ICDL Computer & Online Essentials (ICDL) study plan

ICDL Computer & Online Essentials · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Computer Essentials

Identify the main hardware components of a desktop and laptop (CPU, RAM, storage, ports) and state each one's basic function
Distinguish between operating-system software and application software, giving two examples of each
Practise starting up, shutting down, and restarting a computer safely, including logging in and out of a user account
Demonstrate connecting and safely removing a USB storage device

One-page labelled hardware-and-software reference sheet, written from memory and then corrected against your notes

Week 2

Create, rename, move, copy, and delete files and folders using a file manager
Explain the difference between a local drive and removable storage, and save the same file to both
Describe what file compression is and compress a folder into a single archive
Set and change a file's read-only attribute or permission and verify the change

A tidy practice folder tree containing at least 10 correctly named files plus one compressed archive, submitted as a screenshot or file listing

Week 3

Adjust at least four desktop or system settings (display resolution, date/time, language, sound) and note where each setting lives
Install and uninstall a simple application, then confirm it is fully removed
Describe what a software update is and check for updates on your own device
Identify two common causes of a slow computer and one safe remedy for each

Settings log listing each change you made, where you made it, and how you verified it took effect

Week 4

Define malware, phishing, and spam, and give one distinguishing sign of each
Apply password good practice by creating a strong passphrase and explaining why it is strong
Recognise at least three warning signs in a suspicious email or message and state the safe action for each
Explain what a firewall and antivirus tool do and confirm both are active on your device

A ten-item 'safe or suspicious?' checklist with a worked example for each item, self-marked

Week 5

Open a browser, navigate to a given address, and use back, forward, refresh, and home controls
Distinguish between a search engine and a browser, and run a search using three different search engines
Use two search techniques (quoted phrase and a site or minus filter) and compare the result quality
Bookmark a page, organise it into a folder, and retrieve it later

A short search log recording three queries, the technique used, and the top useful result for each

Week 6

Evaluate a web page's reliability using at least three criteria (author, date, purpose) and record a verdict
Explain what cookies and browsing history are and clear both in your browser
Describe the difference between HTTP and HTTPS and identify the padlock indicator on a real site
Complete an online form with validation errors and correct each error

A reliability review of two websites on the same topic, each scored against your three criteria with a written conclusion

Week 7

A sent-and-filed email trail: one message sent with attachment, one reply, one forwarded message, all filed into a folder

Week 8

A scored practice test with a written correction log for every wrong answer and a final gap list

Week 2: Can create, rename, move, copy, delete, and compress files without referring to notes, and can explain local versus removable storage

Week 4: Scores at least 80% on a self-made 20-question quiz covering hardware, software, file management, and basic security

Week 6: Can complete a web search, judge a page's reliability, and clear cookies and history unaided, explaining each step aloud

Week 8: Scores at least 85% on a timed mixed practice test across both domains and has a written correction for every missed item