The ECDL-GIS program. The role of skill certification program to support the development of ESDI. M. Salvemini, G. Mattiozzi, L. Berardi, P. Di Donato AICA www.aicanet.it LABSITA www.labsita.org
AGENDA What is the paper about and background What is the ECDL and how is functioning The partners of the project The ECDL-GIS project details The EU dimension The path ahead 2
Some reference points The GI use is pervading the everyday life and many professional activities More and more services of PA are using GI Basic knowledge is only the start for vocational training, higher education and professional specialization ECDL = European Computer Driving License 3
References In EU the subject has been explored also within AGILE and EUGISES conferences (Kemp, Toppen, and others); EU projects have addressed and explored the issue, some are still running. Some educational and training activities are related (Unigis, National initiatives, etc.) 4
AICA ECDL-GIS : who is involved Not-for-profit organization, founded in 1961 Founder of IT certifications in Italy Italian chapter of ECDL Foundation LABSITA Others involved: Politecnico di Torino Politecnico di Milano University of Bologna, University of Siena ESRI Italia, Intergraph Italia Others interested: ESRI and Intergraph corporation CEMAGREF, France UPSAM Spain University of West Hungary University of the Federal Armed Forces, Germany University of Utrecht Van Hall Instituut, Netherlands 5
ICT European certification programs The characteristics. Analysis based on the labor market demands Jointly developed by teams of experts (3 nations) Different levels of certification (basic user, professional, specialized) Standard system : - Syllabus (requested competences) - Question and Test Base (tests) 6
The workforce in Italy in the ICT sector (*) ICT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES PROVIDERS 580.000 ICT FUNCTIONS IN USERS COMPANY 389.000 NET WORKERS 406.000 Professionals (1,375 mil.) HEAVY USERS 2.525.000 GENERIC USERS 6.700.000 Users (9,225 mil.) NO USERS (*) 2002 11.332.000 Total workforce 7 21.932.000
ECDL Core level The test is competency focused and sustain the driving license metaphor for the generic computer user It consists of 7 tests Concepts of Technology Using the Computer and Managing Files Word Processing Spreadsheets Database Presentation and Communication In Italy 2.700 Test Centers 850.000 registered students 350.000 certificated 8
ECDL Core level ECDL Certificate Skills Card 9
ECDL and ICDL around the world Currently available in 138 countries, in Europe, China, Australia, India, Saudi Arabia, Chile, etc. Translated into 32 languages 4.5 mil. registered students 2.0 mil. certificated (October 2004) 300,000 tests each month 10
Syllabus 11
ECDL Specialized Certification program: - available: - in progress: ECDL CAD Web publisher Image processing Multimedia 12
ECDL-GIS (European Computer Driving License - Geographic ) System of certifications of competences about the professional knowledge related to the basics of the computer science and its components used in the GI&GIS field. Levels : Base Advanced Professional 13
ECDL -GIS: candidates and users They who wish to demonstrate to have a robust knowledge of basic principles governing the GI techniques and their basic use through a specific software. They who wish to have evidence that the GIS users have certificated basic competences. 14
ECDL-GIS Base syllabus It is organized in 4 Modules Module 1: the basic knowledge of informatics and of GIS components. Categories : 7 Knowledge areas : 16 (e.g. main parts of comp., input and output devices, file mng., definitions, data sources and typology, etc. ) Knowledge items : 37 Tests : about 110 15
ECDL-GIS Base syllabus Module 2: cartographic representation and GI basics. Categories : 6 Knowledge areas : 15 (e.g. reference systems, coordinates, geometry, Italian cartography, EU cartography, digital cartography, metadata, etc.. ) Knowledge items : 40 Tests : about 120 16
ECDL-GIS Base syllabus Module 3: GIS basics Categories : 5 Knowledge areas : 13 (e.g. basic concepts, scale, modeling the reality, topology, spatial analysis, classification, etc.) Knowledge items : 40 Tests : about 120 17
ECDL-GIS Base syllabus Module 4: how to use a GIS. Requires the candidate to demonstrate the ability to use a GIS software. Under development in conjunction with ESRI and Intergraph. The candidate shall be able to accomplish everyday tasks associated with basic use of GIS commands. The module is using the homogeneity of knowledge areas and items necessary to drive a GIS software respecting the peculiarity of the commands. 18
Certification features Quality check, transparency, standard (syllabus), certificated test center, continuous checking (e.g. audit, etc.) Anonymous tests evaluation Vendor neutrality ( tests are independent, commands depend on sw.) Multilanguage 19
EU perspective ECDL-GIS as a facilitator for INSPIRE data and principles diffusion and better using ECDL-GIS as a common reference layer for EU GI ECDL-GIS for facilitating professional mobility and vocational training ECDL-GIS as basis for building scientific knowledge ( e.g. courses, MD, etc.) and specialized skills (e.g. sw training). 20
ECDL-GIS Base : agenda Start : July 2004 Launching and test centers set up : within the 2005 Pilot tests : within 2005 21