency across modules in handling common elements (like "check" and "print") and enhances module names to reflect changes in syllabus content (like Module 1: Concepts of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Module 5: Using Databases, Module 7: Web Browsing and Communication).
Module 7, focusing on the internet, has seen the most thorough update of all modules, proof of the advance in web technologies in the last few years. The new module title reflects the growing importance of web browsing within the module domain. The new syllabus version also incorporates new communication terms like SMS, VOIP, and IM which were introduced along with the concept of an online (virtual) community.
Growing security threats are expanded in the new syllabus and include viruses, worms, Trojan horse, spyware, as well as the umbrella term malware. New threats like phishing as well as the ability to recognise attempted phishing are introduced. Risks of online activity are introduced and parental control options are identified to promote safe computer use at home.
Features of new browser versions have been included to future-proof the syllabus including opening a webpage in a new tab and allowing/blocking pop-ups.
Following the launch of syllabus version 5, the ECDL Foundation has embarked on a programme to revise the current ECDL Advanced syllabi. The plan is for these syllabi to be launched next month during the annual ECDL Foundation Forum which this year is being organised in Vienna.
For more information about ECDL programmes, the ECDL Malta office may be contacted via e-mail info@ecdl.com.mt or phone number 2398 0132.
The essential structure of seven modules has been retained but new content areas, such as personal devices and new communication technologies, have been included to reflect current trends.
From October 1 until September 30, 2009, candidates in Malta will be able to sit for either syllabus version 4 or syllabus version 5 tests. During this period, test centres will have enough time to update their training courses to the new syllabus. As from October 1, 2009 candidates will only be able to sit for syllabus version 5 tests.
ECDL is the world's leading end-user computer skills certification programme. To date, more than seven million people in 148 countries participate in the ECDL certification programme, and around 11,000 have obtained a certificate in Malta since its introduction in 2000. At that time the ECDL programme in Malta was operated by the British Computer Society. The syllabus used at that time was version 3.0. In 2003, the Computer Society of Malta became the national licensee for ECDL in Malta and took over the operations from the British Computer Society. Since September 2004, all ECDL tests in Malta were based on syllabus version 4.
"ECDL has contributed to bridge the digital divide by providing a basic IT qualification that can be used as a stepping stone to more specialised courses," a spokesman for ECDL Malta said. "Prior to the introduction of ECDL, people used to follow training courses and end up with a certificate of attendance. Some training centres used to organise in-house tests and issue a certificate to their students. The introduction of the ECDL programme enabled training centres to offer an internationally-recognised qualification based on a standard syllabus. This has encouraged many people to go through this programme in order to achieve an international certificate that was being recognised and set as a requirement for several jobs."
Indeed, most of the knowledge-based jobs offered in Malta today require an ECDL certificate, including the public service, and higher education institutions like the University of Malta.
The ECDL Foundation, the global governing body of the computer skills certification programme, said it has developed syllabus version 5 through a rigorous development process that incorporated inputs from computer users and professionals from all over the world to ensure that the ECDL programme remains the global standard in ICT certification programmes.
Malta also contributed significantly to the development of this syllabus through its representative on the Expert Working Group. The role of the Expert Working Group is to provide detailed subject matter expertise to ensure that the syllabus is technically accurate and has the appropriate scope.
In general, syllabus version 5 has taken an evolutionary approach to syllabus version upgrade including improving clarity through the reorganisation of categories and skill sets as well as by the use of plain English throughout (like using "copy" instead of "duplicate"). It also improves consistency across modules in handling common elements (like "check" and "print") and enhances module names to reflect changes in syllabus content (like Module 1: Concepts of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Module 5: Using Databases, Module 7: Web Browsing and Communication).
Module 7, focusing on the internet, has seen the most thorough update of all modules, proof of the advance in web technologies in the last few years. The new module title reflects the growing importance of web browsing within the module domain. The new syllabus version also incorporates new communication terms like SMS, VOIP, and IM which were introduced along with the concept of an online (virtual) community.
Growing security threats are expanded in the new syllabus and include viruses, worms, Trojan horse, spyware, as well as the umbrella term malware. New threats like phishing as well as the ability to recognise attempted phishing are introduced. Risks of online activity are introduced and parental control options are identified to promote safe computer use at home.
Features of new browser versions have been included to future-proof the syllabus including opening a webpage in a new tab and allowing/blocking pop-ups.
Following the launch of syllabus version 5, the ECDL Foundation has embarked on a programme to revise the current ECDL Advanced syllabi. The plan is for these syllabi to be launched next month during the annual ECDL Foundation Forum which this year is being organised in Vienna.
For more information about ECDL programmes, the ECDL Malta office may be contacted via e-mail info@ecdl.com.mt or phone number 2398 0132.