LCCI International Qualifications Level 1 Certificate in Practical ICT Skills Syllabus Effective from 2001 For further information contact us: Tel. +44 (0) 8707 202909 Email. enquiries@ediplc.com www.lcci.org.uk
INTRODUCTION EDI is a leading international awarding body that was formed through the merger of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations Board (LCCI) and GOAL, a leading online assessment provider. EDI now delivers LCCI International qualifications (LCCI IQ) through a network of over 5000 registered centres in more than 120 countries worldwide. Our range of business-related qualifications is trusted and valued by employers worldwide and recognised by universities and professional bodies. Level 1 Certificate in Practical ICT Skills Aims The aims of this qualification are to enable candidates to develop their understanding and practical ability across the key Level 1 areas of: Word Processing Spreadsheets Database Presentation Software Email, Internet and IT Security Target Candidates and Candidate Progression This qualification is designed for candidates who wish to: develop basic practical ICT skills and apply these skills in a modern business context progress a career and need appropriate ICT skills to support that career return to work and need to update their ICT skills. Candidates may commence with Level 1, and then successfully progress through Level 2 to the Level 3 Certificate in Practical ICT Skills. Level of English Required There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification. However, it is recommended that candidates have a standard of English equivalent to Level 1 on the LCCI IQ Language Levels Framework (Council of Europe A2 / Waystage) to meet the communication requirements for this qualification. - 1 -
Structure of the Qualification The Level 1 Certificate in Practical ICT Skills consists of the following five units and topics: Unit 1 Word Processing 1 File Handling 2 Enter and Edit Text 3 Format Text and Documents 4 Combine Information 5 Work with Tables 6 Check Text Unit 2 Spreadsheets 1 File Handling 2 Enter and Edit Data 3 Format a Spreadsheet 4 Formulae and Calculations 5 Analysis of Data 6 Present Simple Data 7 Check a Spreadsheet Unit 3 Database 1 File Handling 2 Database Design, Data Entry and Database Modification 3 Data Queries and Sorting 4 Database Reports 5 Checking Data - 2 -
Unit 4 Presentation Software 1 File Handling and Printing 2 Enter Information 3 Format Slides 4 Slide Shows 5 Checking Presentations Unit 5 Email, Internet and IT Security 1 Using email 2 Using the Internet 3 Protecting IT 4 Laws and Guidelines Candidates must complete a minimum of 2 units to be awarded the full Level 1 Certificate in Practical ICT Skills. Guided Learning Hours EDI recommends that 60-70 Guided Learning Hours (GLHs) provide a suitable course duration for an average candidate at this level. This figure includes direct contact hours as well as other time when candidates work is being supervised by teachers. Ultimately, however, it is the responsibility of training centres to determine the appropriate course duration based on their candidates ability and level of existing knowledge. EDI experience indicates that the number of GLHs can vary significantly from one training centre to another. Individual centres will decide whether their students will benefit more from an intensive course or from a course lasting for an academic year. - 3 -
ASSESSMENT Assessment Objectives The assessments enable candidates to demonstrate their ability at Level 1 to: use competently the applications of Word Processing; Spreadsheets; Database and Presentation Software and apply these skills to produce accurate, business-like work carry out email and internet-based tasks and give consideration to IT security within a business context. Coverage of Syllabus Topics in Assessment Each unit assessment will aim to cover the syllabus learning outcomes identified. However, each assignment or test cannot assess all of the listed learning outcomes and therefore candidates should expect any outcome to appear in an assignment or test. Assessment Format The unit of Email, Internet and IT Security is assessed by an online test consisting of two practical tasks covering sending and receiving emails and searching the internet, and eight knowledge based questions. The duration of the test is 30 minutes. The units of Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Database and Presentation Software are assessed via the completion of a practical assignment. Each assignment consists of 4 tasks requiring learners to demonstrate their practical skills in the specific application. The duration of each assignment is 1 hour and assignments must be completed using the appropriate Microsoft software. The assignments and online test are available On Demand. Answer Format Online Test As the online test consists of a mixture of practical tasks and knowledge-based objective questions, how candidates respond to each item will depend on its nature. Full instructions will be given in the test to indicate how to respond to the different test items. Additionally, sample test items are provided to give candidates exposure to the nature of the test items. Sample test items can be viewed by clicking on the link on the qualification page of the LCCI IQ website (www.lcci.org.uk ) Assignments Each assignment comprises of four tasks based on a common theme. Each task will cover a number of syllabus functions. These may vary from assignment to assignment, but the table below gives an indication of how the syllabus outcomes may be covered across tasks. A number of EDI produced electronic files will be supplied as a part of the assignments for candidates to amend; these files will be clearly indicated on the assignments. The type of file to be provided for each application is also listed in the table below. - 4 -
