ECDL

Discussion in 'Training & Development' started by drum_dude, May 4, 2005.

  1. drum_dude

    drum_dude Gigabyte Poster

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    Hi all,

    What do some of you think of the European Computer Driving License? My boss at the council said that they'll pay for me to do this if I'm interested! I know my certs overshadow this BCS invention big style, but then again I think I'll pick up some new things! A good primer for the MOUS possibly?

    Anyway, i'm keen cos it's free and may be a good feather in my user support cap...it may improve my support service's for council users (customers).

    I think I've just talked myself in to doing it now...lol :)

    Cheers

    Sacha
     
    Certifications: MCP, MCSA 2000 , N+, A+ ,ITIL V2, MCTS, MCITP Lync 2010 & MCSA 2008, Sonus SATP SBC 1k/2k
    WIP: Hopefully Skype for Business and some Exchange stuff...
  2. michael78

    michael78 Terabyte Poster

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    The ECDL isn't really what I'd called an IT cert it's more of an academic cert. The ECDL is really basic and gives you a basic level of using Office applications. If it's free I would say go for it as it shows you at least know your way around office.
     
    Certifications: A+ | Network+ | Security+ | MCP | MCDST | MCTS: Hyper-V | MCTS: AD | MCTS: Exchange 2007 | MCTS: Windows 7 | MCSA: 2003 | ITIL Foundation v3 | CCA: Xenapp 5.0 | MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7 | MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician on Windows 7
    WIP: Online SAN Overview, VCP in December 2011
  3. Jakamoko
    Honorary Member

    Jakamoko On the move again ...

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    I should really get my @SS into gear to do this as well soon. Let me know how you Guys get on :)
     
    Certifications: MCP, A+, Network+
    WIP: Clarity
  4. tripwire45
    Honorary Member

    tripwire45 Zettabyte Poster

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    I know I shouldn't, but I can't resist. Gav, just what gear can you put an @SS in to get optimal performance? First, second, third? :blink
     
    Certifications: A+ and Network+
  5. Phoenix
    Honorary Member

    Phoenix 53656e696f7220 4d6f64

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    see if you can talk your boss into funding the full MOUS
    the ECDL is designed for novices, people who have never touched a computer, its not designed for technically savvy people and you may be of better service to the users doing the MOUS rather than wasting your time on the ECDL

    not slating the ECDL for its intended audience, just saying its prob not for the technical savvy here :)
     
    Certifications: MCSE, MCITP, VCP
    WIP: > 0
  6. drum_dude

    drum_dude Gigabyte Poster

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    Working on it Phoenix, I don't think they fully understand what the MOUS is though! I was thinking that maybe if I get this ECDL that their pushing I can then talk them into the MOUS...from a support point of view! However, i'm still a NEWBIE there so I have to tread carefully...

    Cheers
     
    Certifications: MCP, MCSA 2000 , N+, A+ ,ITIL V2, MCTS, MCITP Lync 2010 & MCSA 2008, Sonus SATP SBC 1k/2k
    WIP: Hopefully Skype for Business and some Exchange stuff...
  7. Mitzs
    Honorary Member

    Mitzs Ducktape Goddess

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    I agree with Phoenix on this Drum. If you have an indepth knowledge of office and can get the Master Mos, this would benafit everyone.
     
    Certifications: Microcomputers and network specialist.
    WIP: Adobe DW, PS
  8. Jakamoko
    Honorary Member

    Jakamoko On the move again ...

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    Fair point Ryan, but let me clarify from my point of view.

    Yes, I have a reasonably sounds techinical knowledge from my previous certs and work experience, but I have never really fully had to use or support the Office suite on a day to day basis. As a result I fully admit to being less than competent with many aspects of it, and would therefore view the ECDL as a simple, cost-effective way of resolving this (albeit to an admittedly basic level).

    I know many take for granted using the full features of Office fairly regularly, but I really struggle with anything betyond the basics - I don't mind admitting to this. Thats just me.
     
    Certifications: MCP, A+, Network+
    WIP: Clarity
  9. michael78

    michael78 Terabyte Poster

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    Jakamoko I'm in the same boat as you I don't really support Office on a daily basis but the ECDL doesn't really give you any real help as a technician. It's really geared towards people who have never touched office it teaches things like saving a document and opening one up etc.
     
    Certifications: A+ | Network+ | Security+ | MCP | MCDST | MCTS: Hyper-V | MCTS: AD | MCTS: Exchange 2007 | MCTS: Windows 7 | MCSA: 2003 | ITIL Foundation v3 | CCA: Xenapp 5.0 | MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7 | MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician on Windows 7
    WIP: Online SAN Overview, VCP in December 2011
  10. Mitzs
    Honorary Member

    Mitzs Ducktape Goddess

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    Jak, I can show you the books I used in school and they take you step by step though it. I have the step by step books for 2003 but I like the Shelly Cashman series so much better and they are very easy to understand and they will take you from beginner to the level of Word and Excel experts so you can get the mos masters. Yes I'm pushing this one. If your gonna go for the cert, go for the one that says it all. :biggrin
     
