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Event Name

Date, Year

Validate Computer Skills Through Certification

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Introductions

• Presenter Names• Presenter Names

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Overview of Certiport

• Established in 1997• Exclusive worldwide administrator of the

Microsoft Office Specialist program• Use concurrent and simulation technologies

Certiport is the leading provider of global, performance-based certification programs and services designed to enable individual success and lifetime advancement

through certification

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Overview of Certiport (cont.)

• Worldwide Statistics› 1 million validated exams delivered› Over 700,000 certifications issued› The Microsoft Office Specialist program is the fastest

growing computer certification› 35,000 exams monthly › 18 languages › 114 countries › 47 Courseware publishers › 27 distributors› 9,000 testing centers

• Experience leads to…

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Internet and Computing Core Certification

- IC³ -

First global certification for computer literacy

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Topics

• Defining Computer Literacy• Developing the Standard• Evolution of Certification• IC3 Overview• IC3 Benefits• Industry Support• Certiport Candidate Services• Questions and Answers

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Defining Computer Literacy

• Computer skills are integral to all areas of study and work

• Ability to use a computer is on par with reading and writing skills

• 3 Rs to 3 Cs› Communicating, Calculating, and Computing

• Educators pushing greater computer literacy• Exposure does not translate to

understanding

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Need for Universal Standards

• Computer Education› Some basic computer courses› Often diffused into other courses

• Schools must be accountable• No universally accepted

measurement exists• Many states, districts, schools, and

organizations create own standards and measurement processes

• Some educators are fearful of adopting technology in the classroom

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Deliver a Global Standard

• Provide students and teachers with an accepted, portable credential that establishes their level of computer competence

• Avoid confusion of having multiple measurement criteria state by state, school by school, or country by country

• Deliver verifiable results• Maintain universal availability• Tie to basic computing course curriculum

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Developing the Standard

• Research and define criteria• Established by over 270 SMEs in 19 countries• Utilize leading exam methodology• Accepted standards of test development• Validate through beta• Global data management • Continuous standard analysis

› Regular reviews to maintain the standard

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Evolution of Certification

• Certification proven as valid credential› Competitive economy requires competitive skills

• No longer just for technical career opportunities› Significant increase in end-user certifications

Technical Certifications› Validate system administrator skills and knowledge

› Credential for technical career

› MCP, Cisco, CNE, etc.

Desktop Certifications› Validate end-user skills and knowledge

› Credential for most careers and post secondary education

›MOUS, etc.

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Overview of IC³

• Internet and Computing Core Certification› Establishes a global standard for measuring Internet and

computing literacy › Provides the credential of being a literate, but not fully

productive, user of computer hardware, software, and the Internet

› Covers basic knowledge and skills› Sets a comfort level with computers

• Set of three exams: › Computing Fundamentals › Key Applications› Living Online

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IC³ Computing Fundamentals

• Basic understanding of computer hardware

• Basic understanding of computer software

• Using a computer operating system to perform everyday tasks

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IC³ Computing Fundamentals• Sample Question: How many bytes are there in a megabyte?

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IC³ Key Applications

• Common features of Microsoft Windows applications

• Specific skills for operating a word processor program

• Specific skills for operating a spreadsheet program

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IC³ Key Applications• Sample Question: Bold the text in the selected cells.

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IC³ Living Online

• Basic understanding of how computers connect to networks and the Internet

• Specific skills for operating an electronic mail program

• Specific skills for operating a Web browser program

• Social impact of computing and the Internet

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IC³ Living Online• Sample Question: Go to a particular website address

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Value to Individuals

• Proves that you have the basic literacy to understand key computer concepts, applications, and the Internet

• Ensures you have validated what you have learned• Gives you a beginner standard certification as proof of

credentials• Demonstrates you have the necessary foundation to

advance to additional certifications such as A+ and desktop applications

• Gives you confidence and security that you can enter and be a part of today’s “digital world”

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Value to Academic Institutions

• Provides objective evaluation of student performance

• Ensures consistency of results from school to school

• Improves appropriate student course placement

• Provides accountability measurement• Provides teacher development and

growth opportunities

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Segmentation and Positioning

Desktop Expertise

Mastery

Competency

Literacy

Primary Audience

Corporations Colleges/Universities

CorporationsCommunity CollegeHigh Schools (Jr./Sr.)

