Microsoft IT Academy - Blog

As any educator can attest, time flies when you're heads down in the academic year. Just three (short) academic years ago, Microsoft and the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction piloted the first-ever statewide Microsoft IT Academy (ITA) program. The year prior to that, twenty one students and teachers across three school districts achieved Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification. By the end of the first academic year--with high schools across the state enrolled in the ITA program--the number jumped to 8,794 certifications earned by students. This month, near the end of the program's third year, I am thrilled to share with you that North Carolina teachers and students have achieved a monumental milestone...

Welcome to our weekly round-up of news, events and opportunities for IT Academy members. Events Last Chance to Register for May 23rd ITA Webinar What : May Webinar – the Last IT Academy Webinar for the academic year When : May 23 rd from 8-9am PST Where : Streaming online from the convenience of your computer Why : Keep up with program updates and new opportunities for members. As the last webinar of the 2012-3 academic session, we’ll brief you on the program roadmap for the coming year—critical information you need to optimize your curriculum next year. How : The May IT Academy webinar is scheduled for May 23 rd from 8-9am PST. Register today using your IT Academy ID . Benefit Spotlight New! Earn Your Microsoft...

Research shows that innovative teaching practices, along with the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT), supports student acquisition of 21st century skills. Those skills can mean the difference between being successful in school, or struggling every day; and having a career, or simply getting a job. The Microsoft Teaching with Technology curriculum—hosted by Microsoft IT Academy and Microsoft Partners in Learning—supports educators' professional development as they seek to integrate ICT into their teaching and learning. The program includes self-assessment tools, online learning curriculum and summative assessments which align to the Technology Literacy Approach of the UNESCO ICT Competency Framework for Teachers...

Welcome to our weekly round-up of news, events and opportunities for IT Academy members. Benefit Spotlight MTA Certification: Students’ Encouraging First Step into Technology Does your IT Academy program offer Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification? If not, now’s a good time to consider offering this recommended entry point into IT certification and job preparation. MTA is an optional industry-recognized certification for those pursuing a career path in IT infrastructure, database design, or software development using Microsoft technologies. Students must pass just one exam to achieve certification, giving them an encouraging first step toward a career in technology. For IT Academy participants, MTA enhances...

Welcome to our weekly round-up of news, events and opportunities for IT Academy members. Events Three Reasons to Register for the May 23rd IT Academy Webinar The monthly IT Academy webinar is one of the best ways to keep up with program updates and new opportunities for members. Why should you register today for the May session? 1. It’ll help you prepare for the 2014 academic year . As the last webinar of the 2012-3 academic session, we’ll brief you on the program roadmap for the coming year—critical information you need to optimize your curriculum next year. 2 . You’ll gain valuable insight into the program . The member webinars are led by the Microsoft technology and academic team developing new technology...

Welcome to our weekly round-up of news, events and opportunities for IT Academy members. Events April 25 th IT Academy Webinar Now Available On Demand This month’s Microsoft IT Academy webinar, Best Practices from IT Academy Members around the World , is now available on demand with your IT Academy ID . The webinar showcases unique concepts coming out of the UK just in time for summer school planning, as well as an inspirational story from a business teacher who helped a high school student gain broad recognition for skills achieved through the IT Academy program. Register Now for the May IT Academy Webinar Registration is open for the last IT Academy webinar of this academic session, scheduled for May 23 rd from 8-9am PST...

This week’s guest blogger is Cathy Bradshaw, Business Education teacher at Hamilton County High School. Cathy shares how the IT Academy program has enabled seventh graders to earn industry certification, prepare for college and careers and boost self-confidence to achieve more every day . My name is Cathy Bradshaw. I am the Business Education teacher at Hamilton County High School. I teach Information & Communications Technology - Essentials I, Computer Applications in Business, Computing for College and Careers, and Digital Design I, II, & III. I work under the leadership and administration of Karen Mitchell (CTE Director), Waylon Bush (Site Administrator) and Thomas Moffses (Superintendent). Our school serves students...

Keith Loeber is the Director of the IT Academy Program for Microsoft Learning. He and his team oversee the strategy, benefits, operations, and policies for the program. An 18-year Microsoft veteran, Keith has spent the last several years in education with the majority of his career focusing on training and certification. Most teaching models in high school and college follow the age-old standard: first, lecture the students, telling them what they need to know; then, send the students home to apply what was taught to a project or a paper. This approach was developed in the days when the educator was the only source of knowledge, before mass-produced books, the internet, eBooks, computers, multimedia and mobile devices made it possible...

Infographic: The Skills Gap in Cloud Technology With a projected 7 million unfilled cloud-related jobs by 2015, IT Academy plays an increasingly important role in preparing the next generation of cloud-trained professionals. Check out the new IT Academy infographic that spotlights the importance of helping your students prepare for opportunities in the cloud. Bridging the IT Gender Gap In a compelling new video, Microsoft Research shares insight into the critical need for a diverse IT workforce—and the opportunities to engage young women in computer science and include them in the talent pipeline. Watch this video to learn more about the growing need to involve young women in future technology careers. Education Events ...

Check out the infographic below--compiled from a recent IDC survey of more than 600 global hiring managers--that demonstrates the impact that cloud technology is having on a global job market and the demand for cloud-trained IT workers. With a projected 7 million cloud-related jobs by 2015, Microsoft IT Academies can help to prepare the next generation of cloud-trained professionals. [ Download and share a PDF of this infographic ]

In a compelling new video, Microsoft Research shares insight into the critical need for a diverse IT workforce—and the opportunities to engage young women in computer science and include them in the talent pipeline. This is a great video to share with your students to showcase opportunities for women and the importance of driving technological innovations forward. Microsoft IT Academy provides the curriculum, training and certifications that can help introduce young women to technology and encourage them to pursue skills and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) disciplines.

Welcome to our weekly review of news and events for Microsoft IT Academy members. Teacher Testimonial: Advancing Middle School Students with Certification Last week, Stephanie Boyett, a Microsoft IT Academy teacher at Ferry Pass Middle School in Pensacola, Florida was our guest blogger and shared how her middle school students are benefiting from certification. Learn more about the difference certification is making to her young students. Microsoft Innovative Expert Educator Program The Innovative Expert Educator Program is Microsoft's exclusive one year program, created to recognize pioneering educators globally who are using technology to transform education. Learn more about the program and how to apply. New MOS Exams...

Microsoft Innovative Educator Program, responsible for helping teachers incorporate technology into the classroom, is launching a new program; the Innovative Expert Educator! This exclusive, one year program has been created to recognize pioneering educators globally who are using technology to transform education. Innovative Expert Educators will have access to technology, specialized professional development, and will receive an all-expense paid trip to the Partners in Learning Global Forum. All innovative teachers are invited to apply at www.pil-network.com/expert . Would you like to become an Innovative Expert Educator or do you know someone in your school or community who fits the description? Share the news with an amazing educator...

Professor James G. Lengel, Hunter College School of Education, New York In March 2013, Microsoft introduced the new Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) 2013 exams, a new format that improves the testing experience by enabling even more real-world functionality and project-based outcome testing. How does this change the testing experience? James G. Lengel, professor at the Hunter College School of Education in New York, shares his experience preparing students for the new MOS exams. As rumored, the new format for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exams is a complete departure from anything that's been used before. You are given a blank document, and shown a picture of sample document, and must reproduce that document...

Stephanie Boyett, Microsoft IT Academy Teacher, Ferry Pass Middle School, Pensacola, Florida, USA Stephanie Boyett, Microsoft IT Academy teacher at Ferry Pass Middle School in Pensacola, Florida shares how her middle school students are embracing certification and how IT Academy resources enrich her lesson plans. First, I want to thank Microsoft for the opportunity to be a member of the Microsoft IT Academy. To date, 55 Ferry Pass Middle School students have earned over 120 individual Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) industry certifications in Word 2010, PowerPoint 2010, and Outlook 2010, due in large part to the resources of the Microsoft IT Academy! Is MOS Industry Certification a Good Fit for Middle School Students?...

Welcome to our weekly review of news and events for Microsoft IT Academy members. Microsoft IT Academy Public Website Has Been Redesigned We hope you agree that the newly designed website provides clear messaging on the value of Microsoft IT Academy as told through the voice of the customers on video. You will notice that the “Benefits” page features a cost comparison that really drives home the low cost/high value of the IT Academy program. Check out the student videos on the “Certification” page and hear how certification is integral to bridging the skills gap. The navigation on the “Become a Member” page has been simplified and the purchase process is easier than ever. Check it Out! Be sure...

Professor James G. Lengel, Hunter College, City University New York This week’s guest blogger is James G. Lengel, professor at Hunter College School of Education, City University New York. Today, he shares Brazil’s practical approach to combatting the high school dropout rate and their efforts to prepare students for the workforce with 21 st century skills. Brazil's economy has been growing by 5% per year for the last decade, surpassing the United Kingdom (England) as the world's fifth largest economy. The United States and Europe are experiencing very limited growth. Brazil’s middle class is growing, jobs abound, and this largest of South America's emerging nations is taking its place among the...