    Certifications: Microcomputers and network specialist.
    WIP: Adobe DW, PS
  11. ant2005uk

    ant2005uk Byte Poster

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    From what ive heard its a very good cert to have, as it is an internationally recognised cert that shows you have basic computer skillls required for a vast majority of jobs (im not talking about just IT based work, but any job that involves the use of a computer) and employers do value you it particulary for office based jobs. I wouldnt take the full course myself as I feel confident I know it all ready, but have considered taking the exams just to get the certification, and to proove have those skills. It is proberbly better to have the certification than not, and besides its another thing to put on your cv :biggrin
     
  12. Hello World

    Hello World Nibble Poster

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    Ill probably start this monday, my college has little divisions of its college all around the city where you can study these little flexi courses that dont require tuition. Sad part is that the one closest to me is only open for about 2 hours a day, and its a good 20 min walk to get there... so sod that, ill go down the main college block and i can sit there all day and do it.

    On monday night if i do it ill tell you what its like.
     
    WIP: CCNA 1, IT Essentials 1(A+)
  13. JonnyMX

    JonnyMX Petabyte Poster

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    I flicked through the ECDL when I started my course as it was provided as a foundation. It is actually a really good course, but as the others have said, it really seems to be aimed at people who have to use a PC for work etc and aren't really familiar with it. There's a lot of creating and copying files and folders etc.
    I didn't do it in the end because I kind of knew most of it anyway.
    Not knocking it in any way though. Nice little starter as they say in the car business.
     
    Certifications: MCT, MCTS, i-Net+, CIW CI, Prince2, MSP, MCSD
  14. Twiggy

    Twiggy Bit Poster

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    Hi Drum_dude

    I'm nearing completion of my ECDL course. As I work within the NHS I too am doing this at no cost to me, and ordinarily I might not have considered doing it at all. I must stress that I am only a basic level user, as I have yet to pursue any advanced courses relating to IT, but even I have managed to pass 5 of the 7 sections with little or no revision/training.

    The course I am doing is provided on line, with lessons & quizzes, it also does a pre-assessment to guide you on what you might benefit most from revising. For those of you who feel you are at a level where you should be able to skip directly to the exams, I would imagine doing a course online is a much less tedious way of progressing towards your exams.

    What I have done is printed off the manuals for each section of ECDL, and flicked through them, and I will admit to having learnt a few things. Nothing major, but a few tips & shortcuts I wasn't aware of beforehand.

    Essentially, given how little stress I would imagine the course would create for you, it would be worthwhile pursuing the course, and gaining yet another cert to go with the rest!

    Twiggs
     
    Certifications: ECDL BCS1, NCFE Networking Essentials
    WIP: HNC in Computing
  15. Phoenix
    Honorary Member

    Phoenix 53656e696f7220 4d6f64

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    Indeed it is internationaly recognised, but this does not tell an IT manager your technically competant, it tells the Senior PA you know how to mail merge!
    this will not get you closer to a tech job, it will get you closer to a clerical job, its not that its beneficial for both sectors, its only really beneficial to the normal computer user sector

    lets not assume anything with the word computer in it is beneficial to us here folks!
    this is designed for Users, ya knwo, the ones that call us all day asking why thier shortcuts in outlook vanished, these are the ones that should be sitting the ECDL, not support people, most support people have the technical know how and common sense to look through the options pages if there really stumped on a setting, and most of you i assume have been using office for years!

    Im with mitz here, go the full MOUS if you want to be able to support office and not just use it!

    just my 2c
    :)
     
    Certifications: MCSE, MCITP, VCP
    WIP: > 0
  16. Modey

    Modey Terabyte Poster

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    I agree with what Phoenix says, but I will add that it can't hurt to have it on your CV. As he says though, it's not gonna help to get a support job as such.
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCP, MCDST, MCSA 2K3, MCTS, MOS, MTA, MCT, MCITP:EDST7, MCSA W7, Citrix CCA, ITIL Foundation
    WIP: Nada
  17. Pablo1888

    Pablo1888 Byte Poster

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    My job was also offering it for free. I was interested in doing it, but I spoke to the woman who was promoting it and explained to her that I had gained MOUS master certification. She told me that it wouldn't be worth my while doing it, as MOUS certification was far more superior to what the ECDL could offer.

    If you want it on your CV go for it mate, but have to say MOUS is probably the way to go in my opinion (for what it's worth).
     
    Certifications: MOUS Master, MCP 70-210, A+
    WIP: CCNA
  18. mufftak

    mufftak Nibble Poster

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    I’ve just finished it at work as well, managed to cram into about 7 weeks ( A couple of hours a week). It is pretty basic, but its good to brush up on a couple of the applications you don’t use very often (powerpoint).

    I got it free with work :D & it’s a good incentive for your users ,if you say you have gone through it………

    Also you can tag another unit on and get a BCS Level 2 Cert…........... can't hurt :biggrin

    Muff
     
    Certifications: ITIL 2011,MCSA 2008,MCSA 2003,CEH,Security+,A+,Net+,i-Net+,270,290,291,648,646

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