LCCI International Qualifications Level 2 Certificate in Practical ICT Skills Syllabus Effective from 1 May 2007 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 2 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 2 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 intermediate 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 progress to Level 3 Certificate in Practical ICT Skills. Level of English Required There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification. However, candidates should have achieved a level of skill and knowledge of the relevant application areas appropriate to preparation for a Level 2 qualification in Practical ICT Skills. It is recommended that candidates also have a standard of English equivalent to Level 2 on the LCCI IQ Language Levels Framework (Council of Europe C1 / Operational Proficiency) to meet the communication requirements for this qualification 1
Structure of the Qualification The Level 2 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 Functions and Formulae 5 Analysis of Data 6 Present More Complex Data 7 Check a Spreadsheet 8 Combine Information Unit 3 Database 1 File Handling 2 Database Design, Data Entry and Database Modification 3 Data Queries and Sorting 4 Database Reports 5 Formatting Data 6 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 70-80 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 ASSESSMENT Assessment Objectives The assessments enable candidates to demonstrate their ability at Level 2 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. 3
Assessment format The unit of Email, Internet and IT Security is assessed by an online test consisting of four practical tasks covering sending and receiving emails and searching the internet, and eleven knowledge based questions. The duration of the test is 45 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 1½ hours 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 Spreadsheets Create and format table from manuscript. Produce chart/ graph from data input and export to another application Create, edit and format 1-page document from mix of typescript and manuscript Create template from given data; includes functions and formulae Create 1- page document using Word template and combining information from another application Use template to produce 3 worksheets from given data; includes sorting and graphics Create and format display type document with columns Create new spreadsheet from previous data given; includes functions and formulae 2 files (Word, Excel or Power Point) 1 Word file containing small amount of text Database Create and format new table; fields include primary key, text, currency, yes/no Copy and amend table; delete and add records, add/delete fields, change field type Copy and amend table; look-up table, query, sort and hide fields Prepare landscape report from previous task; primary and secondary sort None Presentation Software Amend existing presentation; e.g. format slides, add/delete slides Make further amendments to existing presentation; e.g. format slides, add/ delete slides, template Make further amends to presentation; e.g. insert file, create speaker notes, format insert image Add existing presentation to new; transitions, animations, action buttons, etc.. 2 PowerPoint files, plus a other file (Excel, Word) 5
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. 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. 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, Credit, 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 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-10 100273723553 In Simple Steps ISBN -13 978-0273723554 Brilliant ITQ Nik Taylor Prentice Hall ISBN-10 013615780 ISBN-13 978-0136157588 Brilliant Office 2007 Prentice Hall ISBN-10 0136137059 ISBN-13 1036137054 Microsoft Office System Curtis Frye, ISBN-10 073562531X Step by Step 2 nd Edition Steve Lambert ISBN-13 9780735625310 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 Create, open, print and save files in appropriate directories and folders 1.2 Make copies of files 1.3 Rename files 1.4 Delete files 1.5 Create new folders 1.6 Move files between folders 2 Enter and Edit Text Candidates must be able to: 2.1 Enter and edit text including inserting and deleting text copying, pasting and moving text incorporating special characters and symbols 2.2 Insert a header to appear on each page of the document 2.3 Insert a footer to appear on each page of the document 2.4 Insert page breaks as appropriate 2.5 Work with templates Use an existing template Amend an existing template 8
3 Format Text and Documents Candidates must be able to: 3.1 Apply formatting to a word, line or paragraph and document including font style and size bold, underline, colour and italic bullets, borders, shading and numbering line spacing tabs margins 3.2 Apply existing styles to a word, line or paragraph 3.3 Apply column options for part of the document to the whole document 4 Combine Information Candidates must be able to: 4.1 Copy and paste information to a document from another type of software such as a spreadsheet presentation 5 Work with Tables Candidates must be able to: 5.1 Create and input data into a table 5.2 Apply formatting to the table 5.3 Modify column width and height 5.4 Insert a new column to a table 5.5 Delete a column from a table 6 Check Text Candidates must be able to: 6.1 Use proofreading techniques to check the accuracy of the text 6.2 Check that line endings, paragraphs and page breaks fall in appropriate places 6.3 Check consistency of headings and subheadings 9
Spreadsheets Syllabus Functions Items Covered 1 File Handling Candidates must be able to: 1.1 Create, open and save spreadsheets in appropriate directories and folders 1.2 Print a spreadsheet displaying formulae as necessary 1.3 Name sheets within a spreadsheet 1.4 Rename a worksheet 1.5 Insert additional sheets 1.6 Open multiple worksheets and move between them 2 Enter and Edit Data Candidates must be able to: 2.1 Enter and edit text and data into cells, including inserting into multiple cells deleting cell contents inserting/deleting rows/columns copying, pasting and moving using find and replace 2.2 Insert data in a header or footer 3 Format a Spreadsheet Candidates must be able to: 3.1 Apply formatting including the use of font style and size bold, underline and italic number options vertical and horizontal alignment borders and shading colour printing in landscape 3.2 Format cells for text wrap, cell merge and text orientation 10
