COMMISSION ON INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
N ATIONAL ICT C OMPETENCY S TANDARD (NICS)
B ASIC
PREFACE
The National ICT Competency Standard (NICS) - Basic handbook lists and defines the most basic set of knowledge and skills that all Filipino ICT practitioners (non-professional or professional) across various agencies, industries and sectors, can and should be able to demonstrate at given levels of proficiency.
It is intended as a baseline measure for the ICT literacy of high school students, civil servants, and the vast workforce that benefit from the development of information and communications technology in the Philippines.
The skills and knowledge defined in the NICS - Basic are the building blocks of ICT competencies. They attest to, and prescribe the levels of fundamental skills that the ICT –enabled human resource in the Philippines can contribute to the global economy.
The NICS - Basic was based on a broad comparative research on current industry practices in other countries, and was developed in consultation with various government and private agencies, institutions, and stakeholders. It deliberately avoids reference to specific vendors, versions, or equipment, thus, making it adaptable to various platforms. Alternatively, it prescribes essential standards that comply with universal requirements of competency drawn from recognized international ICT competency development groups such as the NWCET, ISTE, IFIP, ICDL, MCREL, EDC, and others.
Effectively, the NICS - Basic serves as a snapshot of existing industry standards and as a blueprint for ICT capability building for forward-looking agencies, institutions and organizations. Through the creative and productive use of the standards to their own operations, organizations can use it as a benchmark by which the basic competencies of their ICT workforce can be assessed.
In its most basic form, NICS - Basic serves as a tool for gauging ICT literacy levels using qualitative indicators of skills and knowledge in nine key areas of competency, referred to as Skill Set Divisions, namely: ICT Basics, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Presentation, Information and Communication, and Computer Ethics and Security. The standards and indicators are presented using straightforward descriptions of the procedures and steps involved in each operation. the facilitate understanding and interpretation of the standards. The table of underpinning knowledge is an inventory of the basic ICT concepts that comprise the core competencies in each Skill Set Division.
The NICS - Basic is a milestone effort that ushers related initiatives to bridge the digital divide that can be the standardization and leveling of the expectations
INTRODUCTION
The National ICT Competency Standard (NICS) - Basic defines the knowledge and skills an individual must possess at a recognized level of competence. It helps ensure that an individual has the necessary level of knowledge and competence to use common computer applications.
Knowledge and skills in competency areas are presented generally with specifics on essential areas of learning, but avoids reference to specific vendors, versions or equipment. Thus, it allows flexibility in the adoption of the standard while preserving the general requirements for competence.
NICS - Basic is designed in such a way that it is common to all disciplines, to all learning and working environments, and to all levels of education. It provides a common framework of expectations between government & business, educators, workers and students, such that:
• Government & business are assured of manpower with the guaranteed ability to perform;
• Educators can discern the competencies on which curriculum is based;
• Workers understand what is expected to be performed and be more efficient & productive; and
• Students know what they need to be able to do.
In addition, it initiates and extends mere literacy towards fluency with technology focusing on understanding the underlying concepts of technology, competence in the use of technology, and ultimately having the right attitude with a sense of responsibility and applying problem-solving and critical thinking to using technology.
NICS-Basic was developed in collaboration with other government agencies and several private stakeholders. A series of technical discussions and workshops were conducted in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to ensure a concrete ICT Competency Framework for each major and specific area. Attendees to these workshops include:
• Undersecretaries, Directors, and Consultants from Commission on Higher Education and Department of Education;
• Deans, Department Heads, and faculty members of private and State Universities and Colleges;
• Faculty members of various public and private elementary and secondary schools;
Project Directors of different Non-Government Organizations; and
CONTENTS
DEFINITION OF TERMS...1
UNDERSTANDING THE STRUCTURE...2
ICT BASICS ...3
WORD PROCESSING ...7
SPREADSHEETS...11
PRESENTATION...14
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION ...18
COMPUTER ETHICS AND SECURITY ...22
REFERENCES...25
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Information & Communications Technology (ICT)
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is defined as the totality of electronic means to collect, store, process and present information to end-users in support of their activities. It consists, among others, of computer systems, office systems and consumer electronics, as well as networked information infrastructure, the components of which include the telephone system, the Internet, fax machines and computers.
