Extra Curricular

ECDL

St. Mary’s offers the Transition Year groups every year the opportunity to complete the starter pack in the European Certificate Driver Licence. The school has been accredited with being a tester centre with five members of staff holding the full ECDL qualification. The students get an introduction to the parts of the computer and how it works and then begin the courses which are assessed.

The benefits of ECDL are:

An innovative and tangible method of skills measurement and validation.
A highly effective training delivery model.
A flexible and accessible qualification that offers increased mobility to holders.
An internationally recognised qualification.
Enhanced career opportunities for holders.

An IT skills qualification for everyone.
A model for education and training in the Information Society.
Greater public awareness of the benefits of active participation in the Information Society.
Improved employee confidence.
A positive return on investment in IT training for an organisation.

There are 7 ECDL modules which are:
Module 1 - Concepts of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Module 2 - Using the Computer and Managing Files
Module 3 - Word Processing
Module 4 - Spreadsheets
Module 5 - Using Databases
Module 6 - Presentation
Module 7 - Web browsing and Communication

The students in Transition Year study the following modules:
Module 3 - Word Processing
Module 4 - Spreadsheets (Excel)
Module 6 - Presentation (Powerpoint)
Module 7 - Web Browsing and Communication

Each student learns the theory of the module before then practicing the theory using worksheets. The students then complete an online diagnostic test which gives them a sample of 70 questions before completing the Certificate exam.

The students received a Start certificate for the completion of the four modules but for those who do not complete all four they get a progress certificate.

For more information visit http://www.ics-skills.ie or http://www.ecdl.com/