November, 2012

Power their Future
  • Thanks to everyone who joined us yesterday for our IT Academy Virtual Event! The turnout was fantastic, and we’re thrilled for the opportunity to gather and share all of the latest program benefits, member activities, and upcoming opportunities with the community. If you missed the event, you haven’t missed out—you can tune in to a recording of the event by logging in with your member ID at the IT Academy Event portal

    Here’s a quick recap of the topics discussed:

    • We unveiled two new Teacher Starter Kits to assist educators in implementing Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) and Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) in the classroom. Each kit includes  valuable training resources and an annual batch of exam vouchers for educator professional development. By earning a Microsoft certification, educators are equipped with the knowledge to train the next generation of business and technology professionals.  
    • We introduced updates to the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) program, providing an overview of new curriculum materials—new Microsoft Official Academic Courses (MOAC), lesson plans and E-Reference, and hands-on projects and e-learning opportunities—as well as new certification paths.
    • The Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) program is the first step to explore IT. We walked members through the latest training materials and certifications available to IT Academy program members. Be sure to visit the member site to access the MOAC courses, Exam Review Kit and Student Study Guides. And watch the recorded presentation to learn how other IT Academy members have successfully implemented both the MTA and MOS programs in the classroom.
    • We also unveiled the new IT Academy Certification Roadmap, previewed last week on the blog, and shared tips to help ensure success in your program.
    • Accreditation enables students to earn college credit by becoming certified in Microsoft technologies—and IT Academy is one of the few IT programs that provides accreditation to member institutions. The member website provides information to get started.

    Again, thanks to everyone for participating—and keep checking the  IT Academy blog for updates.

    Events

    Learning Re-Imagined: Vision for Student Success
    December 11, 2012

    Educational organizations of all sizes are being challenged to find the silver bullet.  The silver bullet for teaching and learning; the silver bullet for remediation; the silver bullet for budgets.  Microsoft and the Center for Digital Education are partnering to host a virtual conference to address these issues, provide a new vision for teaching and learning and illustrate how that translates to the ultimate goal - student success.

    In this free virtual conference, you will get the opportunity to connect real-time with industry experts as well as obtain practical examples and real advice to help you understand what pressures exist for educators and what can be done to solve them.

    Learn more and register today

    More Education News from Microsoft

    •  Exciting news! Microsoft has renewed its commitment to education with a US$250 million investment. This commitment reinforces the value that programs like Microsoft IT Academy offer to students and teachers around the world. Bill Gates talks with Anthony Salcito about the renewed commitment on the DailyEdventures blog.
    • Anthony Salcito, Vice President of Microsoft Education, guest authored an article on Forbes about the need for private sector to invest more in teachers directly and in partnership with public sector to improve graduation rates and, ultimately, help spark the nation’s economy and global competitiveness. Tech outlets Neowin and Ubergizmo also wrote on the program renewal.
    • On the Microsoft in Education blog, Anthony Salcito shared a recap of the Partners in Learning Global Forum in Prague. 

    Follow IT Academy on Twitter

    The IT Academy Twitter channel is now live! Follow us to get up-to-the-minute news from IT Academy in your Twitter feed. 

  • As we conclude a short holiday work week, we lead a special edition of the weekly wrap up with a timely story on the transformative power of education and technology. 

    Goodwill in Our Hearts

    In 2009, a letter to a Johannesburg, South Africa-based radio station set in motion a life-changing series of events, starting with an eponymous journey from Microsoft certification to a new life. Discover how one man's story inspired Microsoft to donate 5,000 Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification exams. Microsoft Learning GM Lutz Ziob introduces the story of Goodwill Khuzwayo, told in his own words: http://aka.ms/GoodwillStory.

    Microsoft IT Academy Launches in 450 Chilean Schools 

    This past Friday, November 16, Chile's Ministry of Education, Harald Bayer, and Microsoft Chile General Manager Luiz Marcelo announced a new national initiative aimed at equipping high school students with crucial computer skills to better prepare for the job market. The Microsoft IT Academy program will launch in 450 schools nationwide, providing hundreds of thousands of students with the tools for career success. Read about the initiative in the Santiago Times.  