High Schools (Fr./So.)Jr. High

Student or Teacher

Positioning

Intermediate

IC3

Advanced

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IC³ Testing Methods

• Knowledge-based testing› Multiple choice› Multiple answer› Matching› True and False

• Performance-based testing› Candidates must perform tasks in the computing

environment› Simulation of operating systems and applications› Multiple correct response possibilities

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Exam Delivery System1. Candidates take exam in proctored environment

› iQcenters set up computer labs for training and testing› iQcenters download and install exam software

2. Upon exam completion;› Candidate receives printed score results› Results are uploaded to Certiport’s global candidate database

3. Certiport delivers certificate to passing candidates4. Candidates can view their online Digital Transcripts

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IC³ Sample Certificate

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Digital Transcripts

• Secure, authenticated website

• Candidates can view exam and certification results online at any time

• Access can be granted for educators, employers, and staffing agencies to verify candidate results

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Sample Digital Transcript

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Sample Digital Transcript

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National Skill Standards Board• First computer certification to be recognized by

the NSSB’s Certification Recognition Program

• The NSSB is an unprecedented coalition of leaders from business, labor, employee, education, and community and civil rights organizations created in 1994

• The NSSB has built a voluntary national system of skill standards, assessment, and certification systems to enhance the ability of individuals to compete effectively in a global economy

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CompTIA"The digital literacy skills validated by Certiport's IC³ are hallmarks of a well-prepared A+ certification candidate," said Lutz Ziob, vice president of certification at CompTIA. "These certifications through Certiport give developing IT professionals practical, real-world productivity skills that

build a solid foundation for CompTIA A+ certification."

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Tech Career Compass

• CompTIA established the TCC to provide job candidates a resource for career opportunities

• Maps job descriptions, skills, and criteria to industry certifications

• Provides direction for aspiring professionals• Lists IC³ as the foundation for every job

description

• http://tcc.comptia.org

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American Council on Education

• ACE is the leading national accreditation body for higher education in the United States

• IC³ has obtained a credit recommendation for credit towards college education› Meets general education or computer literacy

requirements

• Students can receive college credit through participating colleges affiliated with ACE› More than 1800 accredited, degree-granting colleges,

universities, and other education-related organizations are members of ACE

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Success

Medina County Career Center:

“Before IC³, there were no industry certifications that covered basic networking, program, and Internet skills. IC³ fulfills our need for a certification that not only measures these skills, but also provides students with a résumé-building credential recognized worldwide.”

-Brad Wright, lead instructor of the information technology program

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Success

Utah State Office of Education:

“IC³ is a very effective method of validating computer literacy. We need to ensure that our students have necessary computer skills by the time they graduate from high school and IC³ helps validate those skills. It also gives them an industry certification that they can take with them after they graduate and add to their credentials.”

-Russell Klein, Business Education Specialist for Applied

Technology Education

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Success

Brevard Community College – IC³ Academy:

“We chose to offer IC³ to our students to give them the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to be a broad based, productive user of computer hardware, software, networks, and the Internet—and an industry certification to prove it.”

- Jan Chapman, education IT instructor at BCC

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Success

Lake Michigan College – Continuing Education:

“We replaced the post-exam in our popular basic computer course with IC³. It’s a perfect fit because IC³ exams covers computer terminology and theory, basic software applications, and the Internet—everything that’s in our course.”

- Joe Pepple, computer training coordinator for continuing education

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Success

Laurel Business Institute:

“It’s a wonderful certification not only for computer majors but for all majors.”

“Offering IC³ certification gives LBI credibility in the school and business communities.”

- Robin Addis, IT Director

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How to use IC³

• End of computer course validation

• Prerequisite for particular computer courses

• Teacher development opportunities

• Continuing education

• Become your own testing center

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Points to Remember

• IC³ sets the measurement standard for global computer and Internet literacy

• Suited for both students and teachers• Globally supported by leading industry and

government organizations• Candidate and testing services supported by

Certiport• Schools can implement testing on-site

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Questions and Answers

www.certiport.com