ICT Literacy
More than being able to use the computer; having knowledge or competence in ICT; the degree to which individuals are familiar with computer operating systems and applications.
ICT Literate
Individuals who are able to demonstrate the right knowledge, skills and attitude in the use of ICT
Standard
Conventionally, a standard is defined as an accepted or approved example or technique against which other things are judged or measured, or which sets out a set of criteria that serves as a guideline for how something should be done;
accepted level and scope of attainment of proficiency; a reference point against which other things are judged or measured. In the handbook, the term is used to refer to concise statements that describe the key area of competency.
Competency
Knowledge, skill, ability, or characteristic associated with high performance on a job. Some definitions of competency include motives, beliefs, and values.
Competencies can also help distinguish high performance from average and low performance; a desirable quality or behavior; a performance indicator
UNDERSTANDING THE STRUCTURE
The NICS - Basic is a wealth of information presented in a very compact form comprising the following elements:
Standard Title
The Standard Title is a concise statement that describes the key area of competency.
Standard Descriptor
The Standard Descriptor is a brief description of the skills set covered by the standard.
Statements
Statements describe in outcome terms the key areas of competence covered by the standard. Statements are focused on performance and are demonstrable.
Indicators
The Indicators identify the actions an individual would normally take to perform the area of competence detailed in the relevant statement.
They are specific evidence of the achievement of a defined skill or knowledge level or the competent completion of a task.
Underpinning Knowledge
Underpinning Knowledge identifies the essential areas of learning and understandings that underpin the area of competence described in the standard. It also indicates broad areas of learning and development that an individual might consider to strengthen this specific area of competence.
Sample Entry
Statements Standard
Standard Descriptor
Indicators
Underpinning Knowledge
SKILL SET DIVISION A ICT BASICS
Competency Descriptor:
This standard covers the main concepts of ICT at a general level. It presents the requirements to understand the components of a personal computer, how information networks are used in computing, and management of files and print documents.
Standard 1: Explain the terms Information Technology & Communications Technology
Indicators:
• Define Information Technology, Communications Technology and other ICT- related terms
• Identify the different types of computer
• Discuss the uses, characteristics, and advantages of a computer
Standard 2: Identify the different hardware and software components of a computer and how they work together
Indicators:
• Identify the different parts of a computer system
• Identify the different parts associated with input, process, output
• Know the different capacity of storage, processing, resolution, etc.
• Identify the different kinds of optional peripherals for specific use Standard 3: Differentiate the different types of software
Indicators:
• Identify the most commonly used software
• Identify the appropriate software
Standard 4: Discuss Networking / Communications Technology
Indicators:
• Differentiate the types of communication technology
• Define and identify the different communication devices
• Differentiate and categorize the different networking media
• Discuss the steps for connecting to the Internet Standard 5: Operate a computer
Indicators:
• Identify and differentiate the parts of a computer
• Identifies the functionalities of the operating system
• Boot-up and shut-down a computer
Standard 6: Arrange and customize the desktop
Indicators:
• Arrange desktop icons by name, size and type
• Add and remove desktop icons
• Change desktop properties Standard 7: Manage applications
Indicators:
• Install/uninstall an application
• Locate an application
• Start an application
• Close an application
• Switch between open applications
Standard 8: Manage files
Indicators:
• Identify and differentiate the types of files/documents and associated program
• Create and delete folders
• Move, delete, restore, copy, paste files
• Share folders
• Apply appropriate file and disk management techniques
• Use appropriate directory and file names
• Backup data periodically to a storage media Standard 9: Manage a printer
Indicators:
• Setup a printer
• Connect to a network printer
• Cancel a file for printing
• Arrange print queues
• Print a test page
Standard 10: Troubleshoot the computer
Indicators:
• Test computer using standard diagnostic tools/software
• Reinstall software as needed
• Recover data and/or files
• Restore system to normal operating standards
• Prepare failure/trouble reports
• Access in-house or external support as needed
• Use the Control Panel for basic PC configuration
Underpinning Knowledge:
• Information Technology
• Types of computers/History of Computing
• Communications Technology
• History of Telephony
• Components of a Computer System
• Input and Output Devices
• Computer Storage
• Multimedia System
• Types of Software
• Local Area Networks
• Wide Area Networks
• Parts of a Computer
• Mouse Operations
• Parts of the Screen
• File Management Application
• Moving and Copying Files
• Deleting Files
• Directories
• File Sharing
• Printer Setup
• Managing Print Queues
• Printer Sharing
SKILL SET DIVISION B WORD PROCESSING
Competency Descriptor:
This standard covers the requirements to demonstrate the ability to use a word processing application on a computer. It presents the tasks associated with creating, formatting, and printing word processing documents.