    Events

    Microsoft IT Academy Virtual Event
    November 29, 2012

    The next Microsoft IT Academy Virtual Event is right around the corner. Join fellow members on November 29, 2012 for a 1-hour session on the newest benefits released within the program. We'll walk you through the new courses and exams available for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, provide you a certification roadmap you can use to help facilitate career conversations with your students, and more.  

    Have your Microsoft IT Academy ID ready for this exclusive event when you register here.

    Partners in Learning Global Forum 2012
     November 28 - December 1, 2012

    Microsoft Partners in Learning celebrates the world's most innovative educators and school leaders for bringing technology to life in the classroom and impacting millions of students. Microsoft Partners in Learning hosts national and regional events throughout the year that recognize innovative educators and school leaders. These competitions culminate in the Partners in Learning Global Forum.

    This year’s Global Forum will take place in Prague, Czech Republic from November 28 - December 1, 2012. The Global Forum – with the theme, “Your ideas matter” – will bring together more than 500 of the most innovative teachers, school leaders, education leaders, and government officials from 75 countries.

    Learn more about this year's event

    More Education News from Microsoft

    Follow IT Academy on Twitter

    The IT Academy Twitter channel is now live! Follow us to get up-to-the-minute news from IT Academy in your Twitter feed. 

  • With the growth in cloud computing, it's an exciting time to be teaching the next generation of IT professionals and developers.  In a recent study, IDC estimated that, in the last year alone, cloud computing helped organizations generate more than $400 billion in revenue and 1.5 million new jobs. In the next four years, the number of new jobs will surpass 8.8 million.

    Candidates for Microsoft certifications—and the organizations who will employ them—are indicating a higher demand for cloud services as part of their qualifications. To accommodate these changes, Microsoft recently reinvented certifications for “cloud-ready” IT professionals and developers. The certifications are now tiered in three levels—Associate, Expert, and Master. And the flagship certification—the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) now focuses on the depth and breadth needed for cloud, on-premise and hybrid solutions.


    A Visual View of Microsoft IT Academy Certifications
    To help you understand how to guide your students through the new certification paths, we have created an infographic that provides a visual view of five reinvented certification paths. Click here to download the infographic (PDF, 127kb).

     A visual view of the Microsoft IT Academy Certification roadmap. Click to download the high-resolution PDF.

    • The Business Path: Microsoft Office Specialist certification demonstrates that an individual is proficient in the Microsoft Office suite and has the most up-to-date skills. Becoming a Microsoft Office Specialist helps increase everyday productivity while providing the tools to succeed in a technology-driven world.

    • The Client Path: Getting certified on the Windows operating system can help your students expand career goals. In today’s increasingly complex IT environment, a Windows certification helps prove to customers and employers that they have the technical skills necessary to do the job.
       
    • The Server Path: Windows Server 2012 takes a big step in the areas of virtualization, networking, storage, and user experience. Certification validates students’ expertise in designing, implementing, configuring, or managing a Windows Server infrastructure or desktops and devices. Students can advance to earn either the MCSE: Server Infrastructure certification or the MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure certification.
       
    • The Database Path: The data explosion is happening at every level of the business—across devices, applications, and individual roles. Becoming certified on Microsoft SQL Server proves students’ knowledge and skills in designing, building, and maintaining the next wave of cloud-ready database and information solutions. Two MCSE certifications are available for SQL Server 2012: 
      • An MCSE: Data Platform certification demonstrates indispensable expertise to build enterprise-scale data solutions on-premises or in the cloud. 
      • Students can showcase skills in developing and deploying visually rich business intelligence solutions and reports by earning an MCSE: Business Intelligence certification.
         
    • The Development Path: Organizations demand beautiful, elegant apps that are alive with activity. This certification path demonstrates your students’ expertise at designing and developing the fast and fluid Windows 8 apps by earning Windows Store Apps and Web App certifications. There are two paths to achieving Windows Store Apps certification—using HTML5 or C#—as well as a separate path for Web Apps.
    Boost Your Students' Potential
    If you haven't yet integrated Microsoft Certification into your curriculum, now's a great time to get started. Microsoft IT Academy Program members are eligible to receive academic pricing on select Microsoft Certification exams for their students, educators, and support staff.  Educators at institutions who are IT Academy Program members can stay current with the IT industry by becoming certified in the Microsoft technology about which they teach. Students who obtain a Microsoft Certification to augment their academic achievements may have an edge when entering into the IT workforce. 

    Visit the Certification section on the IT Academy website for full certification exams and offers, and sign in to the member portal for additional help getting started. 

  • Welcome to the pre-holiday edition of the IT Academy weekly round-up. This week, we're announcing new beta exams, reminding you of two rapidly-approaching events, and sharing news from the Microsoft education network.   

    Training & Certification 

    Exams for SharePoint Server 2013 and Lync Server 2013 now available in beta! 

    Exams are now available in beta worldwide for Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013:

    Exam 73-331: Core Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013
    Exam 73-332: Advanced Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013

    These exams validate your students’ expertise in helping a company organize, sync, collaborate, and share information across the organization. They count the same as live exams toward Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): SharePoint

    Also now LIVE and available are these Microsoft Lync Server 2013 exams:

    Exam 73-336: Core Solutions of Microsoft Lync Server 2013
    Exam 73-337: Enterprise Voice & Online Services with Microsoft Lync Server 2013

    Passing these exams validate your students’ expertise in creating a consistent communications experience for their future employer and connecting co-workers to hundreds of millions of people around the world.  These exams count toward Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Communication.

    Events 

    Microsoft IT Academy Virtual Event
    November 29, 2012

    The next Microsoft IT Academy Virtual Event is right around the corner. Join fellow members on November 29, 2012 for a 1-hour session on the newest benefits released within the program. We'll walk you through the new courses and exams available for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, provide you a certification roadmap you can use to help facilitate career conversations with your students, and more.  

    Have your Microsoft IT Academy ID ready for this exclusive event when you register here.

    Partners in Learning Global Forum 2012
     November 28 - December 1, 2012

    Microsoft Partners in Learning celebrates the world's most innovative educators and school leaders for bringing technology to life in the classroom and impacting millions of students. Microsoft Partners in Learning hosts national and regional events throughout the year that recognize innovative educators and school leaders. These competitions culminate in the Partners in Learning Global Forum.

    This year’s Global Forum will take place in Prague, Czech Republic from November 28 - December 1, 2012. The Global Forum – with the theme, “Your ideas matter” – will bring together more than 500 of the most innovative teachers, school leaders, education leaders, and government officials from 75 countries.

    Learn more about this year's event. 

    More Education News from Microsoft

    Follow IT Academy on Twitter

    The IT Academy Twitter channel is now live! Follow us to get up-to-the-minute news from IT Academy in your Twitter feed. 


  • The Microsoft IT Academy is thrilled to announce the new Getting Started Center on the ITA member website! Think of this as the “Do-It-Yourself” center that can help you get up and running on all the benefits the IT Academy offers. Specific information is available for ITA program audiences: 

    • Program Administrator: Learn about your role and opportunities as the IT Academy Program Administrator for your institution.
    • Teacher/Educator: Explore the IT Academy benefits that will help you succeed as an educator.
    • IT Director: Learn about your role and opportunities as the IT Academy IT Director for your institution.

    The Getting Started Center contains information on each role, responsibilities and links to specific program resources. Visit this new page today to learn more about the benefits that will be most helpful to you as it relates to your job role.

  • As a member of IT Academy, you receive full access to curriculum materials for teaching technology courses, trainer resources to expand and integrate your technical skills, academic pricing on Microsoft Official Courseware (MOC) and Microsoft Certification exams and more. Help your students gain 21st century technology skills by fully utilizing your membership benefits.

    We continually update the IT Academy member website with new resources to help you fully take advantage of your membership benefits. Check in frequently to look for new or updated benefits, including the following:

    Getting Started

    Microsoft Curriculum

    • Microsoft Digital Literacy curriculum
    • Microsoft E-Learning curriculum
    • Ready-to-use, customizable lesson plans.
    • E-reference provides digital access for educators
    • The Microsoft Official Academic Course (MOAC)
    • Microsoft Official Courseware (MOC)

    Professional Development for faculty, teachers and instructors

    • Teaching with Technology Curriculum
    • Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE)
    • Teacher Starter Kits
    • Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)

    Microsoft Certifications

    • Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)
    • Microsoft Certifications Solutions Associate/Expert( MCSA and MCSE)

     Also available later this month, you will find a new Certification Data Sheet that outlines Microsoft Certifications by technology tracks.

