To those of you who are IT Academy members, the following may not come as a surprise. Word is spreading about IT Academy’s ability to engage faculty and students in successful technology training, and our reach is growing. To date, there are more than 15,000 IT Academies in dozens of countries around the world. Tens of thousands of Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) and Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certificates have been awarded, sending students off to higher education and the workplace better equipped.
The global scope of IT Academy’s benefits is one measure of its strengths. Another is the specific accomplishments of individual programs and their students. Let’s take a look at Queensland, Australia. In 2004, the state’s Department of Education, Training and Employment launched a program called “Smart Classrooms,” aiming to use IT to transform education at every level. The initiative set out to automate record keeping, streamline instructional materials, improve teacher technology use, and provide virtual learning environments for anytime student access and collaboration.
Nine years later, Smart Classrooms is soaring. Among other dramatic improvements to its infrastructure, the program has implemented IT Academies for all of its secondary schools. Students get access to the Microsoft IT Academy online courseware, and both teachers and students have the opportunity to develop skills recognized on a global scale.
Within this paradigm is a specific victory I’d like to shine a light on: a student named “Aidan” who goes to Springfield Central State High School in Queensland. Aidan recently won the state title at the 2013 Microsoft Office Specialist Worldwide Championships. Like other students in his state, through IT Academy, Aidan receives not only the chance to get certified but the opportunity to receive Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) credit toward graduation.
Watch this video to hear what Aidan and his business teacher have to say about the program.
Congratulations, Aidan and Springfield Central State High School! We look forward to hearing about your continued success.
Keith Loeber is the Director of the Microsoft IT Academy program for Microsoft, overseeing strategy, benefits, operations and policies. An 18-year Microsoft veteran, Keith has spent the last several years in education with the majority of his career focused on training and certification on Microsoft technologies.
Latest from IT Academy
Webinar Series Debut—“Training with Technology”—Around the Corner!
This year’s monthly IT Academy Webinar Series kicks off on September 12th with a look at how educators can best put technology to use in their classrooms. Speakers will include Peter Sigmund of La Salle High School, a Microsoft IT Academy in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania with an award-winning technology program and a plan to distribute Microsoft Surface devices to freshmen, and Scott Thompson from Microsoft Education.
The webinar is a free, monthly virtual event that provides the latest information on skills development, certifications and exams, training curriculum, best practices in the classroom, and technology in the classroom. It is open to anyone affiliated with an academic institution. See the series calendar and sign up to tune-in live or on-demand.
Get Trained on Office 2013 with Your E-Learning Benefit
As an IT Academy member, you can now receive training on Office 2013 via the Microsoft E-Learning curriculum, which provides unlimited access to more than 400 courses aligning with ITA programs. Get up to speed on popular Office programs through the Essentials course series (Microsoft Word 2013 Essentials, Microsoft Excel 2013 Essentials, Microsoft Project 2013 Essentials, and others). And in September and October, watch the ITA member site for information on Microsoft Official Academic Course (MOAC) Office 2013 content.
Recognize Teachers and Staff with Customizable Certificates
Elevate your school’s ITA instructors and staff by using customizable and printable IT Academy certificates. Find the certificate customization tool on the IT Academy Marketing Resources page.
Note: These certificates are intended for faculty and school recognition; they are not to be used for students. For students, please use the Course Completion Certificates available in the Curriculum area on the My Academy page.
IT Academy in the News
Georgia Student Bests Competition at Microsoft PowerPoint 2010
Seventeen year-old Jake Ruiz, of Fayette County High School, won Microsoft PowerPoint at the Microsoft Office Specialist National Competition. Jake was one of six finalists out of more than 140,000 students who entered the U.S. competition to demonstrate their skills at Microsoft desktop computing applications.
Read the story | Watch the news broadcast segment
Education News from Microsoft
Infographic Shows Nuts and Bolts of 21st Century Classroom
Partners in Learning presents this research-based infographic depicting the 21st century classroom. See how today’s education emphasizes effective use of technology. Some findings:
Stay Informed & Join the Discussion
Shine a Light on Your Success!
By highlighting your IT Academy accomplishments on the IT Academy blog, you can help pave the way for other IT Academy members and students around the world. What we’re looking for:
Send a brief summary—along with your contact information—to the IT Academy team. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Welcome to our weekly round-up of news, events and opportunities for IT Academy members.
Microsoft IT Academy Newsletter, Now Monthly, Keeps You in the Loop
Starting with the August 2013 edition, the Microsoft IT Academy newsletter will publish monthly, delivering program news and information to help you get the most out of your IT Academy membership. If you haven’t subscribed, sign up today to stay current on the very latest IT Academy updates.
Webinar Series Kicks Off with “Training with Technology”—Register Today!
Register now for the 2013-14 IT Academy Webinar Series, a free, monthly virtual event that provides the latest information on skills development, certifications and exams, training curriculum, best practices in the classroom, and technology in the classroom. The virtual events are open to anyone affiliated with an academic institution.
The September 12 webinar will feature “Training with Technology.” The event will feature Peter Sigmund of La Salle High School, a Microsoft IT Academy in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania with an award-winning technology program. Peter will share his vision for using Surface in the classroom. Scott Thompson from Microsoft Education will also discuss training resources for educators teaching technology in the classroom.
Stand by for more detail about the webinar from Keith Loeber, Director of IT Academy, who will be posting on the Microsoft IT Academy blog later this week.