Standard 1: Manage documents
Indicators:
• Create a new document
• Save the newly created document
• Open, edit, save and close existing document Standard 2: Format text
Indicators:
• Change font face, style, size, color
• Change character spacing
• Use text effects
Standard 3: Format paragraph
Indicators:
• Align/justify text
• Center text
• Change paragraph spacing
• Indent paragraphs
• Apply numbering and bulleting
Standard 4: Format document
Indicators:
• Insert line and page breaks
• Specify pagination
• Change margins
• Specify paper size and orientation
• Specify paper source
• Add headers, footers, line numbers, footnotes, and Table of Contents
Standard 5: Move and copy text Insert text
Delete text Indicators:
• Move data within the document
• Copy data to duplicate text within the document
• Select text
• Select group of text
• Select a paragraph
• Select an entire document
• Insert a character, word, sentence or small amount of text
• Insert a new paragraph
• Insert special characters/symbols
• Delete a character, word or sentence
• Delete an entire paragraph
Standard 6: Insert tables
Indicators:
• Insert standard table
• Specify number of columns and rows
• Change cell attributes
• Add borders and shading
• Apply automatic formatting
Standard 7: Insert pictures and images
Indicators:
• Insert pictures and images from the gallery
• Insert pictures and images from a saved file
• Re-size pictures or images
Standard 8: Preview a document
Indicators:
• Open and print preview document for printing
• Zoom-in and zoom-out document
• Switch to one-page, multiple-page or full-screen views Standard 9: Print a document
Indicators:
• Open document for printing
• Specify printer
• Change other printer options and properties
• Specify page range and number of copies
Underpinning Knowledge:
• Opening and Closing an Application
• Closing an Application
• Managing Documents
• Fonts
• Paragraph Formatting
• Outlines
• Page Numbers
• Page Breaks
• Margins
• Headers and Footers
• Paper Size and Orientation
• Moving and Copying Text
• Selecting Text
• Tables
• Pictures and Images
• Print Preview
• Printing documents
SKILL SET DIVISION C SPREADSHEET
Competency Descriptor:
This standard covers the requirements to demonstrate the ability to use a spreadsheet application on a computer. It presents the tasks associated with developing, formatting, modifying, and printing a spreadsheet; generating and applying standard mathematical and logical formulas; and creating and formatting graphs/charts.
Standard 1: Manage workbooks
Indicators:
• Open and close a workbook
• Open multiple workbooks
• Create a new workbook
• Save a workbook using a different name
• Switch between workbooks
Standard 2: Select cells
Enter data in a cell Insert and delete cells Insert and delete cells
Insert and delete rows and columns Indicators:
• Select a cell, a range of cells, range of non-adjacent cells, entire worksheet, entire row, entire column
• Enter data in a cell
• Enter data in multiple cells
• Insert rows or columns
• Delete rows or columns
Standard 3: Handle worksheets
Standard 4: Format data
Indicators:
• Format numbers using different number style
• Apply font formatting options
• Apply alignment formatting options
• Sort data
• Filter data
Standard 5: Format cells
Indicators:
• Add border effects to a range of cells
• Adjust cell content orientation
Standard 6: Format worksheet
Indicators:
• Change worksheet margins
• Change worksheet orientation
• Adjust page scaling to fit worksheet contents on one page or on a specific number of pages
• Add, modify headers and footers
• Insert page numbers, date, time, etc.