4 Functions and Formulae Candidates must be able to: 4.1 Use formulae to add, subtract, multiply and divide calculate subtotals and totals 4.2 Adjust formulae to allow for additional rows/columns 4.3 Use formulae requiring the use of brackets 4.4 Incorporate absolute and relative cell references within formulae 4.5 Incorporate rational operators (=, <, >, <>, =<, =>) within formulae 4.6 Calculate percentages using formulae 4.7 Select and use functions to include statistical operators (sum, average, max, min, count) 4.8 Apply formulae to non-contiguous ranges of cells 5 Analysis of Data Candidates must be able to: 5.1 Carry out analysis of data. Including: sorting text and data into ascending/descending order sorting data in multiple columns into numeric order sorting data by multiple criteria 6 Present More Complex Data Candidates must be able to: 6.1 Generate pie charts and bar graphs and add titles, labels and legends 6.2 Edit charts and graphs (change scale, modify patterns and fonts) 6.3 Format headings, titles, legend and chart background 6.4 Change chart type 6.5 Move and resize chart 7 Check a Spreadsheet Candidates must be able to: 11
7.1 Check spreadsheet contents using the spellcheck facility 7.2 Check formulae by displaying row/column headings 7.3 Check that formatting is appropriate throughout the spreadsheet 7.4 Check the accuracy of spreadsheet results 8 Combine Information Candidates must be able to: 8.1 Combine defined ranges from two different spreadsheets to create a new spreadsheet 8.2 Link spreadsheets to automatically include information from another spreadsheet 8.3 Update links between spreadsheets 8.4 Incorporate an image or graphic in a spreadsheet 8.5 Export information from a spreadsheet into a word processed document 12
Database Syllabus Functions Items Covered 1 File Handling Candidates must be able to: 1.1 1.2 1.3 Open an existing database, amend and save any changes to the database, query or report Print a copy of a database, query and report using print options Create a new folder for a new database and save data in this new folder 2 Database Design, Data Candidates must be able to: Entry and Database Modification 2.1 Design and create a simple nonrelational database table based on field characteristics such as name, type, size and format 2.2 Structure the table s field properties as text, numeric, date, logic and set up primary key and look-up table 2.3 Create, delete and amend data and field properties in an existing single-table, nonrelational database 2.4 Rearrange field order in a table 2.5 Hide or show columns in a table and adjust column widths and row heights 3 Database Queries and Sorting Candidates must be able to: 3.1 Reorder data by sorting multiple fields 3.2 Create queries based on a single nonrelational database to retrieve information using a single criterion or multiple criteria 3.3 Add and remove fields in a query 13
4 Database Reports Candidates must be able to 4.1 Produce a report based on a query using a single criterion or multiple criteria 4.2 Modify a report 5 Formatting Data Candidates must be able to: 5.1 Select appropriate formats for data in tables, queries, forms and reports 5.2 When formatting forms and reports use appropriate tools within the application for report style, page layout, page size, page orientation, page numbering, headers and footers and margins 6 Checking Data Candidates must be able to: 6.1 Use automated facilities to check data and reports for accuracy and completeness 6.2 Check formatting and layouts of reports 14
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 or new file 1.3 Create a new presentation identifying presentation requirements 1.4 Print using various print operations (slides, handouts, notes) 2 Enter Information Candidates must be able to: 2.1 Add and delete slides 2.2 Insert and manipulate text, pictures, objects and lines 2.3 Insert objects produced using different software 2.4 Resize pictures, images or other objects 2.5 Create speaker notes 3 Format Slides Candidates must be able to: 3.1 Format slides using bullets, borders, shading, numbering and colours and ensure that the organisation s house style is adhered to 3.2 Select and apply background to the presentation and presentation templates 3.3 Adjust pictures, objects, fonts and line spacing 15
4 Slide Shows Candidates must be able to: 4.1 Produce a complete complex interactive slide show using at least 2 presentations which includes animations and transitions 4.2 Change the order of the slides within the presentation 4.3 Link information within your presentation using action buttons 5 Checking Presentations Candidates must be able to: 5.1 Check and make any necessary changes to images and other objects within the presentation 5.2 Proof read the presentation to check and amend the slides to ensure the finished presentation looks professional 16
Email, Internet and IT Security Syllabus Functions Items Covered 1 Using Email Candidates must be able to: 1.1 Send emails including reply to all, reply with history, forward, bcc, cc and attach files 1.2 Store attachments safely by taking action to reduce the risk of viruses 1.3 Compress and uncompress attachments sent and received 1.4 Archive email messages into appropriate folders 1.5 Change formats of emails e.g. rtf, html, plain text 1.6 Find and delete email 1.7 Setup an address book and select individuals/groups from address book 1.8 Set priority of email messages 1.9 Add email signature 1.10 Follow email netiquette (any rules/guidelines when sending/replying to emails) 1.11 Deal with emails intended to cause problems (spam/chain mail) 1.12 Describe the limits to the number/size of emails received and how to minimise difficulties in sending/receiving large emails 1.13 Within email software use other resources available (e.g. tasks, notes, calendar) 1.14 Describe how to choose and use appropriate methods of exchanging information, such as email, messaging, websites 17
2 Using the Internet Candidates must be able to: 2.1 Search for and select appropriate information from the internet 2.2 Choose most appropriate search engine for the information needed and save the results of useful searches 2.3 Carry out effective searches by using meta search engines, wild cards, AND or NOT 2.4 Download software (including software patches to fix security flaws) and take action to reduce the risk of viruses 2.5 Use Interactive Sites 3 Protecting IT Candidates must be able to: 3.1 Set password levels on data/software 3.2 Make backups of data as necessary 3.3 Describe how to avoid viruses and use antivirus software to protect applications 3.4 Describe the risks to data from people, such as viruses or unauthorised access from hardware/software not working properly (faults/error/loss) 3.5 Explain the importance and ways of controlling access to common hardware/software/storage media and preventing other people editing data 4 Laws and Guidelines Candidates must be able to: 4.1 Describe how IT activities are affected by laws and guidelines eg storing names and addresses, downloading images from the internet 18
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