Welcome to our weekly round-up of news, events and opportunities for IT Academy members.
IT Academy News
Last Chance for a Second ShotIf you have purchased a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) certification exam voucher using the Second Shot offer, be aware that the voucher expires on June 30, 2013. Both the initial exam and, if necessary, the free retake must be completed before that date. For more information, review the Second Shot details on the member site.
A New Look for the IT Academy BlogWe’re excited to introduce a new look for the IT Academy blog. We refreshed the design and navigation to make it easier to catch up on the latest posts and browse the archive. The new, clean reading pane is also easier to get around, and improves the reading experience. We welcome your feedback about the new look—share your thoughts below.
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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 are rapidly approaching 100,000 certifications in Microsoft technologies.
We’ve had the opportunity to share some of the great individual success stories that are contributing to this milestone, and look forward to sharing more news as the state continues to prepare the next generation for technology-focused careers. Hats off to you North Carolina!
This week, North Carolina's PBS affiliate UNC-TV profiled the state's IT Academy program, providing insight into the approach and results at Green Hope High School. Watch the segment on the UNC-TV website.
Watch Tuesday, May 21, 2013 on PBS. See more from NC Now.
Learn more about North Carolina's IT Academy program:
Events
Last Chance to Register for May 23rd ITA Webinar
What: May Webinar – the Last IT Academy Webinar for the academic year When: May 23rd from 8-9am PST Where: Streaming online from the convenience of your computerWhy: 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 23rd from 8-9am PST. Register today using your IT Academy ID.
Benefit Spotlight
New! Earn Your Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) Certification Last week, Microsoft announced the global availability of the Microsoft Certified Educator certification, a valid and reliable assessment of educator ICT competencies mapped to the UNESCO ICT Competency Framework for Teachers (ICT-CFT), Technology Literacy Approach. Learn more about MCE and how the certification offers an opportunity for educators to differentiate themselves in the education field, and enhance their value for current and future employers.
IT Academy in the News
Students are Mastering Microsoft Office at Caloosa Middle School At Caloosa Middle School [Cape Coral, Florida], they still teach reading, writing and arithmetic. But thanks to a tech-savvy squad of sixth through eighth graders, they’ve added Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access to the curriculum. 453 Microsoft Industry Certifications were earned by Caloosa Middle School students during the 2012-2013 school year. Read more.
‘Dedicated and motivated’: Daily Sparks Tribune Profiles 14-year old IT Academy Student Scrolling through a website or playing a video game opens a different world for Darren Alley, a world that isn’t looking for information or trying to simply beat the game. He is looking for errors, things that could be fixed or simply trying to understand what the developer was thinking. Alley, a freshman at Sparks High School, is finishing up his first year in the Microsoft IT Signature Academy while making huge strides in the first-year program. Read more.
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 (UNESCO ICT-CFT).
MCE certification: Demonstrate ICT competency in the classroom
Today, Partners in Learning and Microsoft IT Academy introduce Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) certification, a professional development and certification offering that enables educators to demonstrate competency in integrating ICT into teaching and learning. MCE offers an opportunity for educators to differentiate themselves in the education field, and enhance their value for current and future employers.
We’ve long held that certification is a means of validating proven skills needed to be successful on the job. This year alone students will achieve over one million Microsoft certifications through IT Academy. We are pleased to be bringing that same opportunity to teachers allowing them to showcase their ability to integrate ICT into the classroom.
Measuring effectiveness
An effective and proven assessment tool, the MCE exam measures the ways ICT integration can be used to improve outcomes in six core content areas which align to the UNESCO ICT-CFT:
Improving outcomes
For education administrators, MCE represents a valid and reliable way to measure the effectiveness of their investment in ICT and professional development. Educators holding an MCE certification have the tools and skillsets to break though limitations of geography and resources, and begin to apply their knowledge to provide a rich, customized learning experience for their students.
Microsoft IT Academy’s Teacher Starter Kit Now Includes MCE exams!
