2011 STEMtech CONFERENCEIndianapolis, IN

*NEW* MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY

ASSOCIATE (MTA) CERTIFICATIONSFOR IT STUDENTS

Debora A. Collins, Microsoft Certified Learning Consultant Certiport, Inc.

M.S. Curriculum & Instruction, Brigham Young University-1985 Minor: Computer Science M.S., B.S. Oregon State University – 1980, 1983 Microsoft Certified Learning Consultant (MCLC) Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) Post-Secondary Teaching Experience: Computer Science, Weber State University, Utah Computer Networking & Security, ITT Technical Institute, Utah Several Private Technical Schools

PRESENTED BY

WHO AND WHAT IS CERTIPORT?

Certiport delivers exams

in 142 countries and 24 languages

Exams include:Adobe

AutoDeskCompTIA

IntuitMicrosoft

The world leader in performance-based certification exams and practice tests for academic institutions and corporate markets

Over 2 million exams are

administered annually at 10,000 Certiport

Authorized Testing Centers

worldwide (1 million are MOS exams)

Certiport manages a

sophisticated portfolio of

leading practice test

and certification

programs

Certiport works with

more than 400 subject matter experts in 20 countries to ensure exam

objectives are consistent

with market needs

Certiport is based in

American Fork, Utah

where it has more than 180 employees…

and we’re hiring certified

specialists!

Certiport:

www.certiport.com

• The Value of Industry Certifications• What is MTA?

Comparison to Cisco, Oracle and CompTIA Roadmap to Microsoft certifications The 9 MTA Exams and Available Teaching Resources Northwestern Michigan College’s Success Story

• How to Start a Certification Program Funding an MTA Program 5 Basic Steps to Start

• Rise to the Challenge!

AGENDA

FREE GIFT FOR PARTICIPATING!

At the end of this session submit the paper evaluation and receive a FREE MTA T-shirt!

ACADEMIC SURVEY SAYS…..

According to a survey of 40,000 IT Faculty

½ of their students were not prepared to enter their first technology course.

One in three professors must stray from planned lectures to teach core IT concepts.

The majority agreed that ALL of their students would benefit from a stronger foundation in technology.

Source: “The Importance of Educating IT Students in Technology Fundamentals” [White Paper]. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2011.

35%QUEST FOR TALENT IS ONE OF THE

LEADING CONCERNS AMONG CORPORATE EXECS

GLOBALLY

AMERICAS

48%

41%

EMEA

ASIA/PAC

EMPLOYERS AROUND THE WORLD ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND SKILLED WORKERS

“Employers have long complained

that too many young people leave

college without the employability

skills they are looking for.”

- Deloitte & Touche

A MAJOR BARRIER TO EMPLOYMENT IS THE INABILITY TO APPLY REAL-WORLD SKILLS

“Employers have long complained

that too many young people leave

college without the employability

skills they are looking for.”

- Deloitte & Touche

BREAK THE BARRIER

WITH INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS!

A MAJOR BARRIER TO EMPLOYMENT IS THE INABILITY TO APPLY REAL-WORLD SKILLS

INDUSTRY-ISSUED CERTIFICATE!

Foundation Academics

Combined with

Industry-DefinedSkills

E-learning | Books | Classroom

Industry Exam To Validate Skills

Relevance | Jobs | Career Journey

WHAT IS INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION?

Certification validates effective use of technology, improving performance of Students, Information Workers, and IT professionals – and is proven to increase an individual’s efficiency both in the classroom and on the job.

CERTIFICATION VALIDATES REAL-WORLD PERFORMANCE SKILLS

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) A group of entry-level certifications introduced in 2010 to validate fundamental knowledge of IT or Database Administration, or Software Development. The ideal stepping-stone to more advanced Microsoft certifications. Designed for students new to technology Validates fundamental technology

concepts. Prepares students for advanced IT classes,

MCTS certification, and entry level job experience, such as internships.

Exams are delivered in the classroom Available only to Academic institutions

WHAT IS MTA?

Enhances Your Technology Curriculum Credible credentials designed by Microsoft Cost effective implementation with flexible exam licensing Prepares students to compete in the real-world

Helps Students Explore Their Potential Career exploration Certifications build confidence Joins students to a community of

more than 5 million Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs)

STEP TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGY CAREER

IDC reports a 40% gap in the next five to ten years between demand for, and supply of IT professionals with the right technical skills*.

.

*Source: “Certification at the Entry Level,” Matt Walker, Certification Magazine, July 2008.

Cisco and Oracle Entry-level certifications are designed for professionals with

2-3 years work experience. MTA is designed for students with no work experience.

Exams are not platform-agnostic and only focus on Cisco or Oracle technologies. Except for the Windows specific exams, MTA validates generic fundamental knowledge.

Cisco and Oracle exams are more expensive and are administered via Pearson Vue. MTA exams may be taken online in the classroom using an affordable campus license.

HOW DOES MTA COMPARE TO THE CISCO AND ORACLE ACADEMIES?

CompTIA MTA Exams 98-365: Windows Server Administration

Fundamentals; 98-366: Networking Fundamentals; and 98-367: Security Fundamentals cover similar topics as CompTIA’s Server+, Network+, and Security+ certifications.

A key difference is that CompTIA’s Server+ is vendor-agnostic, while the MTA exam on Windows Server Administration Fundamentals is in the context of Windows Server technology.

Microsoft will continue to accept CompTIA certifications towards legacy MCSE and MCSA certifications., but not the current MCTS, MCIT or MCPD. MTA is the official entry-level certification that serves as a stepping stone towards MCTS.

HOW DOES MTA COMPARE TO COMPTIA?

Associate SeriesFundamental knowledge for students to start building a successful career in technology.

Introducing

Comprehensive set of skills required to be successful on the job.

Professional Series

In-depth skills working with Microsoft technologies.

Technology Series

IT architects who have completed a rigorous industry-driven peer validation process.

IT experts with demonstrated mastery of a product through hands on lab based testing.

Advanced Series

MICROSOFT CERTIFICATION ROADMAP

MCA

MTA

MCM

MCITP or MCPD

MCTS

MTA ROADMAP TO POTENTIAL SALARIES

MTA Builds Careers Students can explore,

discover and plan successful careers

Whether they choose Network Administrator, Software Engineer, Web Developer, or Database Analyst … MTA is the first step!

Sources: Salary.com, March 2011*U.S. Census Bureau, May 2010

Coming Soon...Game Development and Mobile Apps!

98-365: Windows Server Admin. FundamentalsUnderstanding server installationUnderstanding server rolesUnderstanding Active DirectoryUnderstanding storageUnderstanding server performance managementUnderstanding server maintenance

98-366: Networking FundamentalsUnderstanding network infrastructures

o Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, WAN, wireless, topologies, access methods

Understanding network hardwareo Switches, routers, media types

Understanding protocols and serviceso OSI model, IPv4, IPv6, names resolution, TCP/IP

98-367: Security FundamentalsUnderstanding security layersUnderstanding operating system securityUnderstanding network securityUnderstanding security software

Exams were defined based on career tracks with high demand in the industry. Topics were designed by MSL experts and vetted with college instructors.

IT PRO EXAM OBJECTIVES

98-349: Windows Operating System FundamentalsUnderstanding Operating System Configurations Installing and Upgrading Client SystemsManaging ApplicationsManaging Files and FoldersManaging DevicesUnderstanding Operating System Maintenance

98-361: Software Developer FundamentalsUnderstanding core programmingUnderstanding object-oriented programmingUnderstanding general software developmentUnderstanding web applicationsUnderstanding desktop applicationsUnderstanding databases

98-362: Windows Developer FundamentalsUnderstanding Windows programming basicsCreating Windows Forms applicationsCreating WPF applicationsCreating Windows Services applicationsAccessing data in a Windows Forms applicationDeploying Windows application

98-363: Web Developer FundamentalsProgramming web applicationsWorking with data and servicesTroubleshooting and debugging web applicationsWorking with client-side scriptingConfiguring and deploying web applications

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER EXAM OBJECTIVES

98-372: Microsoft.NET FundamentalsUnderstanding .NET Framework ConceptsUnderstanding Namespaces and Classes in

the .NET FrameworkUnderstanding .NET Code CompilationUnderstanding I/O Classes in the .NET

Framework

Exams were defined based on career tracks with high demand in the industry. Topics were designed by MSL experts and vetted with college instructors.

98-364: Database Admin. FundamentalsUnderstanding core database conceptsCreating database objectsManipulating dataUnderstanding data storageAdministering a database

DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR EXAM OBJECTIVES

Exams were defined based on career tracks with high demand in the industry. Topics were designed by MSL experts and vetted with college instructors.

Coming Soon...Game Development and Mobile Apps!

This is what to expect: Exam is delivered online Mix of multiple-choice, simulation, and

scenario test items 50 minute length 30-50 test items Score required to pass is 70% Skills measured are posted on Certiport’s

website

MTA EXAM CHARACTERISTICS

Scenarios you might encounter The perfect fit – your existing course maps exactly to the ODs Just a bit off – course is incomplete for a few OD elements Pieces missing – course completely misses some ODs No alignment at all – but instructor wants to provide MTA

certification opportunity Independent study – Instructor wants to offer MTA as an

independent study or to a small group

*OD = exam Objective Domains

INTEGRATION INTO EXISTING CURRICULA

Developed by MS Learning, each MTA Exam Review Kit is a collection of 20 (50 minute) review lessons covering the topics of each MTA exam. The ERKs are offered as a free digital download to MTA customers.

