IT Level 2 (ICDL Extra) course  is set up as individual online learning. This would require you to be independent up to a certain level and have the appropriate IT skills to work the programme. However, you shall have a highly qualified and skilled tutor to assist your throughout your whole programme and agree on your mandatory attendance days. They shall track your progress and offer you support through session plans, individual sessions, mini tests and assignments as well as any additional learning material that they may feel you require in accordance with any difficulties that you may face.

By the end of this course you shall update your IT skills in the following areas:

Microsoft Word
Microsoft word has quickly become one of the most used programmes within employment, therefore, this section will focus on teaching you how to use it in detail. This will vary from basics such as how to change the font, style and/or size of your text to how to create detailed adjustments to suite you needs, for instance, adding hyperlinks to your work.

Microsoft Excel
The use of Microsoft Excel is ever growing and is becoming a very convenient and simple way to store data. Therefore, in this section you shall learn in detail how to enter data into excel, create spreadsheets and work out sums.

Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft PowerPoint is one of the most favoured programmes when it comes to creating presentations. You shall learn how to create different presentation slides, choose different backgrounds and adaptations as well has how to include different graphs in accordance with your needs.

Improving Productivity of Using IT
This final section shall teach you how to identify the most effective programme of the above to use in accordance with work at hand and the programme that is most cost effective.

As part of your IT Level 1 (ICDL Essentials) course you will cover the following topics:

IT User Fundamentals
IT User Fundamentals will show you how to maintain the hardware, software and files that your computer uses, so it keeps working well. You will learn how to:

• use the right IT systems to meet your needs;
• organise, store and access information on the desktop or in folders and files;
• follow and understand the need for online safety; and
• carry out routine maintenance of IT systems, like updating your software and maintaining your drives and discs.

Electronic Communication
Email and the internet give us access to a whole new world of online communication and entertainment. This course focuses on communicating by email and over the internet. You will learn how to:

• send, receive and organise emails using Microsoft Outlook Express;
• use attachments;
• manage an address book of contacts or distribution lists;
• use instant messaging and internet conferencing;
• plan your social life by using the internet and social media to find information, organise events and buy tickets;
• use a search engine to find, bookmark, save and print information from websites;
• buy and pay for goods safely on the web;
• use the calendar and task manager in Outlook to plan events and manage your time and tasks;
• download useful software and use the internet to transfer files legally and safely; and
• publish information on your own website, web space or blog.

IT Security for Users
IT Security for Users will help you to understand the IT security threats facing computers, so you can protect your data and stay safe. You will learn how to:

• create user accounts and passwords to protect your personal data on the web;
• understand the risks of online communities and social networking;
• understand different types of malware and what they can do to your computer;
• prevent viruses getting onto your computer through spam email;
• avoid online fraud, like phishing scams;
• keep your network secure, especially when using wi-fi;
  back up data and recognise different portable storage devices like USB sticks and recordable DVDs; and
• understand how data protection laws work.

By the end of this course you shall update your IT skills in the following areas:

Microsoft Word
You will develop advanced word processing skills to format text and tables, work with referencing features and create tables of contents. You will improve your productivity by using fields, forms and templates. You will learn how to use advanced mail merge and macros, work with master documents and subdocuments, and work with watermarks, sections, headers and footers.

• Apply advanced text, paragraph, column and table formatting. Maintain a consistent design through the use of character and paragraph styles.
• Work with referencing features like footnotes, endnotes and captions. Manage citations and bibliography using a chosen citation style. Create tables of contents, indexes and cross-references.
• Enhance productivity by using fields, forms and templates.
• Apply advanced mail merge techniques and work with automation features like macros.
• Use linking and embedding features to integrate data.
• Collaborate on and review documents locally or online. Apply document security features.
• Work with watermarks, sections, and headers and footers in a document. Use a thesaurus and manage spell check settings.

Microsoft Excel
You will develop your skills with Excel to an advanced level so you can use sophisticated functions, create charts and apply advanced chart formatting features, work with tables and lists to analyse, filter and sort data. You will learn how to create and use scenarios and pivot tables, validate and audit spreadsheet data. You will enhance your productivity by working with named cell ranges, macros and templates. And you will learn about applying spreadsheet security.

• Apply advanced formatting options such as conditional formatting and customised number formatting and handle worksheets.
• Use functions such as those associated with logical, statistical, financial and mathematical operations.
• Create charts and apply advanced chart formatting.
• Work with tables and lists to analyse, filter and sort data. Create and use scenarios.
• Validate and audit spreadsheet data.
• Enhance productivity by working with named cell ranges and macros.
• Use linking, embedding and importing features to integrate data.
• Compare and merge spreadsheets. Apply spreadsheet security features.

Microsoft Access
You will develop your skills in using Microsoft Access including: understanding key concepts in database development and usage, creating a relational database, designing and refining queries using wildcards, parameters and calculations, using controls and sub forms to enhance forms and improve functionality. You will also learn how to create report controls to perform calculations and work with macros.

• Understand key concepts of database development and usage.
• Create a relational database using advanced table creation features and complex relationships between tables.
• Design and use queries to create a table, update, delete and append data. Refine queries using wildcards, parameters and calculations.
• Use controls and subforms to enhance forms and improve functionality.
• Create report controls to perform calculations. Create subreports and enhance report presentation.
• Enhance productivity by working with macros and use linking and importing features to integrate data.

Microsoft PowerPoint
You will learn how to make advanced PowerPoint presentations including: how to understand your target audience, creating and modifying templates and formatting slide backgrounds. You will learn how to use built-in drawing and image tools, apply advanced chart formatting features and create and edit diagrams, insert movies and sound and apply built-in animation features. You will focus on how to work with custom slide shows, apply slide show setting, and control a slide show.

• Understand target audience, venue and technical considerations in presentation planning.
• Create and modify templates and themes, and work with slide master layouts.
• Enhance a presentation using built-in drawing and image tools. Use alternative text for accessibility.
• Apply advanced chart formatting features and create and edit diagrams.
• Insert audio and video, create audio and screen recordings, and apply built-in animation features.
• Use linking, embedding, importing and exporting features to integrate data. Use password protection to secure a presentation.
• Work with custom slide shows and apply slide show settings. Use presenter view and control a slide show.

Improving Productivity of Using IT
Finally, you will focus on how to improve your productivity in general through IT use.

The IT for Beginners (BCS Essential Digital Skills for Work Entry 3) course is composed of five skill areas:

1. Using Devices and Handling Information Learners will be able to navigate devices and the internet to find and store information.
2. Creating and Editing Learners will be able to create a variety of document types and perform straightforward editing techniques.
3. Communicating Learners will be able to communicate and manage contacts using a suitable online method such as email or video calling.
4. Transacting Learners will be able to fill in online forms to make safe, secure purchases.
5. Being Safe and Responsible Online Learners will know how to keep devices and information secure. Learners will also be able to identify and demonstrate responsible behaviour and report any concerns.