Welcome to the latest edition of 'e-Skilled Society'. All articles featured in this HTML version can be read in full in a downloadable PDF version of the newsletter. Click here to download.

Austrian State Secretary Awards 300,000th ECDL Certificate

On 30 November 2011, the Austrian State Secretary for Integration, presented the 300,000th ECDL certificate to Ms. Marija Milosavljevic, at a ceremonial press conference. Ms. Milosavljevic, who is 18 years old, came to Vienna from Serbia when she was 10, and is currently an apprentice at the Wiener Stadtwerke (Vienna Municipal Works). Read more.

ECDL Prepares Undergraduates for the Workplace at one of the UK’s Fastest Growing Universities

With more than 28,000 students from 120 different national backgrounds, the University of East London is one of the UK’s most progressive, inclusive, and fastest growing universities. ECDL is currently being used to develop the students’ ICT skills, with more than 1,500 enrolments in the programme last year. Read more.

ICDL to Raise ICT Skill Levels in Education and Drive Economic Growth in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education, together with Microsoft, has concluded a programme of ICDL certification for teachers in east Sri Lanka. This initiative was part of the government’s ‘Nagenahira Navodaya’ (Reawakening of the East) campaign, which is aimed at developing underprivileged areas of Sri Lanka, in order to foster their social and economic integration with the country as a whole. Read more.

ICDL US Accreditation Partner Presents at the California Community Colleges’ ICT Collaborative Conference

The California Community Colleges ICT Collaborative is committed to proactively focus on and to improve community college educational services in ICT. The collaborative’s mission is to advance ICT education programmes at California community colleges, and to enable a diverse student population to succeed in meeting industry and business ICT workforce needs. Read more.

The Use of Technology in the Classroom – What’s Stopping it?

In recent decades, teaching methods have become much more progressive: educators are willing to embrace new tools and aids in order to enhance the communication of their subject to their students. Despite this, significant barriers still prevent the effective employment of ICT in teaching. Read more.

Promoting Digital Literacy: Case Studies from Around the World – ECDL Foundation Booklet

ECDL Foundation has recently produced a case study booklet entitled, ‘Promoting Digital Literacy: Case Studies from Around the World’, detailing recent initiatives with our involvement that have contributed to the improvement of individuals’ digital literacy levels in key sectors. Read more.

ECDL Foundation’s Social Media Pages – Follow us on a Number of Websites

To promote and share ECDL Foundation’s range of activities and initiatives to a growing audience, we are now active on selected social media websites. We encourage you to view our videos, learn about the global initiatives and policy-shaping activities with our involvement, and to contribute to the discussion around digital literacy. Read more.

End User e-Competence Framework

The Project Team for the CEN ICT Skills workshop End User e-Competence Framework project has been selected, and it will be led by ECDL Foundation. After a preliminary team meeting in Paris in December 2011, the project is now underway. Read more.

Digital Agenda for Europe – 1 Year Progress Report

This European Commission report outlines what actions have been completed in each of the action areas of the Digital Agenda for Europe, and those actions that are still behind schedule. The report also focuses on key action items to be carried out by Member States over the next 12 - 24 months. Read more.

Digital Inclusion in the Broadband World: Challenges for Australia

This paper details the multiple benefits that can be accessed by organisations – especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) - through the effective adoption of technology into business practices. Read More.

What e-Competences do IT Professionals in Europe have Today?

This recent paper discusses the looming 'digital participation gap' in Australia – both in terms of connectivity, and users’ skills. Read more.

Media and Information Literacy - Curriculum for Teachers: UNESCO – 2011

This UNESCO research report examines past trends, and the future direction required for teachers to be better equipped to provide their students with the skills to think critically, and evaluate information sources - both online and offline. Read more.

Always Connected: The New Digital Media Habits of Young Children

This 2011 report details the current role that media plays in children’s lives and their relationship with it. Read more.