    Marketing Resources and Partnership

    • Easy to use private member website
    • Online Microsoft IT Academy locator
    • Microsoft IT Academy Social Media – blog and Twitter
    • Virtual Events for Members
    • Newsletters
    • Certification of Completion
    • Marketing materials
    • Marketing campaigns and special offers
    • Microsoft Regional Support Center
    • Welcome Kit and online benefit resources

    Whether you are an educator, program administrator or an IT director, the IT Academy Program has resources available to help you take full advantage of your membership. Find more details and unlock your benefits today.

  • In this week's round-up, we'll introduce you to our new Twitter channel, fill you in on new exams, and share news from Microsoft in Education and Partners in Learning.  

    Follow IT Academy on Twitter

    The IT Academy Twitter channel is now live! Follow us to get up-to-the-minute news from IT Academy in your Twitter feed. 

    Training & Certification 

    Start on your MCSE with new Windows Server 2012 exams
    Microsoft is pleased to announce the live publication of these new Windows Server 2012 exams, available at Prometric test centers worldwide. These are the exams for our flagship Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) Certification:

    These exams count as credit toward MCSE: Server Infrastructure.

    These exams count as credit toward MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure.

    MCSE Messaging Certification and Exams

    Exchange 2013 is part of the new version of Microsoft Office, making it easy for people to stay connected, access files anytime, and maintain messaging security. An MCSE Messaging Certification provides a student the skills to help validate the ability to move a company’s communications to the cloud, increase user productivity and flexibility, reduce data loss, and improve data security for an organization. The required exams, 73-341 and 73-342 are now available in beta. The Beta exams will be testing on the Preview versions of the software.

    First Look Clinics for Lync Server 2013 and SharePoint 2013

    Now available: First Look Clinics on Microsoft Lync Server 2013 and Microsoft SharePoint 2013:

    These clinics are a great way to discover the new features and functions of these products.

    Events 

    Microsoft IT Academy Virtual Event
    November 29, 2012

    The next Microsoft IT Academy Virtual Event is right around the corner. Join fellow members on November 29, 2012 for a 1-hour session on the newest benefits released within the program. We'll walk you through the new courses and exams available for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, provide you a certification roadmap you can use to help facilitate career conversations with your students, and more.  

    Have your Microsoft IT Academy ID ready for this exclusive event when you register here.

    Partners in Learning Global Forum 2012
     November 28 - December 1, 2012

    Microsoft Partners in Learning celebrates the world's most innovative educators and school leaders for bringing technology to life in the classroom and impacting millions of students. Microsoft Partners in Learning hosts national and regional events throughout the year that recognize innovative educators and school leaders. These competitions culminate in the Partners in Learning Global Forum.

    This year’s Global Forum will take place in Prague, Czech Republic from November 28 - December 1, 2012. The Global Forum – with the theme, “Your ideas matter” – will bring together more than 500 of the most innovative teachers, school leaders, education leaders, and government officials from 75 countries.

    Learn more about this year's event. 

    More Education News from Microsoft

    Windows 8 in the Classroom

    On the Microsoft in Education blog, Anthony Salcito vice president of education for Microsoft Corp.’s Worldwide Public Sector organization, offers eight reasons why Windows 8 is great for education.
    Read the article:
     "Why educators, students, and schools will want and love Windows 8". 

    Enrich your curriculum with Learning Activities

    Partners in Learning hosts a library of ready-to-learn classroom activities for all ages and grades, across subjects and supporting technology tools. Visit the Learning Activities center to find an activity for your class. You can even submit your own activity to share with educators around the world. 

    Windows 8 Apps for Good Contest

    Do you have an idea to help people better track their energy usage? Do you want to help students learn math or science? Have an idea about how to track online donations? The Microsoft Citizenship team invites you to show how Windows 8 apps can help the world for a chance to win up to US$15,000. Learn more.

