ICDL Digital Student

COMPUTER
& ONLINE
ESSENTIALS
Syllabus 1.0

Syllabus Document
Purpose
This document details the syllabus for the Computer & Online Essentials module. The syllabus
describes, through learning outcomes, the knowledge and skills that a candidate for the
Computer & Online Essentials module should possess. The syllabus also provides the basis for
the theory and practice-based test in this module.

Copyright © 2020 - 2023 ICDL Foundation

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form except as
permitted by ICDL Foundation. Enquiries for permission to reproduce material should be
directed to ICDL Foundation.

Disclaimer
Although every care has been taken by ICDL Foundation in the preparation of this publication,
no warranty is given by ICDL Foundation, as publisher, as to the completeness of the
information contained within it and neither shall ICDL Foundation be responsible or liable for
any errors, omissions, inaccuracies, loss or damage whatsoever arising by virtue of such
information or any instructions or advice contained within this publication. Changes may be
made by ICDL Foundation at its own discretion and at any time without notice.

© 2020 - 2023 ICDL Foundation Ref: ICDL Computer & Online Essentials - Syllabus - V1.0 Page 2 of 8
 Computer & Online Essentials Module

This module sets out essential concepts and skills relating to the use of computers and
devices, file and application management, networks, online information, online
communication, and safety.

Module Goals

Successful candidates will be able to:

• Understand key concepts and carry out key activities relating to hardware and
software.
• Manage files and folders, store data, and manage applications.
• Understand network concepts, and connect to a network.
• Find and manage online information effectively, and manage browser settings.
• Understand considerations relating to the effective use of common communication
tools.
• Send, receive, and manage emails, and use calendars.
• Understand potential threats and ways to protect computers, devices, and data.
• Recognise considerations relating to safety, well-being, accessibility, and the
environment.

CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

1 Computers and 1.1 Hardware 1.1.1 Define the term hardware. Identify the
Devices main types of computers like: desktops,
laptops. Identify the main types of devices
like: tablets, smartphones.

1.1.2 Identify the main types of integrated and

external equipment like: printer, screen,
scanner, keyboard, mouse/trackpad,
touchscreen, camera, speakers,
microphone, headset, docking station,
storage.

1.1.3 Identify common input/output ports like:

Universal Serial Bus (USB), High-Definition
Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Video
Graphics Array (VGA).

1.1.4 Log off, shut down, restart a computer or

device using an appropriate routine. Log in
to a different user account.

1.1.5 Connect a device, equipment to a

computer using a USB connection.
Disconnect a device, equipment from a
computer using an appropriate routine.

1.1.6 Connect, disconnect computers, devices,

equipment using a Bluetooth connection.

© 2020 - 2023 ICDL Foundation Ref: ICDL Computer & Online Essentials – Syllabus – V1.0 Page 3 of 8
 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

1.2 Software 1.2.1 Define the term software and distinguish

between the main types of software like:
operating systems, applications. Recognise
that software can be installed locally or
accessed online.

1.2.2 Identify common examples of operating

systems for computers and devices.

1.2.3 Identify common examples of applications

like: office productivity, web browser,
communications, social networking,
design.

2 Managing Files and 2.1 Introducing File 2.1.1 Understand the function of the operating
Applications Management system's file management application,
desktop, and taskbar to efficiently manage
and access files, folders, applications.

2.1.2 Identify common icons like those

representing: files, folders, applications,
printers, drives, shortcuts/aliases, recycle
bin/wastebasket/trash. Identify common
file types like: word processing,
spreadsheet, presentation, portable
document format (pdf), image, audio,
video, compressed, executable files.

2.1.3 Understand how an operating system

organises drives, folders, files in a
hierarchical structure. Navigate between
drives, folders, sub-folders, files.

2.1.4 Change view mode to display files and

folders like: tiles, icons, list, details.

2.1.5 Search for files by properties: all or part of

file name using wildcards if necessary,
content, date modified.

2.2 Organising Files 2.2.1 Create a folder. Recognise good practice in

and Folders folder, file naming: use meaningful names
for folders and files to help with searching
and organisation.

2.2.2 Rename a file, folder.

2.2.3 Select individual, adjacent, non-adjacent

files, folders.

2.2.4 Copy, move files, folders between folders,

drives.

2.2.5 Delete files, folders to the

recycle bin/wastebasket/trash and restore
to original location.

© 2020 - 2023 ICDL Foundation Ref: ICDL Computer & Online Essentials – Syllabus – V1.0 Page 4 of 8
 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

2.2.6 Sort files in ascending, descending order by

name, size, type, date modified.

2.3 Storage 2.3.1 Identify the main types of storage media

like: internal hard drive, external hard drive,
network drive, online/cloud file storage,
USB flash drive, memory card.

2.3.2 Identify file size, folder size, storage

capacity measurements like: KB, MB, GB,
TB, PB.

2.3.3 Display file, folder, drive properties like:

name, size, location.

2.4 Managing 2.4.1 Install, uninstall an application.

Applications

2.4.2 Shut down a non-responding application.

2.4.3 Capture a full screen, active window.

3 Networks 3.1 Network 3.1.1 Define the term network. Outline the
Concepts purpose of a network: to share, access data,
applications and devices securely.

3.1.2 Understand the concepts of downloading

from, uploading to a network.