Standard 7: Create formulas and functions
Indicators:
• Generate formulas using cell references
• Use relative and absolute cell referencing
• Generate formulas using arithmetic and logical functions
Standard 8: Create and format charts/graphs
Indicators:
• Create different types of charts/graphs based on given data
• Add a title, label to the chart/graph
• Format the chart/graph by applying colors
• Change the chart type
• Resize, delete charts/graphs
Standard 9: Preview a worksheet Print a worksheet Indicators:
• Preview a worksheet
• Print a cell, a range of cells, or an entire worksheet
Underpinning Knowledge:
• Opening and Closing an Application
• Closing an Application
• Managing Workbooks
• Selecting a cell or a range of cells
• Selecting rows and columns
• Entering data
• Manipulating rows and columns
• Moving and Copying worksheets
• Formatting Numbers
• Font Formatting
• Data Alignment
• Borders and Shading
• Data Orientation
• Worksheet Margins
• Worksheet Orientation
• Headers and Footers
• Page Numbers
• Page Scaling
• Formulas
SKILL SET DIVISION D PRESENTATION
Competency Descriptor:
This standard covers the requirements to demonstrate the ability to use a presentation tool on a computer. It presents the tasks associated with creating, formatting, modifying, and preparing presentations using different slide layouts for display and printed distribution.
Standard 1: Discuss basic presentation skills
Indicators:
• Choose a presentation technique
• Set objectives
• Analyze the subject matter
• Present with your audience in mind
• Decide on structure
Standard 2: Apply appropriate visuals and design considerations
Indicators:
• Ensure that the design is simple, clear, and bold
• Apply appropriate font, font style, color, and font size
• Apply appropriate slide rules
Standard 3: Manage presentations using a presentation tool
Indicators:
• Open and close a presentation
• Open multiple presentation
• Create a new presentation
• Save a presentation using a different name
• Switch between presentations
Standard 4: Create slides
Use different slide views Indicators:
• Insert a new slide
• Rearrange slides using Slide Sorter View
• Switch from one view to another
Standard 5: Apply slide layouts and templates
Indicators:
• Add new slide with a specific layout
• Change between built-in slide layouts
• Apply a design template
Standard 6: Format text
Indicators:
• Add text to the presentation
• Apply text formatting
• Apply text alignment
• Apply bulleting
Standard 7: Insert pictures and images
Indicators:
• Insert a picture or an image into a slide
• Resize pictures or images
• Delete pictures or images in a slide
Standard 8: Insert drawn objects
Indicators:
• Add different types of drawn objects to a slide
• Format a drawn object
• Rotate or flip a drawn object
• Resize a drawn object
Standard 9: Create charts/graphs
Indicators:
• Input data to create a built-in chart/graph
• Change the chart/graph type
• Format a chart/graph
Standard 10: Create a slide show Apply slide show effects Indicators:
• Add preset text, image animation effects to slides
• Change preset animation effects
• Add transition effects between slides Standard 11: Prepare outputs
Indicators:
• Create speaker’s notes
• Create handouts
• Change slide setup
• Hide or show slides
• Start a slide show
Standard 12: Print slides
Indicators:
• Print entire presentation
• Print selected slides
Underpinning Knowledge:
• Opening and Closing an Application
• Closing an Application
• Managing Presentations
• Inserting and Deleting Slides
• Slide Views
• Rearranging Slides
• Slide Layouts
• Design Templates
• Text Formatting
• Paragraph Formatting
• Cliparts
• Drawing Toolbar
• Built-in Objects
• Creating charts/graphs
• Slide Animation
• Slide Transition
• Speaker’s Notes
• Handouts
• Starting Presentations
• Printing Objects
SKILL SET DIVISION E INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
Competency Descriptor:
This standard covers the requirements to understand the concepts and terms associated with the Internet and electronic mail together.
