ICDL - International Computer Driving License

[NAP]

When I posted my degree plan for Excelsior College on this forum, I was reminded that Excelsior awards 7 credits for the ICDL (International Computer Driving License). It looks like very practical computer skills – word processing, spreadsheets, databases, etc. (It has only taken me several months to figure out that this isn’t a special European driving test!)

ICDL-US: Computer Skills for Life

I have this website but I did not find:

What is the cost per credit?

Can I just get one credit at a time, as needed?

How is the information learned (through their website or through books, etc.)?

How are any tests administered (online or only certain times a year)?

Are they considered duplicative credit of CLEP or DANTES?

Has anyone done this or looked into it for themselves? If so, any information would be very helpful.

Thank you!

[barcotta]

When I posted my degree plan for Excelsior College on this forum, I was reminded that Excelsior awards 7 credits for the ICDL (International Computer Driving License). It looks like very practical computer skills – word processing, spreadsheets, databases, etc. (It has only taken me several months to figure out that this isn’t a special European driving test!)

ICDL-US: Computer Skills for Life

I have this website but I did not find:

What is the cost per credit?

Can I just get one credit at a time, as needed?

How is the information learned (through their website or through books, etc.)?

How are any tests administered (online or only certain times a year)?

Are they considered duplicative credit of CLEP or DANTES?

Has anyone done this or looked into it for themselves? If so, any information would be very helpful.

Thank you!

I tried mightily to figure this out when I first put together my degree plan. My vague recollection is that I endured several unreturned messages and, finally, reached someone who offered the exams or whatever they are--but was mostly interested in signing me up to take some of their courses which, of course, was never the point.

What I recall very clearly is that I could have easily passed 6 CLEP exams with the amount of time I wasted chasing that red herring. OK--that's an exaggeration--but you would be better off preparing for one of the six credit CLEPS (or two-three credit CLEPS) and getting six sure-fire credits for which you can begin studying immediately. If you decide to look into this further anyway, please report back and let us know if you have any more luck than I did.

[NAP]

I spent a few more minutes searching the web and this is what I was able to find so far:

Cost – This is still unclear but it may be as little as $250.

Training – The information is taught at training centers, through CD, or via the internet. They expect each module to take about 30 hours to learn. There are 7 modules. Working through the modules is not required before taking the tests.

Testing – The tests are given at training/testing centers by appointment. Apparently my local YMCA is a test center. Each test has a time limit of 45 minutes.

I found this information at various websites, but this site was particularly useful:

ICDL US - How does it work?

Thank you so much Michael (barcotta) for sharing your experience and advice with me. I think I will ask about it at my local YMCA and check the community college, too. If that does not work out, I will heed your advice and not waste any more time on it.

I’ll let you know what happens.

If anyone else has done this route, please share.

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Michael (barcotta) - In case you did not see this in my other post yesterday, I wanted to thank you for posting your transcript and diploma. I put a copy of your diploma in the front of my notebook. It is always an inspiration to me as I go through this process! Thank you very much!

[barcotta]

Your welcome! You already have gotten WAY further than I did on this ICDL thing. I recognized that first web site you posted and I believe that's where I got the number I was trying to reach. I also recall sending some emails I believe. In any event, the unit descriptions make this all sound pretty easy so if your local YMCA will simply give you the test then, providing it's affordable, you should definitely go for it. I would love for people to be able to add this as well as the IAAP certifications that mongoose found to their list of EC credit sources.

[NAP]

Okay, I sent an e-mail to the YMCA, so we’ll see what happens. The community college website does not say anything about it.

I am going to need 4 credits to finish an associate degree next year. I am considering the computer CLEP and/or 2 computer DSSTs and/or ICDL. Maybe I could do all of them (if they don’t duplicate each other), since it probably would not hurt to have the extra credits to put toward a bachelor’s degree. (I had been considering taking the computer science GRE, but I like the practical application of the ICDL, so I may do that “instead”.)

I would need the training for the ICDL, so I am glad to see that it can be done through CD or internet.

I took 2 continuing education courses for Excel and I really enjoyed learning so much about it. I hope this will be similar.

I’ll keep you updated.

[NAP]

I received a reply to my e-mail.

My local YMCA is a testing center for ICDL. (I did not find this through the website. I used google and searched ICDL training centers and my state and got a list that is used by a special group.)

The official website will be changing to ICDL US as of Oct 5th, 2009.

On the website, I found a syllabus:

ICDL US - ICDL Syllabus

and sample tests:

European Computer Driving Licence Foundation - Sample Tests

It says you need a skills card and access code from the testing center to use the online learning materials.

I sent another e-mail about that with a few more questions.

Right now, I am leaning towards using the CLEP and DSSTs to finish my associate degree. Then I can pursue this later.

[EI2HCB]

I'm currently waiting to seek if Excelsior with process my ECDL which is the European Version as ICDL credits. I'm having issues with them accepting the documentation from Ireland as genuine. I'll update as soon as I have more information. I took the ECDL course in Ireland when I didn't undestand anything about computers, I'll update once I know more

[EI2HCB]

Still trying to pull teeth at Excelsior regarding ECDL the finally accepted the transcript 30 days after it arrived from Dublin and then was rejected and then accepted after countless times on the phone. Now we'll see how many credits they'll award. It goes to the "advisor" for consideration this week. Seems that ECDL in Dublin aren't familiar with transcript procedure in the United States although the ECDL was also evaluated be ECE so they should have accepted it on either account. Meanwhile the clock ticks.

[EI2HCB]

Update Just off the phone with Excelsior College again regarding the ICDL/ECDL
Preliminary reviews detail the following

ECDL (European Computer Drivers License) ICS SKILLS

PRESENTATIONS 1.0 L
CERT - DATABASES 1
CERT - COMPUTER USE AND FILE MANAGEMENT 1.0 L
BASIC CONCEPTS OF IT 1.0 L
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION 1.0 L

M3 and M4 were considered duplicates so no credit awarded as my FETAC 6 courses carry more credit.

So after almost seven weeks pushing and pulling ECDL translates into seven lower level credits at Excelsior which is worth doing the test if you haven't already done it and don't have other computer based classes.