Commonwealth Computer Navigator's Certificate/Milestone 3/Curriculum mapping/Module 2 mapping

Module 2: mapping
Use the ECDL syllabus V4.0 document for the detailed explanation of the knowledge requirements for each knowledge area listed below. The mapping information below is taken directly from ECDL Syllabus Version 4.0.

Under each syllabus item please list and create links to the materials within the Open ICDL content or indicate if there is a 'gap'.

Module 2 Using the Computer and Managing Files requires the candidate to demonstrate knowledge and competence in using the common functions of a personal computer and its operating system. The candidate shall be able to adjust main settings, use the built-in help features and deal with a non-responding application. He or she shall be able to operate effectively within the desktop environment and work with desktop icons and windows. The candidate shall be able to manage and organize files and directories/folders, and know how to duplicate, move and delete files and directories/folders, and compress and extract files. The candidate shall also understand what a computer virus is and be able to use virus-scanning software. The candidate shall demonstrate the ability to use simple editing tools and print management facilities available within the operating system.

The following analysis is taken from the Mandrake HTML (chunked) version.

2.1 Computer Environment
 * 2.1.1 First Steps with the Computer
 * 2.1.1 Location:
 * 2.1.1.1 Start the Computer
 * Notes: The sub-module starts off with technical language and concepts which would be unrecognisable by the user. This might be overcome by links to a glossary of terms, but at the moment means that technical jargon etc. is used without prior knowledge acquisition. Should be simplified. Syllabus is covered but this section requires about 70% re-write.
 * 2.1.1.2 Shut down the computer
 * Notes: Same issue as above - language and jargon used which would be unfamiliar at this point. Needs about 5% re-write. Syllabus is covered.
 * 2.1.1.3 Restart the computer using an appropriate routine
 * Notes: Seems too short. Would probably include some context - i.e. reasons why you might need to restart and basic information about what happens to the computer, i.e. does it turn off? If you have stuff in memory, is it lost?. Syllabus covered although think it requires additional material.
 * 2.1.1.4 Shut down a non-responding application
 * Notes: Would like to see some clearer explanation at beginning that you can shut down a single application with the following... and that this does not mean shutting down the PC etc. Again some details are not going to be very meaningful at this point, e.g. 'most likely cause of a frozen system lies with the GUI' ?? Syllabus covered but gaps - would suggest re-write about 50%.
 * 2.1.2 Basic Information and Operations
 * 2.1.2 Location:
 * 2.1.2.1 View the computer's basic system for information: operating system and version number, installed RAM (random access memory)
 * Notes:
 * View CPU and RAM details - no explanation, needs re-write 100%. View operating system information - more comprehensive. Syllabus covered 50%
 * 2.1.2.2 Change the computer's desktop configuration.
 * Notes:
 * Explanation about why you need the root password should be repeated here.
 * Set date and time - no explanation about how to change this.
 * Set Volume level - no explanation included.
 * Get information on sound card - not relevant in this section.
 * Change colour settings - OK.
 * Change screen saver - need to start by explaining what a screen saver is.
 * Set desktop background - more explanation about what this means - notes about the thin client are too technical at this point, needs re-write.
 * Set Screen Pixel resolution - need to explain what this is first.
 * Syllabus covered but many gaps - suggest 70% re-write
 * 2.1.2.3 Set, change keyboard language
 * Notes: OK until the point where instructed to select the keyboard layout, then no explanation how to do it. Syllabus covered but gaps, needs 20% re-write.
 * 2.1.2.4 Format removable disk media
 * Notes: In 'Formatting' section tables need to be explained. Also section needs updating to cover different media types? in section 'formatting a diskette using a terminal' - again writer assumed the user knows what 'terminal' means. Don't feel there is enough explanation in these sections for new users. Syllabus covered but needs some re-write 40%.
 * 2.1.2.5 Install, uninstall a software application.
 * Notes:
 * Intall applications from CDs - OK, and could possibly explain the install and uninstall applications at first in introduction before launching into doing it.
 * Install from CDs with an install program - Maybe need to add where the install file would be put, as some programs copy to desktop and then you install.
 * using file manager - needs more explanation - re-write 90%
 * uninstall - as above, explain that this uses the uninstall programme in intro. When click Remove - maybe explain what happens?
 * Syllabus covered but some suggested re-write - only about 20%
 * 2.1.2.6 Use keyboard print screen and paste into a doc.
 * Notes: This section OK - only comment is around use of jargon and in section about inserting a graphic into a document wording assumes the reader already knows how to do this " ..in the same way you would insert any graphic" ???
 * Syllabus covered - re-write 5%
 * 2.1.2.7 Use available help functions.
 * Notes: This is OK - Syllabus covered.
 * 2.1.3 Text Editing
 * Location:
 * 2.1.3.1-3 Launching a text editing application. Open, create a file, saving, and closing.
 * Notes: Only in this section is the syntax of commands written down explained (File>Save). Should have been at beginning. Would reverse the order - Save a new do first followed by save an existing doc. Syllabus covered. Well explained.

