Digital Skills / ICT

Entry Requirements

Are aged 19 years or older;
Have been a UK, EU or EEA resident continuously for the previous three years;
Have the right to live and work in the UK, EU or EEA

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for those who do not currently hold an ICT qualification, who has an ICT qualification below GCSE level or for those who want to further improve their ICT skills. The emphasis is on building up the basics to continue on to higher levels. Improved ICT skills will assist in maintaining your everyday life and in seeking or improving your employability. You will learn in a friendly, supportive online environment and at a pace to suit your needs.

Curriculum Intent

The curriculum intent of Digital Skills/ICT is for learners to get to grips with a variety of ICT technology and learn how to effectively operate a computer/laptop, including safe internet searching, creating documents, adapt settings, using Microsoft Office and various other soft and hard ware, plus lots more. Each level of Digital Skills/ICT builds on the previous level up to the completion of a Level 2 qualification. The E3 and L1 qualifications are nationally recognised and can help you to upskill and gain employment.

Initial Assessments

You must sit an assessment to join an ICT course
Assessments are held every Friday between 1pm-3.30pm at the Coleridge Centre. You can also sit the assessment online if you cannot come in-centre. Assessments are not held on bank holidays or during school holidays
Assessments take approximately 1 hour
The level at which you join an ICT course is dependent on your results of the initial assessment and any previous qualifications you may hold
You may incur a waiting period in between completing your assessment and starting lessons

Levels

We offer ICT at the following levels:

Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1 (equivalent to GCSE grade 1-3 / old graded D-G)
Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE grade 4 / old grade C)

Course Content

Entry Level 1/ Entry Level 2

Switching on and closing down the computer
Using a mouse and keyboard
Word processing
Saving and organising your work
Using tools to create a poster / party invitations
Adding formatting to a document
Moving and modifying text
Using a printer
File management
Using flash drives
Using a search engine to source information effectively

Entry Level 3

All topics in Entry Levels 1 and 2 plus:
Powerpoint
Excel
Word
Creating presentations
Adding slides
Creating an email account
Sending and receiving emails
Attachments
Spreadsheets
Functions and formulae
Charts

Level 1 / Level 2

All topics in previous levels, but more in depth, plus:
Using devices and handling information
Creating and editing
Communicating
Transacting
Being safe and responsible online
Assessment

Time and Location

You will attend one 2 to 3 hour lesson per week at the Coleridge Centre in Skerne Park, Darlington
ICT courses are roll on/roll off - there is no set start or end date and you will work at your own pace
Courses are held on a variety of days and times

Equipment

All ICT equipment is supplied to you. Please bring:

a notepad
a pen (or a digital device) to take notes
a file to store your work

Cost

This course is free of charge, providing you meet the eligibility criteria above. If you do not meet any one of the three criteria listed, each level you study will be charged at £135 and the assessment will be charged at £20.

Exams

You must sit a mandatory exams to achieve your E3 and L1 qualification
Exams take place at The Coleridge Centre or Bennet House in Darlington
Under no circumstances can you sit your exam at home or at any other venue
Exams for Digital Skills/ ICT in England are set by the Department for Education in cooperation with national exam boards. There are no nationally set dates and times for Digital Skills/ ICT exams, you will only sit an exam after a period of study when your tutor and yourself mutually agree you are exam ready
ICT exams take approximately two hours to complete

Progression

After this course has finished you may like to progress to the next level in ICT which might be a higher Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2. You may also wish to join other courses delivered by Learning & Skills across a variety of areas.

What do I do next?

Please contact us to book an initial assessment on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]and please let us know if you have been referred from the Job Centre.