- What is Ohio Computing Unlimited?
OCU is an initiative of the Ohio Board of Regents (OBR), through a project at the Ohio Learning Network, aimed at bettering the overall computing skills and knowledge of Ohioans. OBR has determined that three key areas of improvement would make Ohioans better prepared for higher education, and a more competitive workforce. Those areas are computing skills, reading and language skills, and math skills. OCU is addressing the computing skills priority. More about the Ohio IT Clearinghouse.
The International Computer Driving License - ICDL - is a certificate that can be acquired on completion of seven tests - one for each of the seven fundamental components of basic computing skills. ICDL is recognized around the world by educational institutions and employers as a symbol of accomplishment and capability in computing - a strategic concern in almost every aspect of working life today.
- Where does ICDL come from?
ICDL emerged from an effort in the early-mid 1990's to define what constitutes adequate basic computing skills for for the 21st century. The sponsoring body (CEPIS) is an international consortium of professional computing societies. They created an open process, broadly participated in by all the stakeholders in a capable workforce, and developed the seven categories of knowledge and the detailed syllabus that guides educators. Today, ICDL is undergoing constant review by a foundation - the ECDL-F - set up expressly to manage the body of knowledge and educational activities required to support ICDL around the world.
- Why does Ohio care about an international standard, rather than a US standard?
First, there is no US standard, and there are not even US guidelines that are as fully developed, tested, validated and implemented as the ICDL program.
Second, Ohio industry now competes - in a very real way - on the international market today, not just the US market. As more employers enter the state from outside US borders - such as Honda and Siemens - they bring with them a respect for international standards and a recognition of the attitude that goes with a state which supports competition on the world stage.
Third, basic computing skills are a universal concern and need - and the dynamics of the computing industry have leveled many of the differences that might otherwise appear between cultures. So a computer user in Akron must deal with the same machines, operating systems and software applications as the computer operator in Accra. In this limited regard, where the tools are the same - only the skill of the workforce can become a competitive edge for Ohio.
- How long does it take to acquire the ICDL?
It depends on the individual. From the day you register to become a candidate for the ICDL, you have two full years to complete the testing necessary to acquire the ICDL certificate. If you are just beginning to use and learn about computers, it will take more time than if you have used several applications - such as a word processor and a presentation program - and are already familiar with them. The Ohio ICDL package includes some diagnostic tests to help you evaluate where your strengths and weaknesses lie. And also contains content that can serve either as a brief refresher (for more experienced users) or a beginning-to-end self-study program for the stark beginner.
- What are ICDL's academic credentials, recommendations?
Here are some of the connections ICDL offers for academics and other validations:
- Congruent with Unit I (Information Technology Basics) of the itWORKS.OHIO career field technical content standards (informal crosswalk)
- Closely parallel to Ohio Technology Academic Content Standards
- ISTE NETS Aligned
- CompTIA – listed on the Tech Career Compass
- Approved by the Veterans Administration as an educational, assessment, and certification program for veterans (VR&E)
- DANTES-Approved by the Dept of Defense for all active military personnel
- Veteran’s Administration listed as "Corporate Winner"
- Approved by workforce development programs in IL, MI, WI & PA
- Course credit offered by Franklin University (4 hours), other OH schools considering it
Two key reasons stand out: 1) ICDL is an open process and has been validated and modified via a transparent process, and 2) ICDL is not selling training materials or courseware - existing courses and educational materials can be used easily to reach the knowledge goals the ICDL defines as "basic computing skills."
Here are some further reasons ICDL is made available by the Ohio Computing Unlimited initiative:
- Developed by non-profit consortium of professional associations, not by a single author or a commercial enterprise
- Development and validation process has high transparency
- Detailed syllabus, published openly
- Tests formally validated through known, professional processes
- Outline covers key applications, with a finite definition of “basic computing skills”
- Testing is secured, records kept securely in perpetuity
- Testing Centers must meet standards, for space, security, proctoring
- At low Ohio price, very cost-effective
- No commitment to specific training group, strategy, or materials
- Enables Ohio schools to package & extend existing programs toward an internationally-accepted goal
- Provides consumers (students, workers, employers) with an easy-to-understand definition of “basic computing skills” – plus a way to document them, once gained
- Broadly accepted world-wide: 140 countries, 6,000,000 candidates
- Aligned with highly respected US evaluators: ISTE, CompTIA
- Aligned with itWORKS Ohio and Ohio Academic Content Standards for Technology
- Syllabus converges with on-going curricula and continuing education programming occurring at Ohio colleges and universities
- Meets OBR objective for a standard threshold for computing skills for higher education
- Forthcoming program in “information literacy” offer Ohio education a full strategy for incoming students
- Testimonials from implementers in other locations with positive impact on workforce education and development
- How will Microsoft's new Vista Windows operating system impact the ICDL program?
Two factors will impact the next update of ICDL to accommodate Microsoft's new Vista operating system. One is the difference in interface design, the other is the speed of adoption.
New interface design is a much touted feature of the new operating system and the new version of Office applications that will be released at the same time. The new design scheme does include some substantial changes in the way functions are controlled, and the way they are grouped together. If these changes prove popular, the program developers at ICDL will move to present these new changes as rapidly as practicable. They will be challenged - when that happens - to represent the currently established methods with the new ones. But by that time, employers and other influential users will have had input to refining those new schemes, and they will likely be somewhat different still, than those introduced at the launch of the products in early 2007.
The speed of adoption will be controlled by a number of factors. First, the application software will contain switches that enable users to select the traditional interface over the new design. The number of experienced users who try the new design, then switch to the old - will be a strong indicator of the success of the new designs, and therefore a strong consideration in planning training for new users.
Even more critical to the speed of adoption is the likely need for new computers - upgraded hardware with enough power to allow Vista run properly. This change represents a huge expense that many enterprises will be able to address only gradually over the next several years. the demand for more powerful hardware has always accompanied new, powerful software, but business and other enterprises must evaluate how much benefit the new system will bring versus the cost of the upgrade. It can be a very slow process. As late as 2004, one survey indicated that as many as 30% of businesses in the US were still running Windows 95.
In the meantime, the basic skills and strategies demonstrated by the current version of the ICDL program will still provide the background to enable any consumer of basic computer applications to succeed at a higher rate than without some kind of active training. And just as it is said that this experience will enable a user to adapt more quickly to any new application - the same is true of new versions of standard applications.
- Is ICDL an "information literacy" program?
Information literacy can be generally described as the ability to interpret the information retrieved from any medium, including the Internet. How can one prioritize the reliability of information from various sources? How can one determine the credibility of a particular source or class of sources? How can one determine the origin of information, or the bias of a reporter, or the accuracy of writing, in order to get the most effective information possible?
The spirit of the metaphor established by ICDL - the computer "driving license" - is that there is a base of knowledge required to operate a computer much like there is a base of knowledge required to operate car. It's the understanding of what makes the car/computer work, what buttons or levers make it move in a particular way or performa a particular function.
Similarly, "information literacy" is rather like learning to read the maps that help you figure out how to get where you are going. The two sets of skills rely on one another - but they are slightly different.
At this point, ICDL is strictly an operating certification program. They expect to add a module that deals with "information literacy" soon. In the meantime, Many community colleges and universities are offering courses, and the Educational Testing Service is developing an assessment related to the subject.
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