Microsoft IT Academy educators' professional development opportunity has expanded! Starting in July, the Teacher Starter Kit will offer ten (10) Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exam vouchers, ten (10) Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) exam vouchers, and ten (10) Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) exams. From mastering Microsoft Office and entry level technology through incorporating technology into classrooms, the Microsoft IT Academy Teacher Starter kit has the breadth of certifications to support educators’ professional development objectives.
Learn more about Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) certification:
Educators on Microsoft Certified Educator certification
“Microsoft Certified Educator provides teachers with a globally recognized certification which is focused on the practical integration of ICT into teaching and learning. As a teacher education provider, we are able to offer teachers the opportunity to get recognition for their use of ICT in the classroom.”—Rose Lawlor, Meath Vocational Education Committee, Ireland
“Microsoft Certified Educator complements our professional development program as it is based on the UNESCO ICT Competency Framework and uses scenarios that deal with the integration of ICT and development of 21st century skills in the classroom.”--Miriam O’Donoghue, City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee, Curriculum Development Unit, Ireland
“MCE is a reliable and highly demanded assessment of teachers ICT competency that allows institutions in charge of teacher retraining programs to evaluate achieved results and optimize financing.”—Svetlana Avdeeva, National Training Foundation, Russia
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 understanding of IT fundamentals and validates core knowledge. The certification fits well into the existing curriculum to bridge the gap to more advanced certifications and gives program participants another impressive accomplishment on their CV.
MTA certification tracks (click to download PDF)
Get to know MTA and how it can enhance your IT Academy program:
Register Today for the May IT Academy Webinar
What: The May IT Academy Webinar When: May 23rd 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: Register today using your IT Academy ID.
Other IT Academy News
Washington State IT Academy Sets Sail on Certification Program
Monroe High School, located at the foothills of the Cascade mountains outside Seattle, just launched its IT Academy certification program in February; but in that short time, 10 students have already earned 14 certifications and are working to complete additional certifications before the end of the school year.
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 courses and learning tools—find out more about our approach and how we’re innovating tools and resources to help your students succeed.
3. Connect with the community. We’ll share how to interact with the member community, helping you discover the ways IT Academies set up students for success around the globe. Tune in for details.
The May IT Academy webinar is scheduled for May 23rd from 8-9am PST. Register today using your IT Academy ID.
April 25th 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.
Video: Microsoft Director of Global IT Academy Visits La Salle College High School
The IT Academy program at La Salle College High School (Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania) pushes the boundaries of innovation on the high school level. Last year, the Student Lab Manager Program was chosen by Microsoft as one of the 100 most innovative technological programs in the United States; and the programs enjoys a high success rate of students certified in Microsoft Server technologies. Keith Loeber, Director of IT Academy, visited the school in mid-April to catch up on the program and share his impressions.
New IT Academies Around the World
Institutions across the globe announced new or forthcoming IT Academies in the last week:
Morehouse College (Atlanta, Georgia, USA). This week, Microsoft and Morehouse College launched the YouthSpark Atlanta program, which will offer free IT skills training to students and educators in Atlanta. The program includes the creation of a Microsoft IT Academy, an Innovation Lab, campus recruitment and leadership training. Learn how the initiative aims to inspire Atlanta-area students to explore careers in technology and business.
Rockdale County Public Schools (Georgia, USA). In the state of Georgia, more than 8,000 open, unfilled jobs require Microsoft technology skills. Rockdale County Public Schools has launched the Microsoft IT Academy in each of its high schools to provide students the opportunity to earn industry recognized credentials before graduating. This program is available to all students in Rockdale County through a partnership with the Georgia Department of Education and Microsoft.
Portage Township Schools (Indiana, USA). The Portgage, Indiana, school district plans to expand technical offerings to high school and middle school districts later this year, providing students with IT Academy training and Microsoft Office Specialist certification. The program will be offered as a dual credit program with Ivy Tech Community College.
Armenian Education Ministry. Microsoft and the Armenian Education and Science Ministry signed an agreement this week to expand the use of Microsoft technologies and programs—including IT Academy—in Armenian universities.
Birkenhead Sixth Form College (Merseyside, England). The prominent college in England’s Wirral district, Birkenhead Sixth Form College will offer students and the community critical technology training and Microsoft Office Specialist certification, with options to study at home.