2011 STEMtech CONFERENCE
Indianapolis, IN
*NEW*
MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY
ASSOCIATE (MTA) CERTIFICATIONS
FOR IT STUDENTS
PRESENTED BY
Debora A. Collins,
Microsoft Certified Learning Consultant
Certiport, Inc.
M.S. Curriculum & Instruction, Brigham Young University-1985
Minor: Computer Science
M.S., B.S. Oregon State University – 1980, 1983
Microsoft Certified Learning Consultant (MCLC)
Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)
Post-Secondary Teaching Experience:
Computer Science, Weber State University, Utah
Computer Networking & Security, ITT Technical Institute, Utah
Several Private Technical Schools
WHO AND WHAT IS CERTIPORT?
Certiport:
Certiport
delivers exams
in 142
countries and
24 languages
Exams include:
Adobe
AutoDesk
CompTIA
Intuit
Microsoft
www.certiport.com
The world leader in performance-based certification exams and
practice tests for academic institutions and corporate markets
Over 2 million
exams are
administered
annually
at 10,000
Certiport
Authorized
Testing
Centers
worldwide
(1 million are
MOS exams)
Certiport
manages a
sophisticated
portfolio of
leading
practice test
and
certification
programs
Certiport
works with
more than 400
subject matter
experts in 20
countries to
ensure exam
objectives are
consistent
with market
needs
Certiport is
based in
American
Fork, Utah
where it has
more than 180
employees…
and we’re
hiring certified
specialists!
AGENDA
• The Value of Industry Certifications
• What is MTA?
 Comparison to Cisco, Oracle and CompTIA
 Roadmap to Microsoft certifications
 The 9 MTA Exams and Available Teaching Resources
 Northwestern Michigan College’s Success Story
• How to Start a Certification Program
 Funding an MTA Program
 5 Basic Steps to Start
• Rise to the Challenge!
FREE GIFT FOR PARTICIPATING!
At the end of this session submit the paper
evaluation and receive a FREE MTA T-shirt!
ACADEMIC SURVEY SAYS…..
Source: “The Importance of Educating IT
Students in Technology Fundamentals”
[White Paper]. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2011.
According to a survey of
40,000 IT Faculty
 ½ of their students were not
prepared to enter their first
technology course.
 One in three professors must
stray from planned lectures to
teach core IT concepts.
 The majority agreed that ALL
of their students would
benefit from a stronger
foundation in technology.
EMPLOYERS AROUND THE WORLD ARE
STRUGGLING TO FIND SKILLED WORKERS
48%
EMEA
QUEST FOR TALENT
IS ONE OF THE
LEADING
CONCERNS AMONG
CORPORATE EXECS
GLOBALLY
35%
AMERICAS
41%
ASIA/PAC
A MAJOR BARRIER TO EMPLOYMENT IS THE
INABILITY TO APPLY REAL-WORLD SKILLS
“Employers have
long complained
that too many
young people leave
college without
the employability
skills they are
looking for.”
- Deloitte & Touche
A MAJOR BARRIER TO EMPLOYMENT IS THE
INABILITY TO APPLY REAL-WORLD SKILLS
“Employers have
long complained
that too many
young people leave
college without
the employability
skills they are
looking for.”
- Deloitte & Touche
WHAT IS INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION?
Industry-Defined
Skills
E-learning | Books | Classroom
Foundation
Academics
Combined with
Industry Exam
To Validate Skills
Relevance | Jobs | Career Journey
INDUSTRY-ISSUED CERTIFICATE!
CERTIFICATION VALIDATES REAL-WORLD
PERFORMANCE SKILLS
Certification validates effective use of
technology, improving performance
of Students, Information Workers, and
IT professionals – and is proven to
increase an individual’s efficiency
both in the classroom and on the job.
WHAT IS MTA?
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)
A group of entry-level certifications introduced
in 2010 to validate fundamental knowledge of
IT or Database Administration, or Software
Development. The ideal stepping-stone to
more advanced Microsoft certifications.