ERK Overview Lesson objectives with unit scope and sequencing Lesson mappings to the MTA exam objectives

Instructor materials Lesson plans for each day of instruction Presentation slides for each day of instruction Annotated speaker notes for each slide

Content delivery resources including Occasional class demonstrations Occasional interactive whole-class sessions Guides for discussions to foster dialogue about key topics

Student learning materials including Instructor presentation slides In-class exercises (including the code for those exercises) Practical out-of-class homework Labs as appropriate

Student assessment materials End-of-lesson/sub-unit questions and answers

MTA EXAM REVIEW KIT (ERK)

IT Pro Edition, Developer and Database Editions

Download free of charge at: www.certiport.com/mrl

Available in print ready or study ready format

FREE STUDENT STUDY GUIDES

LOOKING FOR MTA SPECIFIC TEXTBOOKS?

John Wiley & Sons Publishing The Microsoft Official Academic Courseware (MOAC) Short, easy to read; may be used stand-alone or to supplement 3 year adoption receives FREE MSDN AA membership!

FREE downloads of all Microsoft operating systems, servers, developer tools by faculty, staff, students for research and teaching purposes.

ONLINE GAME - ARE YOU CERTIFIABLE?

Technical questions that help students prepare for their certification exam. Students choose an avatar, a field of expertise, and compete against an

online community for technical supremacy!

Academic Flexibility Exams can be delivered in any computer lab,

classroom, library, or other facility on any computer connected to the Internet with a faculty to proctor.

In contrast, most certification site licenses in the IT market are restricted to a single computer room.

Academic Pricing (1 year license)* $3,250 up to 500 exams per single campus $2,750 up to 250 exams per single campus $2,500 up to 100 exams per single campus *Single use MTA vouchers are also available for $47 each

MTA CAMPUS EXAM LICENSES

Exam-like questions match objectives Answers with detailed explanations & references Personal study mode, score report and certification

mode - with bookmarkingAcademic Pricing (1 year license includes all titles) $1,795 single campus with unlimited students $ 995 up to 60 users $ 695 up to 30 users $ 375 up to 10 users*Single title, single user is also available for $64 each

MTA PRACTICE TESTS

EDUCATORS – YOU CAN BECOME AN MCT!

Have you ever thought of becoming a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)?

Obtain one or more MOS certifications then complete the MCT application requirements. Dues are $150/yr.

Benefits Include:TechNet Subscription to most Microsoft softwareDownload and license for Camtasia Studio and Snagit Downloads of all Microsoft courseware instructor kitsFree eLearning, discounts on exams and books, other offers

For more info: www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mct.aspx

AN MTA SUCCESS STORY!

Download the related STEMTech session:Sunday: 9:45am – 10:45am“Program Assessment Using Microsoft Technology Associate Certification”Presenter: Keith Kelly , Program Coordinator, Northwestern Michigan College

HOW TO START A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

SEC. 113. ACCOUNTABILITY.(b) STATE PERFORMANCE MEASURES. (2)(B) CORE INDICATORS FOR CTE: POST-SECONDARY…shall include, at a minimum, measures of each ofthe following:(i) “Student attainment of challenging career and technical skill proficiencies, including student achievement on technical assessments, that are aligned with industry-recognized standards, if available and appropriate.”(ii) “Student attainment of an industry-recognized credential, a certificate, or a degree.”

THE PERKINS ACT FUNDS CERTIFICATION

FUNDING INCLUDES TEACHER TRAINING

SEC. 122. STATE PLAN.(c) PLAN CONTENTS. The State plan shall include… (2) …professional development that -(C) “is high quality, sustained, intensive, and focused oninstruction, and increases the academic knowledge and understanding of industry standards, as appropriate, of career and technical education teachers.”

Register an Authorized Testing Center

Acquire required desktop software

Acquire a good textbook

Purchase exams or a site license

Certify your teachers

5 BASIC STEPS TO START A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Register an Authorized Testing Center

Acquire required desktop software

Acquire a good textbook

Purchase exams or a site license

Certify your teachers

Register an Authorized Testing Center

Visit Certiport’s homepage atwww.certiport.com and click the button, “Register a Testing Center”.

Follow the steps to complete the application form .

Your assigned Certiport representative will call you to activate your testing center.

5 BASIC STEPS TO START A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Register an Authorized Testing Center

Acquire required desktop software

Acquire a good textbook

Purchase exams or a site license

Certify your teachers

Acquire the required desktop software

All MTA exams are delivered online, so do not require that the specific server software or developer tool be installed to operate; however you will need software to TEACH the skills and prepare students.