Vancouver’s Brighton College to Partner with IT Academy
Through a newly announced partnership with Microsoft IT Academy, Vancouver, B.C.-based Brighton College is offering exam prep courses for the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) and Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert Server (MCSE) Infrastructure certification exams, starting in September.
Program curriculum includes interactive lectures, instructor-led classes, and workshops led by industry specialists. Students will receive training from Microsoft certified trainers, participate in labs and save on exams.
Read the article.
On ITA’s Workforce Skills Development Blog
Engineering for Tomorrow
Author James Lengel continues his ongoing commentary on today’s education, tackling what it takes to become an engineer. “On the one hand engineering is often very complex, thus requiring structured thinking and attention to detail, while on the other hand, engineering is also a highly creative process,” Lengel says. Read about the creative and “soft” skills that go along with engineering, on ITA's Workforce Skills Development blog, hosted by Partners in Learning.
Technology Can Help Close Growing Workplace Credentials and Skills Gap
Kelly Walsh argues that technology can be leveraged to address many of the problems underlying the workplace skills gap, such as high cost of education, inadequate retention and graduation rates, insufficient preparation for higher education, and the need for more personalized or differentiated instruction. Read his post on the Workforce Skills Development blog to learn more.
Stay informed & Join the Discussion
Share Your Story: Gain Recognition and Inspire Others!
Join the teachers and faculty who have shared their success stories on our blog, Born to Learn. Your story can help inspire a new generation of IT Academy members and students around the world! Topics of interest:
The monthly IT Academy Webinar Series kicks off on September 12th! This year’s series is bigger and better than ever, with a fantastic line-up of guest speakers and discussion on topics that matter most to the modern educator. Topics range from skills development to student employability and trends in education technology. Anyone affiliated with academic institution is invited to tune in live or on-demand.
Register today for the series, and mark your calendars for September 12: “Training with Technology” featuring Peter Sigmund, CIO of La Salle High School, a Microsoft IT Academy in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania with an award-winning technology program. Mr. Sigmund will share his vision for using Surface in the classroom. Scott Thompson, from Microsoft Education, will talk about resources available for training educators to teach technology in the classroom.
Partners in Learning Hot Topics: Speaking skills for the modern workforce
Last week, we shared an editorial from author James Lengel on the various approaches educators take to instill solid writing skills, and the role of technology to produce better writers and communicators. Lengel follows up this week with an editorial on the need for greater focus on fostering speaking skills to prepare students for the workforce. Read the post on Partners in Learning’s “Hot Topics” blog and join the discussion.
New eBook: Devices in education—which one is right for you?
Are you refreshing your classroom technology for the new academic year? Microsoft Education UK introduces a new eBook that helps you choose the right Windows 8 device for educators and students. Find out what works best for your students, across grade levels and age ranges; your teaching staff; and administrators. View and/or download the eBook >
The Use of Social Media in School
How do students and educators use social media in school, and what are the potential benefits? A new infographic provides insight into the latest trends, and adds perspectives to a round of interviews Microsoft Education VP Anthony Salcito recently conducted with leaders in social media for education. View the infographic and read the interviews >
Share Your Success Story
Do you have a success story about one of your IT Academy students? Have IT Academy resources enabled you to provide more in the classroom? Share your story and best practices in a brief email with photos and your contact information to [email protected].
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It’s that time! Register now for the 2013-14 IT Academy Webinar Series, a free, monthly virtual event that provides the latest information on skills development, certifications and exams, training curriculum, best practices in the classroom and job opportunities. Sign up to take advantage of this year’s series, packed with insight and relevance that can help you stay in the know.
New for the 2013-14 academic year:
Q: Who is eligible to register?
A: Anyone affiliated with an academic institution can register.
Q: What’s the program format?A: Each webcast is hosted live and available on-demand shortly after the event.
Q: What topics will be discussed?A: Each month's webinar will focus on a set of topics that matter most to today's educator...
View the monthly webinar agenda for more details.
Q. Why are IT Academy Webinars a worthwhile investment of my time?A. You gain access to technology education “insider information” that can help inform and shape your curriculum, and help students get the skills they need for today's marketplace. Register now to receive updates about each webinar and reminders to tune in.
Know someone who might want to tune in? Share this link: http://aka.ms/ITAWebinar
Partners in Learning Hot Topics: Writing skills for the modern workforce
Solid written and verbal communications tops the list of critical workplace skills across educator surveys and research; however, there's a lack of consensus on how educators should teach these skills. On Partners in Learning’s “Hot Topics” blog, author James Lengel explores the various approaches educators take to instill solid writing skills, and the role of technology to produce better writers and communicators. Read the post >
Invite your students to DigiGirlz Day
Inspire your students to focus on technology skills this school year at a DigiGirlz event near you. This one-day event, held at multiple Microsoft locations worldwide, is designed to provide high school girls with a better understanding of what a career in technology is all about.
During the event, students interact with Microsoft employees and managers to gain exposure to careers in business and technology and to get an inside look at what it's like to work at Microsoft. This exciting event provides girls with career planning assistance, information about technology and business roles, thought-provoking exercises, and interesting Microsoft product demonstrations. By participating in the Microsoft DigiGirlz Day, young women can find out about the variety of opportunities available in the high-tech industry and can explore future career paths.
See the full list of DigiGirlz Day locations and datesFind out how to register for a DigiGirlz DayFind out about eligibility
Share this short video to help inspire students to attend and focus on technology this year: