This lecture shows experiences of different electronic signature trainings from three points of view:
1.examination for graduated credits
2.examination as a participant of an accredited post-graduated teachers' course
3.technologic background of the new ECDL module examination
For the first time, we tried the Teachers Handbook for electronic signature originated by the Hungarian Association for Electronic Signature (HAES) in 2010. Experiences show that pupils can achieve the technical elements of electronic signature in secondary school, but there are some problems with learning about the theoretical background of electronic signature.
Post-graduated training for members of the Hungarian Association of Teachers for Informatics (HATI) started in different locations in 2010. The main goal of the training is to develop the teachers' ability to teach essential forms of technology of the electronic authenticity in graduated and non-graduated courses.
To reach this goal, the methodological and organizational background of the training was established with the active support of HAES. During the training, the HATI teachers become familiar with the theoretical and practical knowledge of electronic signatures, use several signature creation and verification programs, make and compare different kinds of signatures.
At the end of the training, they are able to write an own syllabus and solve a special test containing 10 theoretical and 8 practical questions. Experiences based on the first courses show that this knowledge is new for HATI teachers, but they can acquire it in a short period of time. They get a real, personal certificate beyond the tools.
Hereinafter the background of the examination of the ECDL Electronic Authenticity, Electronic Signature module is discussed. A platform-independent, simple and easy to use examination was the basic requirement. This professional work was supported by HAES, too. More than a billion tests can be produced from the question database, therefore a unique test is ensured for all examiners. The examiners are tested for theoretical and practical knowledge as well. However, practical knowledge is more important than the theoretical, therefore the main focus of the exams is on the practical knowledge.
There are 9 million people with ECDL degree in Europe. This number underpins the necessity of digital skills, hence this ECDL Electronic Authentication, Electronic Signature examination will rise from an other ECDL module. The knowing of electronic authenticity is universally necessary. This lecture shows the technological background of this module.
Last, but not least we can find some philosophical statements about changes evolved by the wide dissemination of electronic authenticity in the European and Hungarian Information Society.