Consider becoming a member of the MSDN Academic Alliance & DreamSpark FREE downloads of all 500+ Microsoft

operating systems, servers and developer tools by faculty, staff and students for research, teaching and learning purposes.

Membership Fee: $499 per year

5 BASIC STEPS TO START A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

http://www.microsoft.com/education/highered/Administrator/MSDNAA/

Register an Authorized Testing Center

Acquire required desktop software

Acquire a good textbook

Purchase exams or a site license

Certify your teachers

Acquire a good textbook

Exam Review Kits (ERKs) are FREE to supplement existing curricula and textbooks.

Student study guides are also available for FREE!

Ask your Certiport representative for more information.

If you want an MTA specific textbook, adopt the MOAC! Includes an MSDN AA

membership

5 BASIC STEPS TO START A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Register an Authorized Testing Center

Acquire required desktop software

Acquire a good textbook

Purchase exams or a site license

Certify your teachers

Obtain individual exams or an exam site licenseAn MTA Campus License is a 1 year subscription that provides either 100, 250 or 500 certification exams.

Applies to any lab, classroom, building or computers within a single campus

Price: $2,500, $2,750, $3,250 respectively

Academic pricing for a single-use MTA exam voucher is $47.

Recommended Add-on Option:Practice tests by MeasureUpPrice varies from $375 to $1,795. Contact Certiport for details.

5 BASIC STEPS TO START A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Register an Authorized Testing Center

Acquire required desktop software

Acquire a good textbook

Purchase exams or a site license

Certify your teachers

Certify your teachers

The teacher is key to the success of your MTA certification program!

Recommend the teacher become certified and take the exam several times to become familiar with the skills expected.

5 BASIC STEPS TO START A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Register an Authorized Testing Center

Acquire required desktop software

Acquire a good textbook

Purchase exams or a site license

Certify your teachers

5 BASIC STEPS TO START A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

• Clearly communicate certification expectations to students and why it’s important

• Empower students to succeed Certified Teacher Course lessons highly correlated to the exam Relevant labs Practice tests

• Students have the right to fail. It’s OK to retest.• Encourage students to compete for high scores!

CHALLENGE THE STUDENTS

Best the Teacher - instructors post their own score reports and offer students a milkshake, or other prize, if they score higher.

Wall of Fame – post student certificates on a the wall. Certification Banquet or Ceremony - invite parents, employers,

and prominent community members, to attend. Media Coverage – submit student names and certifications to

the newspaper. Invite the local TV station to do a story on the school’s certification program, banquet, ceremony, etc.

Local Competition – hold an exam competition on your campus. Articulation Agreements – grant credits and/or waive courses in

lieu of certification. Employment/Internship Agreements – commit local businesses

to intern certified students and hire certified graduates.

MOTIVATION IDEAS THAT WORK

MTA COURSEWARE AND RESOURCES

MTA General Information and Student Study Guides Available free at www.certiport.com/mta

MTA Exam Review Kits, Posters, Campus Licensing Contact your Certiport rep at www.certiport.com

MOAC Textbooks and Practice Tests John Wiley & Sons (textbooks); MeasureUp (practice tests)

“Are You Certifiable (AYC)” Practice Game (no charge online game)

http://www.microsoft.com/click/areyoucertifiable

MSDN Academic Alliance and DreamSpark http://www.microsoft.com/education/highered/Administrator/MSDNAA/

Rise to the Challenge* Wiley Textbooks (1 code, access to all 7 titles) 30 MeasureUp Practice Tests (30 codes, 30 days, 1 app each) 30 MTA Certification Exams (30 codes) *Offer expires December 31, 2011

TRY MTA FOR 30 DAYS - FREE!

TAKE AN EXAM DURING STEMTECH – FREE!

Get Certified at STEMtech Register a timeslot at www.certiport.com/STEMtech2011 Go to the Testing Lab located on the first floor, rm 109. Testing is available during the following hours: Sunday: 9am to 4pm Monday: 9am to 5pm Tuesday: 9am to 5pm

Exams AvailableMicrosoft Technology Associate (all seven exams). Also, Microsoft Office, QuickBooks, Autodesk, Adobe, CompTIA Strata and IC3.

For details, see pg. 11 in your Conference Program!

To learn more about MTA certification:

http://www.certiport.com

Visit Exhibitor Booth #206

Thank You!Copyright © 2011 Certiport Corporation. All rights reserved. Certiport and the Certiport Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Certiport Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

This document is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as advertising. All warranties relating to the information in this document, either express or implied, are disclaimed to the maximum extent allowed by law. The information in this document is subject to change without notice.

Debora A. CollinsEmail: dcollins@certiport.com

Web : www.certiport.com

Phone: 888.999.9830

Mobile: 801.560.7546

QUESTIONS?

Please submit your paper evaluation to receive a T-shirt!