Training: ICDL BASE – Computer Essentials – BM1

Computers and Devices

Module 1: ICT

• Define the term Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
• Identify different types of ICT services/uses like: Internet services, mobile technology, office productivity applications

Module 2: Hardware

• Define the term hardware. Identify the main types of computers like: desktops, laptops, tab- lets. Identify the main types of devices
• Define the terms processor, Random Access Memory (RAM), storage. Understand their impact on performance when using computers and devices
• Identify the main types of integrated and exter- nal equipment like: printers, screens, scanners, keyboards, mouse/trackpad, webcam, speakers, microphone, docking station
• Identify common input/output ports like: USB, HDMI

Module 3: Software and Licensing

• Define the term software and distinguish between the main types of software like: operating systems, applications. Know that software can be installed locally or available online
• Define the term operating system and identify some common operating systems for computers and devices
• Identify common examples of applications like: office productivity, communications, social networking, media, design, mobile applications
• Define the term End-User License Agreement (EULA). Recognise that software must be licensed before use
• Outline the types of software licenses: proprietary, open source, trial version, shareware, freeware

Module 4: Start Up, Shut Down

• Start a computer and log on securely using a user name and password
• Log off, shut down, restart a computer using an appropriate routine

Desktop, Icons, Settings

Module 1: Desktop and Icons

• Outline the purpose of the desktop and the taskbar
• Identify common icons like those representing: files, folders, applications, printers, drives, shortcuts/aliases, recycle bin/wastebasket/
• trash
• Select and move icons
• Create, rename, move, delete a shortcut/alias

Module 2: Using Windows

• Identify the different parts of a window: title bar, menu bar, toolbar, ribbon, status bar, scroll bar
• Open, collapse, expand, restore down, maximise, resize, move, close a window
• Switch between open windows

Module 3: Tools and Settings

• Use available help functions
• View the computer’s basic system information: operating system name and version number, installed RAM
• Change desktop configuration settings: date and time, volume settings, background, resolution
• Change, add, remove keyboard language. Change default language
• Shut down a non-responding application
• Install, uninstall an application
• Connect a device (USB flash drive, digital camera, media player) to a computer. Disconnect a device using an appropriate routine
• Capture a full screen, active window

Outputs

Module 1: Working with Text

• Open, close a word processing application. Open, close files
• Enter text into a document
• Copy, move text within a document, between open documents. Paste a screen capture into a document
• Save and name a document

Module 2: Printing

• Install, uninstall a printer. Print a test page
• Set the default printer from an installed printer list
• Print a document from a word processing application
• View, pause, restart, cancel a print job

File Management

Module 1: Introducing Files and Folders

• Understand how an operating system organises drives, folders, files in a hierarchical structure
• Navigate between drives, folders, sub-folders, files
• Display file, folder properties like: name, size, location
• Change view to display files and folders like: tiles, icons, list, details
• Identify common file types like: word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, portable document format (pdf), image, audio, video, compressed, executable files
• Open a file, folder, drive
• Recognise good practice in folder, file naming: use meaningful names for folders and files to help with searching and organisation
• Create a folder
• Rename a file, folder
• Search for files by properties: all or part of file name using wildcards if necessary, content, date modified
• View list of recently used files

Module 2: Organising Files and Folders

• Select individual, adjacent, non-adjacent files, folders
• Sort files in ascending, descending order by name, size, type, date modified
• Copy, move files, folders between folders, drives
• Delete files, folders to the recycle bin/wastebasket/trash and restore to original location

Module 3: Storage and Compression

• Empty the recycle bin/wastebasket/trash
• Identify the main types of storage media like: internal hard disk, external hard disk, network drive, CD, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, USB flash drive, memory card, online file storage
• Identify file size, folder size, storage capacity measurements like: KB, MB, GB, TB
• View available space on a storage device
• Understand the purpose of file, folder compression
• Compress files, folders
• Extract compressed files, folders to a location on a drive

Networks

Module 1: Network Concepts

• Define the term network. Outline the purpose of a network: to share, access data and devices securely
• Define the term Internet. Identify some of its main uses like: World Wide Web (WWW), VoIP, e-mail, IM
• Define the terms intranet, virtual private network (VPN) and identify their main uses
• Understand what transfer rate means. Under- stand how it is measured: bits per second (bps), kilobits per second (kbps), megabits per second (mbps), gigabits per second (gbps)
• Understand the concepts of downloading from, uploading to a network

Module 2: Network Access

• Identify the different options for connecting to the Internet like: phone line, mobile phone, cable, wi-fi, wi-max, satellite
• Define the term Internet Service Provider (ISP). Identify important considerations when selecting an internet subscription option like: upload speed, download speed and quota, cost
• Recognise the status of a wireless network: protected/secure, open
• Connect to a wireless network

Security and Well-Being

Module 1: Protecting Data and Devices

• Recognise good password policies like: create with adequate length, adequate character mix, do not share, change regularly
• Define the term firewall and outline its purpose
• Understand the purpose of regularly backing up data to a remote location
• Recognise the importance of regularly updating software like: anti-virus, application, operating system software

Module 2: Malware

• Understand the term malware. Identify different types of malware like: virus, worm, Trojan, spyware
• Be aware how malware can infect a computer or device
• Use anti-virus software to scan a computer

Module 3: Health and Green IT

• Recognise ways to help ensure a user’s wellbeing while using a computer or device like: take regular breaks, ensure appropriate lighting and posture
• Recognise computer and device energy saving practices: turning off, adjusting automatic shutdown, backlight, sleep mode settings
• Recognise that computers, devices, batteries, printer cartridges and paper should be recycled
• Identify some options available for enhancing accessibility like: voice recognition software, screen reader, screen magnifier, on-screen keyboard, high contrast