 Designed for students new to technology
 Validates fundamental technology
concepts.
 Prepares students for advanced IT classes,
MCTS certification, and entry level job
experience, such as internships.
 Exams are delivered in the classroom
 Available only to Academic institutions
STEP TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGY CAREER
Enhances Your Technology Curriculum
 Credible credentials designed by Microsoft
 Cost effective implementation with flexible exam licensing
 Prepares students to compete in the real-world
Helps Students Explore Their Potential
 Career exploration
 Certifications build confidence
 Joins students to a community of
more than 5 million Microsoft
Certified Professionals (MCPs)
IDC reports a 40% gap
in the next five to ten
years between demand
for, and supply of IT
professionals with the
right technical skills*.
.
*Source: “Certification at the Entry Level,” Matt Walker, Certification Magazine, July 2008.
HOW DOES MTA COMPARE TO THE CISCO
AND ORACLE ACADEMIES?
Cisco and Oracle
 Entry-level certifications are designed for professionals with


2-3 years work experience. MTA is designed for students
with no work experience.
Exams are not platform-agnostic and only focus on Cisco or
Oracle technologies. Except for the Windows specific exams,
MTA validates generic fundamental knowledge.
Cisco and Oracle exams are more expensive and are
administered via Pearson Vue. MTA exams may be taken
online in the classroom using an affordable campus license.
HOW DOES MTA COMPARE TO COMPTIA?
CompTIA
 MTA Exams 98-365: Windows Server Administration


Fundamentals; 98-366: Networking Fundamentals; and 98367: Security Fundamentals cover similar topics as CompTIA’s
Server+, Network+, and Security+ certifications.
A key difference is that CompTIA’s Server+ is vendor-agnostic,
while the MTA exam on Windows Server Administration
Fundamentals is in the context of Windows Server technology.
Microsoft will continue to accept CompTIA certifications
towards legacy MCSE and MCSA certifications., but not the
current MCTS, MCIT or MCPD. MTA is the official entry-level
certification that serves as a stepping stone towards MCTS.
MICROSOFT CERTIFICATION ROADMAP
MCA
MCM
Advanced Series
IT architects who have completed a
rigorous industry-driven peer
validation process.
IT experts with demonstrated mastery
of a product through hands on lab
based testing.
Professional Series
MCITP or MCPD
Comprehensive set of
skills required to be
successful on the job.
Technology Series
MCTS
In-depth skills working
with Microsoft
technologies.
Associate Series
MTA
Fundamental knowledge for students
to start building a successful career in
technology.
MTA ROADMAP TO POTENTIAL SALARIES
MTA Builds Careers
 Students can explore,
discover and plan
successful careers
 Whether they choose
Network Administrator,
Software Engineer,
Web Developer, or
Database Analyst …
MTA is the first step!
Sources: Salary.com, March 2011
*U.S. Census Bureau, May 2010
Coming Soon...
Game Development
and Mobile Apps!
IT PRO EXAM OBJECTIVES
98-365: Windows Server Admin. Fundamentals
Understanding server installation
Understanding server roles
Understanding Active Directory
Understanding storage
Understanding server performance management
Understanding server maintenance
98-349: Windows Operating System
Fundamentals
 Understanding Operating System Configurations
 Installing and Upgrading Client Systems
 Managing Applications
 Managing Files and Folders
 Managing Devices
 Understanding Operating System Maintenance
98-366: Networking Fundamentals
 Understanding network infrastructures
o Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, WAN, wireless,
topologies, access methods
 Understanding network hardware
o Switches, routers, media types
 Understanding protocols and services
o OSI model, IPv4, IPv6, names resolution, TCP/IP
98-367: Security Fundamentals
Understanding security layers
Understanding operating system security
Understanding network security
Understanding security software
Exams were defined based on career tracks with high demand in the industry.
Topics were designed by MSL experts and vetted with college instructors.
