IT Academy: High School IT Productivity Training and Certifications

  • Article

Microsoft IT Academy provides High School students the latest IT Productivity Training and Certification solution with numerous resources for use in and out of class and include:

IT Productivity Curriculum

  • E-Learning Portfolio

IT E-Learning multi-media course content on

  • Information worker courses included in Microsoft Office 2010 including Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Access
  • IT Professional courses on Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Exchange Server, and Microsoft SQL Server
  • Developer courses on Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft ASP.NET, Microsoft Visual Studio and Microsoft .NET.

The complete Microsoft E-Learning  course list is at https://www.microsoft.com/education/MSITAcademy/benefits/elearningcourses.mspx. The E-Learning courses are organized into collections and can be used for in-class students teaching, out-of-class student self-learning, or for Educator Professional development, and to garner ideas for the classroom.

  • Lesson Plans and Exam Review Kits

    • Complementing the IT E-Learning multi-media content are the Microsoft IT Academy lesson plans and projects  on the IT Academy website. These Lesson plans and projects help guide the teaching for High School classes.

    • The Exam Review Kits help students evaluate their preparation for the Certification Exams.

  • E-Reference Library

    • E-Reference library subscriptions provide educators with a virtual library of over 120 technology books, through the Safari Online website. Educators can add books to a personal bookshelf, bookmark, make notes, and download chapters to use in the classroom with students, as well as for self-study to expand their professional skills and capabilities.

    • The Safari Online E-Reference Library includes Microsoft Press books on topics including Microsoft Office & Productivity Applications, Microsoft Operating Systems, Microsoft Databases & Reporting Tools, and Microsoft Web Applications & Services.

  • Microsoft Digital Literacy

    • The Microsoft Digital Literacy curriculum provides essential computing skills for learners new to computing  and consists of courses in Computer Basics, The Internet and World Wide Web, Productivity Programs, Computer Security and Privacy, and  Digital Lifestyles (incl. digital media)

    • Includes E-Learning, assessments and a Digital Literacy test so these can be assigned to students for out-of-class learning as well.

  • Microsoft Official Courseware (MOC)

    • Microsoft Official Courseware (MOC) is instructor-led training course developed with Microsoft software product teams and  designed for IT professionals and developers who build, support, and implement technology solutions

    • MOC trainings are available in multiple formats

      • Course: Instructor-led training with lecture and practice with Microsoft software  technologies

      • Workshop: A collaborative, hands-on learning environment based on real-world scenarios

      • Clinic: A detailed how-to presentation of technical information, illustrating features, functions and demonstrations.

      • Seminar: A dynamic presentation of early and relevant information featuring business scenarios, case studies, and success stories

    • MOC can be purchased at discounted academic pricing through distributors listed at https://www.microsoft.com/education/MSITAcademy/benefits/moc.mspx

  • Microsoft Official Academic Course (MOAC) textbooks

    • MOAC textbooks are designed for academic semester/quarter use and provide a rich pedagogical foundation for faculty and students to acquire the latest real-world skills for emerging technical jobs.

    • The MOAC textbook series published by John Wiley and Sons, in partnership with Microsoft include:

      • Market-leading textbook and full coverage of Microsoft Certification exam objectives; lessons with real-world scenarios; and a wealth of hands-on practice exercises

      • Online instructor resource center including course setup ideas, lecture outlines, teaching tips, virtual labs, assessments, PowerPoint slide presentations and instructor guides.

  • Instructor E-Learning Course Management Tool

    • An online course management tool used to create classroom level access codes to E-Learning courses, allowing them to manage class-level messaging, and access usage reporting for each of the classes.

Software

  • Lab Licenses

    • Classroom use Lab licenses to install and run upto 100 of the Microsoft Office Professional and another 100 of Microsoft Windows Operating System, Visual Studio and/or Exchange Server, provided the use of the software is for
    • Solely by IT Academy Program members’ students and instructors in the lab or classroom located at the IT Academy Program member’s facility only,
    • Only for training and instructional purposes when teaching the courseware available under the IT Academy Program,
    • Compliant with the terms of the End-User License Agreement accompanying the software,
    • Compliant with the Global IT Academy Program Guide and the Agreement under which the IT Academy Program subscription was purchased, and
    • All software is a valid licensed copy of the Microsoft software.

The Microsoft TechNet subscription provides IT resources, whitepapers, etc on the latest technical solutions from Microsoft technologies.

Certifications

  • Microsoft Certifications

    • Academic discount pricing on select 073 Microsoft Certification exams for ITA students, educators and support staff.

    • Microsoft certification exams provide the endorsements for the IT industry, stressing both  the technical knowledge and real-world experience, and are designed to:

      • Validate technical knowledge and skills
      • Provide a competitive edge in the job market
      • Offer visible demonstration of commitment to the IT profession
      • Demonstrate a reliable benchmark in addition to a certificate or degree
      • Enable a career development path for ongoing advancement of Microsoft technology skills

  • Testing Center

    • ITA can offer Microsoft Certification exams on campus by becoming a Prometric and/or Certiport testing center and offering on-site exam testing for students and faculty.

  • Microsoft Certified Trainer program

    • Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs) are the premier technical and instructional experts in Microsoft software, technologies, and solutions. The MCT program provides tools, resources, and other benefits to help educators build, maintain, and prove their expertise on Microsoft software and technologies, as well as help them prepare for, teach, and support blended learning solutions.
    • The MCT program enrollment fee for one qualified faculty member is included and discounts are available for additional qualified faculty members seeking MCT certification. MCTs meet high initial and ongoing certification requirements and enjoy access to many benefits:
      • Access to the complete library of Official Microsoft Learning Products
      • Substantial discounts on exams, books, and Microsoft products
      • Members-only newsgroups and online community resources
      • Invitations to exclusive events and programs

For more information about the Microsoft Certified Trainer program, please visit:www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mct

Marketing Benefits

  • Differentiate your institution as a provider of top-quality education on cutting-edge Microsoft technologies and promote your academic institution as an IT Academy Program member using market-ready resources such as:

    • The Microsoft IT Academy Program Welcome Kit, which includes a membership plaque and posters for you to display in your halls and classrooms.
    • Access a wide array of marketing materials available for download from our marketing collateral page, including various brochures, program logo, posters, flyers, and email templates.
    • Testimonial videos created by other IT Academy Program members discussing how they get the most out of the IT Academy program, which resources they find most useful, and how they help their students succeed after graduation.
    • Placement in the public IT Academy locator tool, which allows prospective students to find their local Microsoft IT Academy Program members. This referral service helps connect your academic institution to students, local industries, and the community.
    • A monthly newsletter that delivers the latest IT Academy Program updates, information about new marketing opportunities, and helpful educator and student resources right to your desktop. Subscribe to the IT Academy member newsletter.

Please direct any questions via e-mail to Acadsupp@microsoft.com, or phone at 1-800-508-8454 Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (PST).

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