  • As businesses move to the cloud to empower a more mobile, collaborative and productive workforce, the education community is harnessing cloud technology to modernize teaching methods and help prepare students for jobs of the future. 

    Case in point: around the globe, institutions are deploying Office 365 to help students and educators connect and collaborate inside and outside the classroom. Free to academic institutions, Office 365 for education enables staff, teachers and students can access things like lesson plans, class assignments, email and calendar across devices; post lessons on shared class sites, and use Lync to collaborate online. And it works seamlessly with the Microsoft Office programs teachers and students are already familiar with—the programs used in more than 80% of enterprises—helping them to prepare for future careers.

    As a Microsoft IT Academy member, your institution is provided even more benefits: the Office 365 training and certification resources to create a more connected campus today, and the cloud-trained workforce of tomorrow. 

    Office 365 and Microsoft IT Academy: The Power of Productivity, Multiplied

    On any campus, Office 365 expands learning opportunities beyond classroom walls. For Microsoft IT Academy subscribers, your technical staff, teachers and students gain unprecedented access to advanced training and certifications to deploy and administer Office 365 cloud productivity in the workplace. Program components include these certifications, education materials and courses (click for a larger view):

    If your institution is using Office 365 now, we encourage you to incorporate the Office 365 training and certification program above into your curriculum. If you haven’t deployed Office 365 for education, take it for a test drive. Here’s how to get started:

    1. Sign up for a 30-day trial. Explore the features and benefits of Office 365 for up to 50 users.
    2. Verify eligibility. At any time during the trial you can have Microsoft verify your domain’s eligibility for academic prices.
    3. Start using the service. Deploy the free service (A2) to your entire institution or purchase other services.

    Learn more about Office 365 for education: 

  • It's been a busy week at IT Academy! Before we fill you in on the week's events, please take a moment to subscribe to our RSS feed to keep up with updates throughout the week, and stay tuned for the impending launch of our new Twitter feed for more ways to stay connected. 

    Events 

    Microsoft IT Academy Virtual Event
    November 29, 2012

    Join fellow members at the next Microsoft IT Academy Virtual Event scheduled for November 29, 2012.  During this 1-hour session, we’ll share some of the newest benefits released within the program, walk you through the new courses and exams available for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, provide you a certification roadmap you can use to help facilitate career conversations with your students, and more.  

    Have your Microsoft IT Academy ID ready for this exclusive event when you register here.

    Partners in Learning Global Forum 2012
     November 28 - December 1, 2012

    Microsoft Partners in Learning celebrates the world's most innovative educators and school leaders for bringing technology to life in the classroom and impacting millions of students. Microsoft Partners in Learning hosts national and regional events throughout the year that recognize innovative educators and school leaders. These competitions culminate in the Partners in Learning Global Forum.

    This year’s Global Forum will take place in Prague, Czech Republic from November 28 - December 1, 2012. The Global Forum – with the theme, “Your ideas matter” – will bring together more than 500 of the most innovative teachers, school leaders, education leaders, and government officials from 75 countries.

    Learn more about this year's event. 

    Training & Certification 

    Windows Server 2012 Exams Released

    Microsoft is pleased to announce the live publication of the following Windows Server 2012 exams, now available at Prometric Test Centers worldwide:

    Whether your students are starting or upgrading their certification to MCSA: Windows Server 2012, let them know that your training and these exams will help get them there.

    New First Look Clinics

    Introducing new First Look Clinics for Lync Server 2013 and Microsoft SharePoint 2013:

    These clinics are a great way to learn the new features and functions of these products.

    In the News

    Windows 8: The World is Ready

    The world has been waiting for Windows 8. On October 25, Microsoft delivered with events across the globe, featuring a special event in New York. If you missed the live webcast of the press event, you can watch it on demand, read a recap of the event's highlights, and see how students at Seton Hall University are using Windows 8 tablets, PCs, and phones to collaborate, create, and consume information. 

    Your IT Academy membership provides your students the learning resources and tools to build apps for Windows 8. For instance, DreamSpark offers the latest developer tools, tutorials and technical resources to create Windows 8 apps that can launch careers. And be sure to explore the training courses and exams available to earn Microsoft Certification