This review covers ECDL sylabus 4, covering Microsoft Office 2000 and Office XP, as well as XP updates

The Electric Paper ECDL Approved Single User CD.

I had a go at ECDL three years ago, for the GBP170.00 I gave the college admin, I was handed a CD and was told I was given the first of all seven module exams free, there after a failure of any module exams, meant I would pay a further GBP15.00 re-sit, which I didn't want to do.

Here are the seven modules of the disc, in which you may start any module, given your knowledge of P.Cs and Office.

Module 1. Concepts of Information Technology (IT)
Module 2. Using the computer and managing files.
Module 3. Word Processing.
Module 4. Spreadsheets.
Module 5. Database.
Module 6. Presentations.
Module 7. Information and Communication.

For people starting out on ECDL, I would say do them as they are set out, although most people leave the first two till last as they have some knowledge on Microsoft Office and its different user functions "Excel, Power point, Word etc".

You can do this in the home, in your library or nearest college, I found doing it in college was best as all books that accompany the different syllabus's are decked out in the college library, plus you have the choice of doing it outside of regular college hours. That's not to say you shouldn't revisit and refresh the stuff you have already learnt, in the home.

For the ECDL course you will need a set of comfortable earphones, ones with small earphone jacks, as most PCs are kitted with the smaller sockets, a new writing pad and pen, it would be wise to invest in an ECDL book, and perhaps a plasstic paper wallet (polly pockets).

Doing the ECDL is time consuming, If you don't want to be forking out another GBP15.00 for a re-try at any failed Module exams.

The disc is going to be your best friend and worst enemy rolled into one, the disc has a user friendly set out, there is four separate functions- hear, see, do, check, this is all self explanatory, you might find after a while, the voice over gets a bit irritating, especially if you have to listen to something a couple of times over.

Once you start your course work, you will have a lengthy TWO years to complete it, this is more then ample even for those who have busy lives, I did 1 Module a month for the first 3 months passing all with a score better than 90% for all three, incidentally, you do need a score of 75% to pass a module, you can't curry favour and have someone pass you for GBP20.00 as the whole set up is done by computer, a point and click type deal.

ECDL is a qualification that has become very sought after in most jobs as employers want people who are trained in this PC literate world, it is a European wide held qualification too, meaning no matter where in Europe you are, the qualification is a warranted one.

Hopefully this has put any questions to rest, the staff are their to help, so don't be embarrassed to ask a question, even if it does seem a bit silly, and good luck.