ICDL training program on Macs

[Zaid Al Hilali]

If you know what is ICDL training program then you'd know you have to use Windows to fulfill its requirements.
ICDL teaches you how to use any application to do:

• General IT and communications
• Using a computer
• Word Processing
• Spreadsheet
• Presentation
• Database
• Browsing communicating through Intern

I had used macintosh and MS office for Mac to apply nearly all ICDL requirements for a number of students. However there is no ICDL book that uses Mac but only Windows.

Jamil Ezzo of regional ICDL GCC foundation announced that Zayed University will adapt ICDL syllabus for the Open Source packages. Well let's see if they will consider Mac OSX at some stage, sepcially Mr. Jamil did mention "Apple OS and Apple iWorks"!

The International Computer Driving Licence concept is a globally endorsed digital literacy standard funded by the European Commission with the initiative to raise the level of knowledge about Information Technology (IT) and increase the level of competence in using personal computers for all citizens of the world. The ICDL GCC Foundation was established to enforce and promote the concept of digital literacy in the GCC region.

“When we talk about digital literacy, we have to refer to digital competencies which enable an individual to be functional and confident in operating various applications of the information age. The world of technology is rapidly expanding and our mandate is not only to empower our candidates with the skills and the competency to use computers, but also to be aware of the ethical use of technology that cover subject like recycling, virus protection, use of social network software, digital devices, etc. Candidates are also exposed to the choices they have available on the market, and be able to use any commonly used software regardless of the environment or the vendor.

The Foundation continuously supports affordable and easy access to information technology which has proved to be a very efficient method to spread the use of computers and further involve people in the digital society. And in line with this objective, the Foundation also encourages its candidates to be aware of the choice they have for operating systems such as Apple OS, Linux, Solaris and Windows; and choices for common productivity software such as Microsoft Office, Google’s online Docs and Spreadsheet, Lotus SmartSuite, Apple iWork, Sun Microsystems StarOffice and its relevant Open Source Office which can be download for free from www.openoffice.org..
To promote the different alternatives available, ICDL has partnered with Zayed University and other technology and academic leaders to establish the Open Source Lab. Open ICDL is a perfect IT literacy program which has been embraced by Zayed University Open Source initiative.

“The ICDL syllabus always reflects the latest in the fast-paced changes taking place in the technology industry with vendor neutrality. The ICDL program has over 20 content providers that develop learning and testing material based on the ICDL syllabus. Several vendors opt to develop content specifically addressing the education market while others may choose to develop their content tailoring to the professional market or other markets. The ICDL learning material can be self-taught or used in a class environment and it is available in various formats including CBT, online and printed books.” Ezzo concluded.

[Magnus]

Cool, I sent them an email (info@icdlgcc.com) introducing EMUG and said we'd be willing to assist in any development of an ICDL for Mac.