Transcript Slide 1

Preparing Students to Become IT
Professionals
Denise C. Spence | Magnet Technology Lead Teacher | Dunbar High School
ACADEMY FOR TECHNOLOGY EXCELLENCE | ACADEMY FOR DIGITAL EXCELLENCE
AGENDA
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Certification—why it makes a difference
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Certification Overview
 IC3 – Digital Literacy
 Comptia - Strata
 Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)
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Site Licenses—certify more students than thought possible
CERTIFICATION—WHY IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
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Equip students with skills that drive success
 Academic preparedness
 Workforce readiness
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Provide students with a lasting credential
 Verifiable credentials for academic and workforce
advancement
 Distinction among peers
Validate that students possess
the critical 21st century skills
needed in today’s technology
learning and workforce
environments.
CERTIFICATION—WHY IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
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Optimize course effectiveness and classroom efficiency
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Accelerate student progress in courses and programs
Free professors from teaching technology to focus on their
curriculum
Place students according to ability
Certification can open the door for funding in K12 schools
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Funding opportunities include Perkins funds, Enhancing
Education Through Technology funds, 21st Century Community
Learning Centers funds, and Race to the Top funding
CERTIFICATION—WHY IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
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Strengthen programs, curricula, relevance and stature of the
institution
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Increase career placement and boost school rankings
Certification can help school administrators be certain students
are digitally prepared for:
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Entrance to the school
Graduate programs
Specific courses such as business, communications, IT/computer
science, and others
INTERNET AND COMPUTING CORE CERTIFICATION
Digital Literacy Certified in 3 Areas
Computing Fundamentals, Key
Applications, Living Online
Appropriate Candidates for Certification
Academic
• Middle School
• High School Students
• Post-Secondary Students
Workers
• Workforce Services Clients
• Employees of Corporations
Digital Literacy Trends
 Employers now require 21st Century skills
 Digital literacy is a workplace necessity
 Well over half of the US workforce uses a computer at work
• Over 80% of managerial positions
• Over 70% for technical, sales & administration support positions
• Over 20% of manufacturing laborers
Traditional Skills
 Reading
 Writing
21st Century Skills
 Arithmetic
 Digital Literacy
IC3 Program: Global Standard for Digital Literacy
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Digital Literacy Certified in 3 Areas: 3 exams = certification
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Computing Fundamentals Exam: Basic knowledge of computer hardware, software and operating
systems
Key Applications Exam: Use of word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software
Living Online Exam: Basic knowledge of computer networking, email, safe use of the Internet, and the
impact of computers on society
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The Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®) provides students and job-seekers with the
foundation of knowledge they need to succeed in environments that require the use of computers
and the Internet. The Global Standard 3 is an internationally recognized standard for digital literacy
and reflects the most relevant skills needed in today's academic and business environments.
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In an increasingly digital world, where virtually every field and function is impacted by computers,
IC³ certification can help refine ones aptitude in the most important and valuable areas. What's
more, IC³ helps teachers and instructors define their students' proficiency and marketable skills as
they enter the workforce.
STRATA IT FUNDAMENTALS
This entry-level exam helps…
…those exploring an IT career
to explore vendor-neutral options
…everyone else
gain useful tech knowledge
non-IT career
Software, Networking/Servers,
Database Administration, Web,
Storage, Security, Hardware.
Office Workers, Attorneys, MBAs,
…really every career now requires use
of technology at some level.
STRATA IT FUNDAMENTALS
Decide where you want to go, and speak tech fluently along the way:
Displays a path to guide your education.
Provides valued skills.
Whether they pursue a future in IT—or a
career in which they communicate with IT
professions—this is the starting point.
Demonstrates they have in-demand skills
employers look for when hiring employees
to “hit the ground running.”
Boosts confidence for entering IT field.
Ensures they have the core competencies
needed to progress to higher-level
certification programs and their career.
Gain tech fluency for non-IT careers.
Heighten comfort levels in interactions with
technical resources
STRATA IT FUNDAMENTALS
Demonstrate your grasp of these key areas:
MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATE (MTA)
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If you are teaching IT skills, MTA is the place to start
MTA makes it easier for academic institutions to build
and deliver technology education with a simple,
convenient, and affordable suite of entry-level
technology certifications
MTA validates fundamental technology knowledge,
enabling students to explore academic and career
options, and take the first step toward building a
successful career in technology
MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATE (MTA)
STUDENT PROFILE
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15 to 22+ year old students at the following levels:
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High School with a technology emphasis
Community colleges
Technology, vocational schools
The following gaps make the leap into MCTS very hard for these
students:
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They do not have the prerequisite skills and knowledge to successfully pursue an
MCTS
The overall investment (training + exams) is more than what they can afford
MCTS requires a career path commitment that most students do not have at an early
stage
The nearest testing center may be far away from their school
MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATE (MTA)
Advanced Series
MTA―the first step in the
Microsoft Technology
Certification Series
The Microsoft Certified Architect program allows
companies to easily identify experienced, trusted, IT
architects that have completed a rigorous industrydriven peer validation process.
The Microsoft Certified Masters program allows
companies to easily identify experienced, trusted, IT
experts that have demonstrated mastery of a product
through hands on lab based testing.
Professional Series
Microsoft Professional certifications
validate a comprehensive and
current set of skills required to be
successful in the job, providing a
reliable indicator of performance.
Technology Series
Microsoft Technology Specialist
certifications let you target specific
Microsoft technologies and
validate in-depth skills for working
with those technologies.
Microsoft Technology Associate validates the
fundamental knowledge essential for students to
succeed with continued studies and to start
building a successful career in technology.
IT Pro Title Topics
Windows Server Administration Fundamentals
 Understanding server installation
 Understanding server roles
 Understanding Active Directory
 Understanding storage
 Understanding server performance management
 Understanding server maintenance
Networking Fundamentals
 Understanding network infrastructures
o Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, WAN, wireless,
topologies, access methods
 Understanding network hardware
o Switches, routers, media types
 Understanding protocols and services
o OSI model, IPv4, IPv6, names resolution, networking
services, TCP/IP
Security Fundamentals
 Understanding security layers
 Understanding operating system security
 Understanding network security
 Understanding security software
Development Title Topics
Database Administration Fundamentals
Web Development Fundamentals
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Understanding core database concepts
Creating database objects
Manipulating data
Understanding data storage
Administering a database
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Programming web applications
Working with data and services
Troubleshooting and debugging web
applications
Working with client-side scripting
Configuring and deploying web applications
Windows Development Fundamentals
Software Development Fundamentals
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Understanding Windows programming basics
Creating Windows Forms applications
Creating WPF applications
Creating Windows Services applications
Accessing data in a Windows Forms
application
Deploying Windows application
Understanding core programming
Understanding object-oriented programming
Understanding general software development
Understanding web applications
Understanding desktop applications
Understanding databases
Purchasing Exams
 Individual vouchers or exam inventory for all 3 programs discussed
 IC3 and MTA Site Licensing is offered
o Benefits of Site License
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One time per year purchase (fixed cost helps with budgeting
Removes price barrier on purchasing individual exams so ALL students and faculty can certify
Flexibility for schools to implement across educational programs
Opens up funding opportunities (Perkins)
Program Implementation Guide
Provides reporting of students performance via digital transcript
 Contact your Cengage representative for additional information on IC3
 Contact Lori Koehlinger-Troy, for MTA and Strata ([email protected])