SOFTWARE DEVELOPER EXAM OBJECTIVES
98-361: Software Developer Fundamentals
98-362: Windows Developer Fundamentals
Understanding core programming
Understanding object-oriented programming
Understanding general software development
Understanding web applications
Understanding desktop applications
Understanding databases
Understanding Windows programming basics
Creating Windows Forms applications
Creating WPF applications
Creating Windows Services applications
Accessing data in a Windows Forms application
Deploying Windows application
98-363: Web Developer Fundamentals
98-372: Microsoft.NET Fundamentals
Programming web applications
Working with data and services
Troubleshooting and debugging web applications
Working with client-side scripting
Configuring and deploying web applications
 Understanding .NET Framework Concepts
 Understanding Namespaces and Classes in the
.NET Framework
 Understanding .NET Code Compilation
 Understanding I/O Classes in the .NET
Framework
Exams were defined based on career tracks with high demand in the industry.
Topics were designed by MSL experts and vetted with college instructors.
DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR EXAM
OBJECTIVES
98-364: Database Admin. Fundamentals
Understanding core database concepts
Creating database objects
Manipulating data
Understanding data storage
Administering a database
Coming Soon...
Game Development and Mobile Apps!
Exams were defined based on career tracks with high demand in the industry.
Topics were designed by MSL experts and vetted with college instructors.
MTA EXAM CHARACTERISTICS
This is what to expect:






Exam is delivered online
Mix of multiple-choice, simulation, and
scenario test items
50 minute length
30-50 test items
Score required to pass is 70%
Skills measured are posted on Certiport’s
website
INTEGRATION INTO EXISTING CURRICULA
Scenarios you might encounter
 The perfect fit – your existing course maps exactly to the ODs
 Just a bit off – course is incomplete for a few OD elements
 Pieces missing – course completely misses some ODs
 No alignment at all – but instructor wants to provide MTA

certification opportunity
Independent study – Instructor wants to offer MTA as an
independent study or to a small group
*OD = exam Objective Domains
MTA EXAM REVIEW KIT (ERK)
Developed by MS Learning, each MTA Exam Review Kit is a collection of 20
(50 minute) review lessons covering the topics of each MTA exam. The ERKs
are offered as a free digital download to MTA customers.
ERK Overview
 Lesson objectives with unit scope and sequencing
 Lesson mappings to the MTA exam objectives
Instructor materials
 Lesson plans for each day of instruction
 Presentation slides for each day of instruction
 Annotated speaker notes for each slide
Content delivery resources including
 Occasional class demonstrations
 Occasional interactive whole-class sessions
 Guides for discussions to foster dialogue about key topics
Student learning materials including
 Instructor presentation slides
 In-class exercises (including the code for those exercises)
 Practical out-of-class homework
 Labs as appropriate
Student assessment materials
 End-of-lesson/sub-unit questions and answers
FREE STUDENT STUDY GUIDES
IT Pro Edition, Developer and Database Editions
Available in print ready
or study ready format
Download free of charge at: www.certiport.com/mrl
LOOKING FOR MTA SPECIFIC TEXTBOOKS?
John Wiley & Sons Publishing



The Microsoft Official Academic Courseware (MOAC)
Short, easy to read; may be used stand-alone or to supplement
3 year adoption receives FREE MSDN AA membership!
 FREE downloads of all Microsoft operating systems, servers, developer
tools by faculty, staff, students for research and teaching purposes.
ONLINE GAME - ARE YOU CERTIFIABLE?
 Technical questions that help students prepare for their certification exam.
 Students choose an avatar, a field of expertise, and compete against an
online community for technical supremacy!
MTA CAMPUS EXAM LICENSES
Academic Flexibility
 Exams can be delivered in any computer lab,
classroom, library, or other facility on any computer
connected to the Internet with a faculty to proctor.
 In contrast, most certification site licenses in the IT
market are restricted to a single computer room.
