Certiport's Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®) is the ideal certification for anyone that wants to demonstrate critical computer and Internet skills valued in today's academic and professional environments. Because digital literacy is vital to the success in both of these endeavors, IC³ is the perfect credential for both traditional and non-traditional students as well as employees.
Some of the prime candidates for the IC³ digital literacy program include:
Employers looking to validate skills
Workforce members seeking professional development
College and University students
Community and technical college students
Job Corps and other vocational participants
Continuing education students
GED students
High school students
Junior high students
Teachers
Everyone seeking to gain a working knowledge of computers and the Internet
IC³—A DYNAMIC STANDARD:
Computers and the technology that drives them change at a frenetic rate. Fortunately, IC³ enables us to keep pace with the standards of digital literacy. The program’s rolling-development cycle ensures IC³ will always be a valid and relevant tool to measure proficiency in the latest key technologies for school, work, and life.
IC³ BENEFITS:
Exposure to computers does not equal understanding. IC³ Certification offers you the opportunity to learn and demonstrate computer and Internet literacy that accurately validates skills and productivity in the workplace.
Without question, IC³ Certification: Provides core skills and knowledge necessary to use some computer applications and the Internet. Effectively tests computing knowledge and skills to ensure mastery is achieved. Gives a resume-building standard certification as proof of successful completion of the program. Provides the foundation necessary to further enhance productivity and marketability with other desktop application-specific certifications.
ABOUT THE IC³ EXAMS:
IC³ certification helps you learn and demonstrate Internet and digital literacy through a worldwide industry standard. To become IC³ certified, you must pass the following three exams. Each exam takes less than an hour to complete.
Objectives for IC³ GS3 Standard
Computing Fundamentals
Computer Hardware, Peripherals and Troubleshooting: To get the most from computer technology, you need to know what technology exists, how it works, and what component parts work with it.
This domain explores the various computers available today, their components and peripherals, including input-output devices such as printers, cameras, scanners and game controllers.
You’ll also learn how to maintain computer equipment, protect hardware from theft or damage, and solve common hardware problems.
Identify types of computers, how they process information, and the purpose and function of different hardware components
Identify how to maintain computer equipment and solve common problems relating to computer hardware
Computer Software:
Software turns a computer into a powerful tool for creating,
finding, organizing, and communicating information.
This domain
examines how software and hardware work together to perform
computing tasks and how software is developed and upgraded.
You’ll identify different types of software and explore the
fundamental concepts relating to popular applications, such as word
processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, databases, graphic
and multimedia programs, and many others.
Identify how software and hardware work together to perform computing tasks and how software is developed and upgraded
Identify different types of application software and general concept relating to application software categories
Using an Operating System:
A computer’s operating system controls the flow of information
and performs most of the background work. In this domain, you’ll
examine what an operating system is, how it works, and how to
manage it.
You’ll learn how to manipulate windows, folders, files
and shortcuts; install, uninstall and run applications; and solve
common problems. Also covered is a discussion of the most
popular operating systems (e.g., Windows, Macintosh OS, Linux,
etc.) and their capabilities.
Identify what an operating system is and how it works, and solve common problems related to operating systems
Use an operating system to manipulate a computer’s desktop, files and disks
Identify how to change system settings, install and remove software
Key Applications
Common Program Functions: Today’s programs have many common functions to help you
learn faster and get more out of them.
This domain helps you
understand those common functions as well as ways you can use
various programs to accomplish common tasks.
You’ll learn how to
start and exit an application, modify interface elements, and utilize
various sources of online help.
You’ll also discover how to perform
common functions for file-management, editing and formatting, and
printing and outputting.
Be able to start and exit an application, identify and modify interface elements and utilize sources of online help
Perform common file-management functions
Perform common editing and formatting functions
Perform common printing/outputting functions
Word Processing Functions: Modern word processors let you do more than create informative
documents. They enable you to create live data, collaborate with
others, and control access to your valuable information.
This
domain focuses on the elements of a well-organized document;
formatting text and documents, and the ability to use word-processing
tools to automate processes such as document review, security
and collaboration.
Be able to format text and documents including the ability to use automatic formatting tools
Be able to use word-processing tools to automate processes such as document review, security and collaboration
Spreadsheet Functions: Today’s spreadsheets effectively capture, organize, and display data
from budgets to statistics to inventory and so on. They also include
a wide array of formulas and functions that automatically calculate,
sort, and process information.
This domain teaches you how to
build and use a spreadsheet efficiently. Among other valuable skills,
you’ll learn how to sort and manipulate data using formulas and
functions, create simple but effective charts, and draw conclusions
based on tabular data and charts.
Be able to modify worksheet data and structure and format data in a worksheet
Be able to sort data, manipulate data using formulas and functions and create simple charts
Presentation Software: In the past, presentation software was only used for large audiences.
Now, laptops, inexpensive projectors, and Internet technology advances
have made presentation software a staple of modern communication
in the classroom and at work and around the world.
In this domain,
you’ll learn how to design, manage and modify presentations and
identify different ways presentations are distributed.
Be able to create and format simple presentations
Living Online
Communication Networks and the Internet: Networks and the Internet turn computers into powerful tools
for finding, sharing, and storing information around the globe.