APPLICATION TASK FORMATS FILE SUPPLIED Word Processing Enter and edit simple text from typescript (Approx. 150 words) Edit and format existing 2- page document with approx 50 words added. Create, edit and format a 1-page document with table and image. Amend simple text entry task to create new document; format and edit 1 Word file containing main text for 2 page document. (Approx. 400 words) Spreadsheets Produce chart/ graph from figures provided in file Create and format a new spreadsheet Amend spreadsheet; add columns/ rows and formulae Amend spreadsheet; add columns/rows, formulae and sort data 1 Excel file containing figures for generation of chart Database Complete data entry form provided and create new table; includes text, numbers, currency fields Copy and amend table: delete records, add records; rearrange field order Prepare query based on one criterion; sort records Prepare file in report format; format and sort report 1 Access file containing Data Entry Form Presentation Software Amend existing presentation; e.g. format slides, add/delete slides Make further amendments to existing presentation; e.g. format slides, insert graphics Create and format a new presentation; maximum 5 slides Amend presentation; e.g. format slides, image rotation etc. 1 PowerPoint file containing up to 5 slides PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT Online Test The test will be marked automatically by EDI s testing system and results and feedback are available within 24 hours of the test. Further information is supplied in the Practical ICT Skills Qualifications Support Pack. Assignments After completion, the assignments are marked by the centre and moderated externally by EDI. The centre marker must upload the completed assignments to the EDI Internet Portal (www.ediplc.com/pictapplications) and mark these against the Marking and Grading Scheme provided in the Support Pack. Tutor s Marking Guides as well as Worked Files are provided for each assignment to support marking and grading. The marks incurred and their justification need to be recorded on an electronic form on the Internet Portal. Centres should upload all assignments and complete all marking in an order, within one week of the assignment date. - 5 -
Assignments must be uploaded prior to marking being completed but marking does not need to take place at the same time that assignments are uploaded. Complete guidance on how to upload and record marks on the Internet Portal is available in the Support Pack. When the centre marking is complete for all candidates within a registration order, EDI will then moderate this marking. Moderation may lead to an adjustment to the final result. The EDI Moderator will complete a Moderator s Report which will be made available to the centre through the website portal. Delivering the Assessments Online Test The test will be delivered online via the internet after candidates have been registered with EDI. Further information on the delivery procedures for the online test is provided in the Support Pack. Assignments All assignments are supplied by EDI. EDI will allocate an assignment version for each unit to all candidates within an order once they have been registered. The assignment, along with any associated/required files, will be made available electronically to the centre. The centre must save the assignment in a secure location, print out copies of the candidate s copy of the assignment and make this available to each candidate for the duration of the assignment. Associated/required files must be made available to the candidate electronically for the duration of the assignment. Candidates must complete the assignment using the appropriate software, within the specified time and under supervised conditions. Candidates will be required to save their work using set filenames. At the end of the assessment period, all of the candidates copies of the assignment paper must be collected in by the centre and destroyed. After completion, the centre will need to upload these files to the Internet Portal: www.ediplc.com/pictapplications. Further information on the delivery of the assignments is provided in the Support Pack. Mark Allocation The Email, Internet and IT Security unit is graded Pass or Fail according to the percentage of the total marks received on the online test. The passing mark is 50%. The units of Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Database and Presentation Software are graded Distinction, Merit, Pass or Fail according to the number of errors incurred in the unit assignment: Distinction - up to 2 minor errors (keyboarding errors) Merit - 1-6 errors (unless distinction awarded) Pass - 7-12 errors Fail - 13+ errors or any of the immediate fail errors (Please see the Grading and Marking Scheme for complete guidance on error identification) - 6 -