3.1.3 Understand the term Internet. Identify

some of its main uses like: information
searching, communication, purchasing,
selling, learning, publishing, banking,
government services, entertainment,
software access, file storage.

3.2 Network Access 3.2.1 Identify options for connecting to the

Internet like: wired network, wireless
network, mobile phone network.

3.2.2 Recognise the status of a wireless network:

protected/secure, open. Connect to,
disconnect from a wireless network.

4 Online Information 4.1 Finding 4.1.1 Understand the terms: World Wide Web
Information (WWW), Uniform Resource Locator (URL),
hyperlink.

4.1.2 Understand the function of search engines

and identify some common examples.

4.1.3 Carry out a search using a keyword, phrase,

exact phrase, image.

© 2020 - 2023 ICDL Foundation Ref: ICDL Computer & Online Essentials – Syllabus – V1.0 Page 5 of 8
 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

4.1.4 Refine a search using advanced search

features like: date, language, media type,
usage rights.

4.2 Managing 4.2.1 Create, delete a bookmarks / favourites

Information folder. Add web pages to a bookmarks /
favourites folder.

4.2.2 Download, save files to a location.

4.2.3 Preview, print a web page, selection from a

web page using available printing options.

4.2.4 Define the terms copyright, intellectual

property. Recognise the need to
acknowledge sources and/or seek
permission as appropriate.

4.3 Web Browser 4.3.1 Set the web browser home page.
Settings

4.3.2 Understand the term pop-up. Allow, block

pop-ups.

4.3.3 Understand the term cookie. Allow, block

cookies.

4.3.4 Delete history, temporary Internet files,

saved form data, saved passwords.

5 Online 5.1 Communication 5.1.1 Understand the function and features of

Communication Tools email, and identify some common
examples. Understand the structure of an
email address.

5.1.2 Understand the function and features of

messaging, audio call, video call tools, and
identify some common examples.

5.1.3 Understand the function and features of

social networking sites, forums, and
identify some common examples.

5.1.4 Recognise good practice when using

communication tools like: use an
appropriate communication tool and tone
for the audience and content; be accurate,
brief, clear; do not inappropriately disclose
private or sensitive information; do not
circulate inappropriate content; use in
accordance with usage policies.

5.2 Sending Email 5.2.1 Create an email. Enter an appropriate title

in the subject field and enter, paste content
into the body of an email.

© 2020 - 2023 ICDL Foundation Ref: ICDL Computer & Online Essentials – Syllabus – V1.0 Page 6 of 8
 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

5.2.2 Enter one or more email addresses,

distribution list in the To, Copy (Cc), Blind
copy (Bcc) fields, and identify when these
should be used.

5.2.3 Add, remove a file attachment.

5.2.4 Send an email.

5.3 Receiving Email 5.3.1 Open, close an email.

5.3.2 Use the reply, reply to all function, and

identify when these should be used.

5.3.3 Forward an email.

5.3.4 Open, save a file attachment to a location.

5.4 Email Tools and 5.4.1 Recognise options for setting an out of
Settings office reply.

5.4.2 Mark an email as read, unread. Flag, unflag

an email.

5.4.3 Create, delete, update a contact,

distribution list / mailing list.

5.5 Organising 5.5.1 Search for an email by sender, subject,

Emails email content.

5.5.2 Sort emails by name, date, size.

5.5.3 Create, delete an email folder/label. Move

emails to an email folder/label.

5.5.4 Delete an email. Restore a deleted email.

5.5.5 Move a message to, remove a message

from a junk folder.

5.6 Using Calendars 5.6.1 Create, cancel, update a meeting in a

calendar.

5.6.2 Add invitees, resources (meeting room,

equipment) to a meeting in a calendar.
Remove invitees, resources from a meeting
in a calendar.

5.6.3 Accept, decline an invitation.

6 Safety 6.1 Computers, 6.1.1 Understand some potential threats to

Devices and Data computers, devices and data like: malware,
unauthorised access, theft, accidental
damage.

© 2020 - 2023 ICDL Foundation Ref: ICDL Computer & Online Essentials – Syllabus – V1.0 Page 7 of 8
 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

6.1.2 Recognise some ways to protect

computers, devices and data like: use anti-
virus software; regularly update anti-virus,
application and operating system software;
do not download programs, open
attachments, links from unknown sources;
use encryption; use strong passwords;
regularly back up data to a remote location.

6.1.3 Recognise some ways to protect personal

and organisational data when online like:
identify a secure website; purchase from
secure reputable websites; avoid
unnecessary disclosure of private, sensitive
and financial information; log off from
websites; be aware of the possibility of
fraudulent and unsolicited
communications.

6.1.4 Use anti-virus software to scan a computer

or device.

6.2 Well Being and 6.2.1 Recognise ways to help ensure a user’s
Accessibility well-being while using a computer or
device like: take regular breaks, ensure
appropriate lighting, posture and
headphone volume.

6.2.2 Identify some options available for

enhancing accessibility like: voice
recognition software, screen reader, screen
magnifier, on-screen keyboard, high
contrast.

6.3 Environment 6.3.1 Recognise computer and device energy

saving practices like: turning off, adjusting
display and power mode settings, disabling
services when not required.

6.3.2 Recognise that computers, devices,

equipment, batteries, printer cartridges
and paper should be recycled where
possible.

© 2020 - 2023 ICDL Foundation Ref: ICDL Computer & Online Essentials – Syllabus – V1.0 Page 8 of 8