This domain helps you identify network fundamentals and the
benefits and risks of network computing. This includes understanding
that different networks transmit different types of data, the
roles of clients and servers in a network, and the fundamental
principles of security.
Identify network fundamentals and the benefits and risks of network computing
Electronic Communication and Collaboration: Email, cell phones, blogs, teleconferencing, social networks, and
other electronic communication tools connect billions of people
instantly worldwide.
This domain helps you identify various types of
electronic communication and collaboration, how they work, and
how to use them effectively. This includes and understanding of “the
rules of the road” for online communication (e.g., netiquette), and
common problems associated with electronic communication (e.g.,
delivery failure, junk mail, fraud, viruses, etc.).
Identify different types of electronic communication/collaboration and how they work
Identify how to use an electronic mail application
Identify the appropriate use of different types of communication/collaboration tools and the “rules of the road” regarding online communication ("netiquette")
Using the Internet and the World Wide Web:
The Internet is not just for entertainment; it has become one of the
principle ways of finding and sharing information, keeping up with
friends, doing business, and even dealing with the government.
In
this domain, you learn about the Internet, the World Wide Web and
websites and how to use a Web browsing application. Also learn
how to evaluate the quality of information found on the Web, and
identify responsible and ethical behaviors when creating or using
online content.
Identity information about the Internet, the World Wide Web and Web sites and be able to use a Web browsing application
Understand how content is created, located and evaluated on the World Wide Web
The Impact of Computing and the Internet on Society: Computers are becoming more and more important to every aspect
of life, including work, school, government, home and social interaction.
This domain identifies how computers are used in different areas of life,
the risks of using computer hardware and software, and how to use
computers and the Internet safely, ethically and legally
Identify how computers are used in different areas of work, school and home
Identify the risks of using computer hardware and software and how to use computers and the Internet safely, ethically and legally
Objectives for IC³ 2005 Standard
Computing Fundamentals
Key Applications
Living Online
Computer Hardware: Identify types of computers, how they process information and how individual computers interact with other computing systems and devices
Identify the function of computer hardware components
Identify the factors that go into an individual or organizational decision on how to purchase computer equipment
Identify how to maintain computer equipment and solve common problems relating to computer hardware
Computer Software: Identify how software and hardware work together to perform computing tasks and how software is developed and upgraded
Identify different types of software, general concepts relating to software categories, and the tasks to which each type of software is most suited or not suited
Identify fundamental concepts relating to database applications
Using an Operating System: Identify what an operating system is and how it works, and solve common problems related to operating systems
Manipulate and control the Windows desktop, files and disks
Identify how to change system settings, install and remove software
Common Program Functions: Be able to start and exit a Windows application and utilize sources of online help
Identify common on-screen elements of Windows applications, change application settings and manage files within an application
Perform common editing and formatting functions
Perform common printing functions
Word Processing Functions: Be able to format text and documents including the ability to use automatic formatting tools
Be able to insert, edit and format tables in a document
Spreadsheet Functions: Be able to modify worksheet data and structure and format data in a worksheet
Be able to sort data, manipulate data using formulas and functions and add and modify charts in a worksheet
Presentation Software: Be able to create and format simple presentations
Networks and the Internet: Identify network fundamentals and the benefits and risks of network computing
Identify the relationship between computer networks, other communications networks (like the telephone network) and the Internet
Electronic Mail: Identify how electronic mail works
Identify how to use an electronic mail application
Identify the appropriate use of e-mail and e-mail related "netiquette"
Using the Internet: Identify different types of information sources on the Internet
Be able to use a Web browsing application
Be able to search the Internet for information
The Impact of Computing and the Internet on Society: Identify how computers are used in different areas of work, school, and home
Identify the risks of using computer hardware and software
SAMPLE EXAM DEMOSTRATION:
This IC³ demonstration gives you a great way to view IC³ sample questions and see what the IC³ exam environment looks like. You will also be introduced to the multiple question types—knowledge and performance-based—that you will encounter while taking the exams. Some of the question types include:
Performance-based testing Candidates must perform tasks in the computing environment Simulation of operating systems and applications Multiple correct response possibilities
"Demand for computer and database professionals is expected to increase much faster
than all other occupations (37%) through 2016. Fueling this demand is the growth of information networking, the expansion of client-server environments, and the need for computer
specialists to use their knowledge and skills in a problem-solving capacity"
Bureau of Labor Statistics, USA
"Certiport IC³ satisfies our requirements for developing and validating essential computing and Internet skills, We are confident that students who earn this certification will possess knowledge and skills that will make them more effective workers both here and abroad." Dr. Ming-Wing Chang on Taiwan Ministry of Education (MOE) endorsing IC³ as the national standard for information and communication technologies (2009)
Director of the Department of Education
Taoyuan County Government, Taiwan
"IC3 is the first stepping stone in the
certification path. It is a foundation tool for
measuring proficiency in the latest key
technologies for work and life." Hayley Smith
S&G Training LTD, UK
Provides core skills and knowledge necessary to use some computer applications and the Internet.
IC³ GS3 Objectives