Academic Pricing (1 year license)*
$3,250 up to 500 exams per single campus
$2,750 up to 250 exams per single campus
$2,500 up to 100 exams per single campus
*Single use MTA vouchers are also available for $47 each
MTA PRACTICE TESTS



Exam-like questions match objectives
Answers with detailed explanations & references
Personal study mode, score report and certification
mode - with bookmarking
Academic Pricing (1 year license includes all titles)
$1,795 single campus with unlimited students
$ 995 up to 60 users
$ 695 up to 30 users
$ 375 up to 10 users
*Single title, single user is also available for $64 each
EDUCATORS – YOU CAN BECOME AN MCT!
Have you ever thought of becoming
a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)?
Obtain one or more MOS certifications then complete
the MCT application requirements. Dues are $150/yr.
Benefits Include:




TechNet Subscription to most Microsoft software
Download and license for Camtasia Studio and Snagit
Downloads of all Microsoft courseware instructor kits
Free eLearning, discounts on exams and books, other offers
For more info:
www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mct.aspx
AN MTA SUCCESS STORY!
Download the related STEMTech session:
Sunday: 9:45am – 10:45am
“Program Assessment Using Microsoft Technology Associate Certification”
Presenter: Keith Kelly , Program Coordinator, Northwestern Michigan College
HOW TO START A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
THE PERKINS ACT FUNDS CERTIFICATION
SEC. 113. ACCOUNTABILITY.
(b) STATE PERFORMANCE MEASURES.
(2)(B) CORE INDICATORS FOR CTE: POST-SECONDARY
…shall include, at a minimum, measures of each of
the following:
(i) “Student attainment of challenging career and technical
skill proficiencies, including student achievement on
technical assessments, that are aligned with industryrecognized standards, if available and appropriate.”
(ii) “Student attainment of an industry-recognized
credential, a certificate, or a degree.”
FUNDING INCLUDES TEACHER TRAINING
SEC. 122. STATE PLAN.
(c) PLAN CONTENTS. The State plan shall include…
(2) …professional development that (C) “is high quality, sustained, intensive, and focused on
instruction, and increases the academic knowledge and
understanding of industry standards, as appropriate, of
career and technical education teachers.”
5 BASIC STEPS TO START A
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Register an Authorized Testing Center
Acquire required desktop software
Acquire a good textbook
Purchase exams or a site license
Certify your teachers
5 BASIC STEPS TO START A
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
RegisterRegister
an Authorized
Center
anTesting
Authorized
Acquire required desktop software
Acquire a good textbook
Purchase exams or a site license
Certify your teachers
Testing Center
Visit Certiport’s homepage at
www.certiport.com and click
the button, “Register a
Testing Center”.
Follow the steps to complete
the application form .
Your assigned Certiport
representative will call you
to activate your testing
center.
5 BASIC STEPS TO START A
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
RegisterAcquire
an Authorized
Centerdesktop
theTesting
required
software
All MTA exams are delivered online, so do
Acquire required desktop software not require that the specific server
software or developer tool be installed to
Acquire a good textbook operate; however you will need software
to TEACH the skills and prepare students.
Purchase exams or a site license Consider becoming a member of the
MSDN Academic Alliance & DreamSpark
 FREE downloads of all 500+ Microsoft
Certify your teachers operating systems, servers and developer
tools by faculty, staff and students for
research, teaching and learning purposes.
 Membership Fee: $499 per year
http://www.microsoft.com/education/highered/Administrator/MSDNAA/
5 BASIC STEPS TO START A
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
RegisterAcquire
an Authorized
Testingtextbook
Center
a good
If you want an MTA specific
Acquire required desktop software
textbook, adopt the MOAC!
 Includes an MSDN AA
membership
Acquire a good textbook
Exam Review Kits (ERKs)
are FREE to supplement
existing curricula and
textbooks.
Student study guides are
Purchase exams or a site license also available for FREE!
Ask your Certiport
Certify your teachers
representative for more
information.
5 BASIC STEPS TO START A
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
RegisterObtain
an Authorized
Testing Center
individual
exams
or an exam site license
An MTA Campus License is a 1 year
Acquire required desktop softwaresubscription that provides either 100, 250
or 500 certification exams.