Certification A Unit Certificate for Practical ICT Skills is awarded to candidates who achieve a Pass, Merit or Distinction in any one of the five units. A full Certificate for Practical ICT Skills is awarded to candidates who achieve a Pass, Merit or Distinction in a minimum of any two of the five units. Certificates will be sent to centres within a maximum of 6 weeks from the completion of marking of candidates work on the internet portal or from the completion of the online test by the candidate. Recommended Reading List and Support Material READING LIST Title Authors(s) Publisher ISBN Code Microsoft Office 2007 Gregg Holden Prentice Hall ISBN-10100273723553 In Simple Steps ISBN -13978-0273723554 Brilliant ITQ Nik Taylor Prentice Hall ISBN-10 013615780 ISBN-13 978-013615788 Brilliant Office 2007 Prentice Hall ISBN-10 0136137059 ISBN-13 1036137054 Microsoft Office System Curtis Frye ISBN-10073562531X Step by Step 2 nd Edition Steve Lambert ISBN-139780735625310 Joan Preppernau Joyce Cox Support Material Model answers and past question papers are available from the LCCI website www.lcci.org.uk How to Offer this Qualification To offer this qualification you must be an LCCI IQ registered examination centre. To gain centre approval please contact Customer Support on 08700 818008 between the hours of 0830 and 1700 (GMT) Monday to Friday or by email on centresupport@ediplc.com Alternatively you may contact your regional LCCI Office or Co-ordinating Authority. - 7 -
Word Processing Syllabus Functions Items Covered 1 File Handling Candidates must be able to: 1.1 Open an existing file 1.2 Save a document as an existing file 1.3 Create a new file 1.4 Save a document as a new file 1.5 Print a single copy of a document using basic print options 2 Enter and Edit Text Candidates must be able to: 2.1 Enter text from simple typescript or clear manuscript, including use of default margins and layout into an existing template 2.2 Insert and delete text 2.3 Insert a new paragraph 2.4 Insert the current date and time 2.5 Insert page numbers 2.6 Copy and move text within a document and between open documents 2.7 Use find and replace 3 Format Text and Documents Candidates must be able to: 3.1 Modify font style and size 3.2 Apply bold, underline, colour and italic formatting to text 3.3 Modify document using bullets, borders, shading, numbering 3.4 Change line spacing in a section of text or an entire document - 8 -
3.5 Use tab and indents in a section of text or entire document (from left and right margins) 3.6 Amend left and right margins to specified measurements 3.7 Align text including justify text left or right alignment 4 Combine Information Candidates must be able to: 4.1 Insert an image into a document 4.2 Position an image 4.3 Resize an image 5 Work with Tables Candidates must be able to: 5.1 Create a simple table of up to 3 columns 5.2 Input text and numeric information 5.3 Apply formatting to the table 6 Check Text Candidates must be able to: 6.1 Use spellcheck to check the accuracy of a document - 9 -
Spreadsheets Syllabus Functions Items Covered 1 File Handling Candidates must be able to: 1.1 Open an existing spreadsheet file 1.2 Save a spreadsheet as an existing file 1.3 Create a new spreadsheet 1.4 1.5 Save a spreadsheet as a new file Name sheets within a spreadsheet 1.6 Print a single copy of a spreadsheet using basic print options 1.7 Print formulae on a printout 2 Enter and Edit Data Candidates must be able to: 2.1 Enter text and numeric data into single cells 2.2 Enter data using the auto-fill feature 2.3 Insert date and time into a cell 2.4 Clear cell contents 2.5 Insert and delete rows and columns 2.6 Copy data within a spreadsheet 2.7 Move data within a spreadsheet 2.8 Use find and replace to modify cell contents 3 Format a Spreadsheet Candidates must be able to: 3.1 Modify font style and size 3.2 Apply bold, underline and italic to cell contents 3.3 Format cells to display number options, i.e. currency, decimal places, commas to indicate thousands - 10 -
3.4 Align data vertically and horizontally within cells 3.5 Apply borders and shading to selected cells 3.6 Modify column height and width 3.7 Set print range and print in landscape or portrait orientation 4 Formulae and Calculations Candidates must be able to: 4.1 Enter formulae to add, subtract, multiply and divide numeric data 4.2 Calculate subtotals and totals using formulae 4.3 Calculate subtotals and totals using the auto-fill tool 4.4 Adjust formulae to allow for inserted or additional rows/columns 5 Analysis of Data Candidates must be able to: 5.1 Carry out basic analysis of simple data. Including: sorting a cell range containing text into ascending or descending alphabetical order sorting a cell range containing numeric data into ascending or descending order 6 Present Simple Data Candidates must be able to: 6.1 Generate a simple pie chart or bar graph to represent given data 6.2 Add titles, labels and legends to a chart 7 Check a Spreadsheet Candidates must be able to: 7.1 Use the spellcheck facility to check text entry 7.2 Check that accurate data has been entered - 11 -
Database Syllabus Functions Items Covered 1 File Handling Candidates must be able to: 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Open an existing database Save changes to an existing database Create a new database, query and report Save changes to a new database, query and report Print a copy of a database, query and report using basic print options 2 Database Design, Data Entry and Database Modification Candidates must be able to: 2.1 Input data by using a pre-defined data entry form or screen 2.2 Enter data into an existing table 2.3 Add records to, or delete records from, an existing database 2.4 Amend data and fields in an existing table 2.5 Create a simple database table with a primary key field 2.6 2.7 Identify fields as text, number or date fields Navigate through the records of the database - 12 -
3 Data Queries and Sorting Candidates must be able to: 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Create a simple query using a single criterion Show all fields of records that meet specified criterion Show selected fields of records that meet specified criterion Sort records alphabetically using the sort function Sort records numerically in ascending or descending order using the sort function 4 Database Reports Database Reports Candidates must be able to: 4.1 Produce a predefined report from an existing database to meet user requirements 5 Checking Data Checking Data Candidates must be able to: 5.1 Check data for accuracy and completeness including using a spellchecker - 13 -
Presentation Software Syllabus Functions Items Covered 1 File Handling and Printing Candidates must be able to: 1.1 Open an existing file 1.2 Save a presentation as an existing file 1.3 Create a new presentation 1.4 Save a presentation as a new file 1.5 Print a copy of the presentation using basic print operations and one copy of the handouts 2 Enter Information Candidates must be able to: 2.1 Add and delete slides 2.2 Insert text and pictures 2.3 Manipulate text and pictures 2.4 Add simple shapes to a presentation using the built-in library of shapes (eg lines, basic shapes, block arrows, connectors, flowcharts, banners) 2.5 Manipulate the size and orientation of shapes 3 Format Slides Candidates must be able to: 3.1 Modify slides using borders, shading, and colours 3.2 Apply background to the presentation 3.3 Adjust colour of shapes 3.4 Align text including bullets, numbering, font size and line spacing - 14 -
4 Slide Shows Candidates must be able to: 4.1 Produce a complete slide show of at least 4 slides 4.2 Change the order of slides within a presentation 5 Checking Presentations Candidates must be able to: 5.1 Correct errors by using the spell check and grammar check and make any necessary corrections 5.2 Check and make any necessary changes to images and other objects within the presentation - 15 -
Email, Internet and IT Security Syllabus Functions Items Covered 1 Using Email Candidates must be able to: 1.1 Apply basic formatting to emails such as font styles, colour and bullets 1.2 Receive and reply to emails including forward, reply to all and reply with history 1.3 Save attachments securely to appropriate places 1.4 Print emails 1.5 Delete received emails 1.6 Find emails 1.7 Send a link to an internet page via an email 1.8 Maintain and recall addresses from an address book 1.9 Describe how some users may have difficulty in sending/receiving emails with attachments 1.10 State what to do about emails received from unknown users 1.11 Follow email netiquette (any rules/guidelines when sending/replying to emails) 2 Using the Internet Candidates must be able to: 2.1 Search for and select appropriate information from the internet 2.2 Use bookmarks and favourites to make finding information easier 2.3 Save the results of useful searches 2.4 Print information from the internet - 16 -
3 Protecting IT Candidates must be able to: 3.1 Use a login ID and password to access a computer system 3.2 Identify why it is important to control access to a computer system 3.3 Describe ways of controlling access to hardware 3.4 Explain how to back up personal data and software securely following guidelines 3.5 Explain what viruses are and problems they can cause 3.6 Identify how viruses can be spread through opening attachments to emails or downloading documents from the internet 3.7 Identify how using anti-virus software can protect applications 3.8 Identify the risks to data from unauthorised access 3.9 Identify the risks to data if hardware or software does not work properly (such as loss of data or errors in data) 3.10 Understand where/when to seek advice from IT Support 4 Laws and Guidelines Candidates must be able to: 4.1 Describe what laws and guidelines affect day-to-day use of IT (such as data protection, equal opportunities, disability, health and safety, copyright) 17
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