e-CITIZEN helps Candidates to develop an understanding and experience of computers and the internet with a view to facilitating their participation in the Information Society. On completion of the programme Candidates will have acquired the skills to be able to fully participate in e-society. Candidates will be:

	aware of information sources and available online services
	able to browse the World Wide Web and extract useful information in the areas of news, government, consumer, travel, education/training, employment, health, interest groups and business
	capable of searching for information from a variety of sources
	able to use e-government services and commercial online services (e.g. banking)
	able to carry out online transactions

The e-CITIZEN syllabus is divided into three Blocks, as follows:

Block 1
Foundation Skills: The Foundation Skills Block gives the candidate the necessary skills and knowledge for basic computer and internet use.
The candidate will know about computer hardware and software, be able to handle files and folders and know how to work with the icons and windows on a computer screen. The candidate will also be able to create a simple document, browse the internet and use e-mail.

Block 2
Information Search: The Information Search Block makes the candidate aware of the nature and extent of information available on the internet in the areas of news, government, consumer, travel, education/training, employment, health, interest groups and business.

The candidate will be able to search for information from a wide range of internet sources using browsing and keyword search techniques and shall be able to retain the information in a useful format.

The candidate will also appreciate some of the issues and risks associated with using the internet, such as reliability of information, secure access, viruses, unsolicited e-mail, security of personal data and parental control to access, and be able to take some precautionary measures.

Block 3
e-Participation: The e-Participation Block launches the candidate into the online world. Building on the computer and search skills already acquired, this Block completes the skills set necessary for the candidate to become an e-Citizen. As an e-citizen the candidate will now be introduced into an exciting world of online information resources and services in the areas of news, government, consumer, travel, education/training, employment, health, interest groups and business. The candidate will be able to confidently carry out every day tasks such as buying a CD or book, paying a bill, banking online or making a holiday reservation. The candidate will also be able to access a variety of information and services online such as filling in a tax return, finding out about new legislation, submitting a job application, enrolling in a course, making a doctor’s appointment or taking part in an online discussion forum. The candidate will further appreciate some of the issues and risks associated with using the internet, such security risks in credit card transactions, unscrupulous online service providers and data checking on forms, and be able to take some precautionary measures.

Having completed the three Blocks, the candidate is now ready to take their place in the online world as a responsible e-citizen and to freely enjoy the opportunities that it offers.