This week’s guest blogger is Jason Majors, the Internet Marketing Academy Instructor at Escambia High School in Pensacola, Florida, USA. Jason shares with us how IT Academy tools enhance learning for students at all levels, allowing his students to achieve a 75% certification rate the first year with IT Academy. Jason Majors, , Internet Marketing Academy Instructor Escambia High School, Pensacola, Florida, USA The Microsoft IT Academy has been a great asset to Escambia High School both for me, as a teacher, and for my students. As any teacher will say, the job of teaching is more difficult than ever before and constantly changing. Teachers are faced with challenges such as differentiating instruction...

Welcome to the weekly review of news, events, and opportunities for Microsoft IT Academy. Virginia Statewide IT Academy, Best Practice The Virginia Department of Education has created the Virginia Microsoft IT Academy website to build awareness around their statewide IT Academy. The site features the program overview, benefits, and provides guidance to teachers on how to implement the program in their classrooms. IT Academy Community members are also provided a legislative report, giving them a clear understanding of the background, goals, and progress of the program. IT Academies throughout Virginia are also highlighted on an interactive map. Microsoft IT Academy Monthly Webcast Recap The March ITA Monthly Webcast is now available...

We recently shared Microsoft-sponsored research that revealed a growing gap in cloud technology and the impact on global businesses struggling to fill critical job openings. A new survey by CareerBuilder examines skills gaps in the 10 largest world economies, confirming that IT and engineering jobs are the most difficult positions to fill, and reinforcing the effect these vacancies have on the bottom line. Read the article on the Workbuzz blog and the infographic for additional results from CareerBuilder's global skills gap survey, and learn how Microsoft IT Academies can help bridge the skills gap by providing the skills students need to be successful in college and careers.

Welcome to the weekly review of news, events, and opportunities for Microsoft IT Academy. Dr. John Barge, Georgia State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge Talks about Georgia’s Statewide Microsoft IT Academy Recently, Dr. John Barge was our guest blogger and shared the importance of the IT Academy and Georgia state partnership and why he worked to launch it statewide. Technology revolutionized the business world, but it has also shifted how teachers reach students. As educators, we are no longer the great purveyors of information because students do not need us for facts. Most students have a device in their hand or have access to a device, which means they can get the information they...

Dr. John Barge, Georgia State School Superintendent IT Academy is now offered in all Georgia high schools, offering students new access to digital learning and certifications. Our guest blogger, Dr. John Barge, Georgia State School Superintendent, shares the value the program brings to schools and employers across the state. Technology revolutionized the business world, but it has also shifted how teachers reach students. As educators, we are no longer the great purveyors of information because students do not need us for facts. Most students have a device in their hand or have access to a device, which means they can get the information they need with the click of a button. But we serve a more important role: we teach students...

Dedication is a word that gets used frequently when describing Microsoft IT Academy teachers and their students. This week’s post is brought to us by W. Lynn Fedor, Microsoft IT Academy Instructor and Business Law Facilitator at Northeast Guilford High School in McLeansville, North Carolina. We hope you enjoy reading Lynn's insight and passion about the benefits Microsoft Certifications have on a student's future. W. Lynn Fedor - Microsoft IT Academy Instructor & Business Law Facilitator, Northeast Guilford High School When I accepted the challenge to pilot the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification program for our school district it was two days before the students were set to...

Our friends at the Microsoft UK Schools Blog cover a range of subjects for technology educators in UK schools. This week, the team shared a round up of Office 365 deployment and training resources available exclusively to IT Academy members. Rosanna Godfrey writes in her post " Microsoft IT Academy & Office 365 -- school guide for successful training ": Whether you're upgrading from Live@EDU or starting out on Office 365 the good news is that if your school has an IT Academy subscription, then you have access to the Office 365 training material and the ability to gain a Microsoft certification. Through using the IT Academy, your organisation’s IT staff can be completely proficient in Office 365; meaning they...

Are you an instructor for Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification exams? Microsoft would like your feedback on the MTA exams. If you’d like to help us define the knowledge and skills that will be measured on MTA exams in these content areas, please send us your syllabi. The Microsoft Certification Exams team’s goal is to ensure that the Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) exams are relevant and reflective of the fundamental knowledge and skills being taught in classrooms. We would like to review your syllabi for courses that cover the following content areas: IT infrastructure (Windows operating systems, Windows Server, networking, security, cloud computing, etc.) Database (design, administration, etc...