Acquire a good textbook Applies to any lab, classroom, building or
computers within a single campus
Purchase exams or a site license
Price: $2,500, $2,750, $3,250 respectively
Recommended Add-on Option:
Certify
teachers
Practice tests
by your
MeasureUp
Price varies from $375 to $1,795. Contact Certiport for details.
Academic
pricing for a single-use MTA exam voucher is $47.
5 BASIC STEPS TO START A
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
RegisterCertify
an Authorized
Center
yourTesting
teachers
Acquire required desktop software
Acquire a good textbook
Purchase exams or a site license
Certify your teachers
The teacher is key to
the success of your
MTA certification
program!
Recommend the
teacher become
certified and take
the exam several
times to become
familiar with the
skills expected.
5 BASIC STEPS TO START A
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Register an Authorized Testing Center
Acquire required desktop software
Acquire a good textbook
Purchase exams or a site license
Certify your teachers
CHALLENGE THE STUDENTS
• Clearly communicate certification expectations
•
to students and why it’s important
Empower students to succeed
 Certified Teacher
 Course lessons highly correlated to the exam
 Relevant labs
 Practice tests
• Students have the right to fail. It’s OK to retest.
• Encourage students to compete for high scores!
MOTIVATION IDEAS THAT WORK







Best the Teacher - instructors post their own score reports and
offer students a milkshake, or other prize, if they score higher.
Wall of Fame – post student certificates on a the wall.
Certification Banquet or Ceremony - invite parents, employers,
and prominent community members, to attend.
Media Coverage – submit student names and certifications to
the newspaper. Invite the local TV station to do a story on the
school’s certification program, banquet, ceremony, etc.
Local Competition – hold an exam competition on your campus.
Articulation Agreements – grant credits and/or waive courses in
lieu of certification.
Employment/Internship Agreements – commit local businesses
to intern certified students and hire certified graduates.
MTA COURSEWARE AND RESOURCES
MTA General Information and Student Study Guides
 Available free at www.certiport.com/mta
MTA Exam Review Kits, Posters, Campus Licensing
 Contact your Certiport rep at www.certiport.com
MOAC Textbooks and Practice Tests
 John Wiley & Sons (textbooks); MeasureUp (practice tests)
“Are You Certifiable (AYC)” Practice Game (no charge online game)
 http://www.microsoft.com/click/areyoucertifiable
MSDN Academic Alliance and DreamSpark
 http://www.microsoft.com/education/highered/Administrator/MSDNAA/
TRY MTA FOR 30 DAYS - FREE!
Rise to the Challenge*
 Wiley Textbooks (1 code, access to all 7 titles)
 30 MeasureUp Practice Tests (30 codes, 30 days, 1 app each)
 30 MTA Certification Exams (30 codes)
*Offer expires December 31, 2011
TAKE AN EXAM DURING STEMTECH – FREE!
Get Certified at STEMtech
 Register a timeslot at www.certiport.com/STEMtech2011
 Go to the Testing Lab located on the first floor, rm 109.
 Testing is available during the following hours:
Sunday:
9am to 4pm
Monday: 9am to 5pm
Tuesday: 9am to 5pm
Exams Available
Microsoft Technology Associate (all seven exams). Also, Microsoft
Office, QuickBooks, Autodesk, Adobe, CompTIA Strata and IC3.
For details, see pg. 11 in your Conference Program!
To learn more about MTA certification:
http://www.certiport.com
Visit Exhibitor Booth #206
QUESTIONS?
Debora A. Collins
Email:
dcollins@certiport.com
Web :
www.certiport.com
Phone:
888.999.9830
Mobile: 801.560.7546
Please submit your paper evaluation to receive a T-shirt!
Thank You!
Copyright © 2011 Certiport Corporation. All rights reserved. Certiport and the Certiport Logo are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Certiport Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and other
countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
This document is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as advertising. All
warranties relating to the information in this document, either express or implied, are disclaimed
to the maximum extent allowed by law. The information in this document is subject to change
without notice.