Standard 1: Discuss Internet and World Wide Web
Indicators:
• Define and understand the terms: Internet, WWW, HTTP, URL, home page, web page
• Understand the format of a web address
• Know what a browser is and what it is used for
• Understand the terms cookie, cache, and proxy Standard 2: Access the Web
Indicators:
• Open and close a browser
• Change the browser home page
• Go to a URL
• Activate a hyperlink
• Refresh a web page
• Delete the cache
Standard 3: Use Bookmarks
Indicators:
• Bookmark a web page
• Display a bookmarked web page
Standard 4: Search the Web
Indicators:
• Select a specific search engine
• Type a search criteria
• Combine selection criteria in a search
Standard 5: Download web pages
Indicators:
• Download text file, image file, sound file, video file, software, from a web page
• Save a web page to a location on a drive
• Print a web page
Standard 6: Send and receive email
Indicators:
• Create and secure a personal email account through the Web
• Open and close an email application
• Open a mail inbox
• Open one or several mail messages
• Close a mail message
• Open and save a file attachment to a location
• Reply to a message
• Create a new message
• Attach a file to a message
• Insert a mail address in the To, cc, bcc field
• Insert a title in the Subject field
• Send a message using groups
Standard 7: Create an Address Book
Indicators:
• Create a new address book
• Add a mail address to an address book
• Delete a mail address from an address book
• Update an address book
• Create groups
Standard 8: Organize messages
Indicators:
• Create a new folder for mail
• Move messages to a new folder
• Sort messages
• Delete messages
Standard 9: Print messages
Indicators:
• Preview a message
• Print a message or selected contents of a message
Underpinning Knowledge:
• Internet Basics
• Web Browsers
• URLs
• Hyperlinks
• Search Engines
• Downloading Web Pages
• Saving Web Pages
• Printing Web Pages
• Creating Messages
• Replying to a Message
• Forwarding Messages
• Groups
• Attachments
• Contacts
• Creating Folders
• Moving, Copying, and Deleting Messages
• Sorting Messages
• Previewing Messages
• Printing Messages
SKILL SET DIVISION F COMPUTER ETHICS AND SECURITY
Competency Descriptor:
This standard covers the requirements to understand the important security and legal issues associated with using the computers.
Standard 1: Understand personal property and user rights
Indicators:
• Recognize that when an individual creates something on a computer, the created work is that person’s property
• Recognize that when an individual creates something on a computer, only that person has the right to change it
Standard 2: Understand the concept of software piracy and violation of copyright laws
Indicators:
• Explain the concept of software piracy
• Recognize that software piracy is illegally copying software
• Recognize that piracy is a violation of copyright laws
• Identify examples of copyright violations
Standard 3: Recognize examples of copyright violations, computer fraud and possible penalties
Indicators:
• Identify examples of computer fraud
• Identify possible penalties of copyright violations and computer fraud
• Recognize that computer hacking is an example of computer fraud
• Recognize that intentional virus setting is an example of computer fraud
• Recognize that invasion of privacy is an example of computer fraud
Standard 4: Apply common courtesies and acceptable use policies while telecomputing
Indicators:
• Use common courtesies associated with telecomputing
Standard 5: Explain the concept of Security
Indicators:
• Define Security
• Identify the different security threats
• Identify the different security techniques
• Explain the use anti-virus software
Standard 6: Recognize and respond to ethical situations and cyber security issues involving computing devices of all forms
Indicators:
• Recognize the privacy issues associated with computers, such as password, user ID, and access rights
• Recognize the purpose and value of backing up data, software to a removable storage device
• Discuss the possible implications of theft , misuse of confidential files, and loss of files
Standard 7: Apply fundamental principles of computer security
Indicators:
• Take responsibility to secure own computer
• Scan computer for viruses
Underpinning Knowledge:
• Threats to Computer Systems
• Privacy and Confidentiality
• Data Integrity
• Data Consistency
• Threats to Information
• Virus
• Worms
• Spyware
REFERENCES
Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL)
International Society for Technology in Education – National Educational Technology Standards (ISTE – NETS)
International Federation for Information Processing
International Computer Driving License. International Computer Driving License Syllabus Version 4.0. Dublin 4, Ireland: European Computer Driving License Foundation Ltd.
Education Development Center (2002). IT Career Cluster Initiative Foundation Knowledge and Skills. Ohio Department of Education
