Most students registering for a degree with Unisa in 2001 will be required to complete the International Computer Drivers Licence (ICDL) to meet the requirements for their degree. At Unisa, the ICDL is known as module CEM101-A and demonstrates that the holder of the licence is computer literate.
The ICDL is an internationally recognised certification that shows that the holder understands the basic concepts of IT and is competent in the use of commonly used personal computer applications. The ICDL is based on seven modules (Basic Concepts of Information Technology, Using the Computer and Managing files, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases/Filing Systems, Presentation, and Information and Communication - which includes handling e-mail and web-browsing). In order to qualify for the ICDL, the student is provided with a Skills Log Book in which his / her progress is recorded in the form of stamps showing that each of the seven tests has been successfully completed.
Module CEM101-A is unique within Unisa in that students do not write a formal Unisa exam. Instead, they are tested on each of the seven ICDL modules, either at Unisa`s own ICDL-authorised testing centres (which are planned for Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban) or at any other ICDL-approved test centre anywhere in the world. Once they have received their ICDL certificate, a certified copy is submitted to Unisa so acknowledging that the student has passed CEM101-A.
The Computer Driving Licence originated in Europe (where it is called the European Computer Driving Licence, or ECDL) and has subsequently spread internationally to countries such as South Africa, Australia, and Canada. In the United States, the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) is presently planning the introduction of the ICDL. In South Africa, the ICDL is managed by the ICDL Foundation of South Africa, a subsidiary of the Computer Society of South Africa (CSSA) which is the third oldest computing organisation in the world and represents the interests of professionals and practitioners within the IT industry.
The benefit of CEM101-A to Unisa students is that not only do they complete one of the requirements of their degree, they also receive internationally-recognised certification showing that they are competent in the use of a personal computer. In addition, students in South Africa who are not physically close to a Unisa test centre, and students resident overseas, may take the tests at an ICDL-authorised test centre that is close to them at a time that suits them.
Students who register for CEM101-A receive study material covering the syllabus, a Skills Log Book to record their progress as they pass the seven tests, and the option of taking the seven tests at a Unisa computer centre. The module is also available to students who register with Unisa for non-degree purposes. Registration closes during February.
Unisa, the University of South Africa, is by far the largest university in South Africa and delivers both degree and non-degree courses using distance learning methodologies. It attracts students from all parts of the world.
More information can be obtained from the following web sites:
Unisa: http://osprey.unisa.ac.za
ICDL Foundation of South Africa: http://www.icdl.org.za
ECDL Foundation: http://www.ecdl.com.
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