2.2 Desktop
 * Notes: Terminology appears at beginning of this 'chapter', and some of this is used in previous sections, so should have been included earlier.
 * 2.2.1 Work with Icons
 * 2.2.1 Location: for all 2.2.1 sections
 * 2.2.1.1 Recognise common desktop icons
 * Notes:OK
 * 2.2.1.2 Select and move desktop icons
 * Notes:OK
 * 2.2.1.3 Open a file, directory/folder, application from the desktop
 * Notes:OK
 * 2.2.1.4 Create a desktop shortcut icon, desktop menu alias
 * Notes:Section called 'save a file to the desktop' - explain that this is one way?
 * Needs a bit of explanation about what a command is.
 * 2.2.2 Work with Windows
 * Location: for all 2.2.2 sections
 * 2.2.2.1 Identify the different parts of a window...
 * Notes:Its OK to use screenshots and labels, however for accessibility standards, we need to make sure that all explanation are also available in text. The written explanation needs to be expanded.
 * 2.2.2.2 Collapse, expand, resize, move, close a window
 * Notes:OK - but just need to explain that a 'resize handle' means a change in shape to the mouse cursor.
 * 2.2.2.3 Switch between open windows
 * Notes:OK

2.3 Managing Files
 * 2.3.1 Concepts
 * [http://icdl.tsf.org.za/devcourses/mod2/mandrake/ch03.html Location for all 2.3.1:
 * 2.3.1.1 Understand how an operating system shows drives, folders, files in a heirarchical structure
 * Notes:Comprehensive, but sometimes technical jargon used which needs to be explained.
 * 2.3.1.2 Know that the devices used to store files and folders are the hard disk, diskettes, CD-ROM, network drives etc.
 * Notes:Think this may need to be re-written slightly (50% rewrite)
 * 2.3.2 Directories/Folders
 * Location: of 2.3.2
 * 2.3.2.1 Navigate to a file/folder on a drive
 * Notes:Comprehensive, but maybe a diagram would help with heirarchical concept?
 * 2.3.2.2 Create a directory/folder and a further subdirectory/sub-folder.
 * Notes:Needs to start off with a 'why' - you need to create a folder?
 * 2.3.2.3 Open a window to display directory/folder name, size, location on drive.
 * Notes:OK

2.4 Viruses 2.5 Print Management
 * 2.3.3 Working with Files
 * Location: 2.3.3
 * 2.3.3.1 Recognise common file types...
 * Notes:Could include a more generic explanation about 'categories' of files, e.g. graphics files, text files etc etc? Table is useful though.
 * 2.3.3.2 Count the number of files...
 * Notes: OK
 * 2.3.3.3 Change file status
 * Notes: This is in section [ http://icdl.tsf.org.za/devcourses/mod2/mandrake/ch03s02.html#mod2-open-display-folder Open a window to display directory/folder name, size, location on drive.] All OK. Also includes further sections 'Change permissions on a directory and change permissions on a file'.
 * 2.3.3.4 Sort files by name, size, type, date modified.
 * Notes: OK
 * 2.3.3.5 Understand the importance of maintaining correct file extensions when re-naming files.
 * Notes: OK
 * 2.3.3.6 Rename files, directories/folders.
 * Notes: OK
 * 2.3.4 Duplicate, Move
 * Location: 2.3.4
 * 2.3.4.1 - 2.3.4.4 (all these sections taken as a whole)
 * Notes: All sections OK
 * 2.3.5 Delete, Restore
 * Location: 2.3.5
 * 2.3.5.1 - 2.3.5.3 (all these sections taken as a whole)
 * Notes: All sections OK
 * 2.3.6 Searching
 * [ http://icdl.tsf.org.za/devcourses/mod2/mandrake/ch03s06.html Location: 2.3.6]
 * 2.3.6.1 - 2.3.6.3 (all these sections taken as a whole)
 * Notes: All sections OK
 * 2.3.7 Compressing Files
 * Location: 2.3.7
 * 2.3.7.1 - 2.3.7.3 (all these sections taken as a whole)
 * Notes: Need to decide which software we use to illustrate (here ARK is used). Otherwise OK.
 * 2.4.1 Concepts
 * Location: 2.4.1
 * 2.4.1.1 - 2.4.1.4 (all these sections taken as a whole)
 * Notes: Can be made less text heavy - needs some re-writing.
 * 2.4.2 Handling Viruses
 * Location: 2.4.2
 * 2.4.2.1 - 2.4.2.2 (all these sections taken as a whole)
 * Notes: Need to agree which applications to demonstrate here. OK.
 * 2.5.1 Setup
 * Location: 2.5.1
 * 2.5.1.1 - 2.5.1.2 (all these sections taken as a whole)
 * Notes: This depends very much on the version being used. Some general concepts need to be explained - e.g. what a printer port means?
 * 2.5.2 Print Outputs
 * Location: 2.5.2
 * 2.5.2.1 - 2.5.2.3 (all these sections taken as a whole)
 * Notes: OK - will depend on version.