MOS certification for students

Posted on September 25th, 2008 in Uncategorized by Nicole  Tagged ,

After thinking about it and talking to a colleague whose schooled has offered MOS certification I thought to write this post.

The Burning Question

Does the effort put forth outweigh the benefits for students?

What is the benefit of students having certification?

  • Students have a certificate showing that are certified proficient/expert users of MSOffice.
  • Students could be considered more employable than the competition because they have the foundations of office technology
  • Student will successfully complete tasks at work.

I think that the certification is helpful to a student who is already a good candidate for a job based on their other qualities. It will help someone who lacks the job experience also.

On the other hand, I feel that students should be able to general produce documents, spreadsheets, and presentations for business communications not necessarily using Microsoft products. It is true that most businesses support MSOffice. But that may change within the next ten years to more varied business use of Apple, Linux, or Open Source Applications. It will be interesting to see if MSOffice (the brand) Certification is valued by companies in years to come.

A colleague who teaches in a school where MOS was implemented said there was a few stumbling blocks, such as, the test not giving credit for a completed task because the method the student used was the not same as was programmed for the test. The students used hotkeys instead of pull down menus.

The standard powerpoint presentation is already being seen old technology to some companies who are pushing the curve by using video conferencing  and staff training web tools such as ellimunate, blogging tools and wikis and embedded video or presentations in their web page or blog. Ning is a social networking website that students can join just as professionals join to discuss areas of interest, goals and challenges of a company. I think that business students should practice these communication tools that are and will be commonplace in addition to office applications.

I think teaching the MOS Standards is key. The school district could locate the most convenient testing sites for students, provide that literature regarding cost, dates, times at the beginning, middle and end of course for students to take home. Ultimately, students could become certified at a remote testing site.

The first step would be to research and plan how the Business Depts “MOS certification program” will work if students test off site.

HS Technology meeting 12/4

Posted on December 3rd, 2007 in HS Technology, HS tech, budgeting, planning by Nicole

Alden High School
Technology Meeting
December 4, 2007
Meeting Minutes

Presentation of proposals
Q and A to follow.

  • Art presented proposals –
    • Committee discussed the best way to update macs for instruction
      • update current- notlikely since the software will not run on them ven with updated RAM
      • be part of a shared new mac cart
    • Cameras
    • Scanner
    • Laptops
  • Foreign Language
    • Rover all in one media cart
    • 2 projectors and carts?
  • Library
    • screen and projector
  • Mac cart by Rachel Hazen
  • Mac cart by Jean and Andy
    • discussed fixed desktop labs vs laptops
  • Projectors by Nicole these may be prioritized within.
    • Tech
    • Business
    • Science 2
    • FL 2?
    • Math
    • Art
    • Music 2
  • Technology
    • pc lab and updated pltw software
    • scenario for this was to create SMART lab in 231 with pcs and PLTW software.
  • Science
    • Tablet pc
    • Venier probe racks (priority #1)
  • Math
    • Graphing calculators #1
    • Exam Gen software
    • Green Glob and graphing equations software
    • Geometers sketchpad
    • Math type 6
    • Projector and base station and cart
  • Physical Education
    • idea for handhelds

    Yearbook: Color Printer

  • Other
    • Studio 8 for building by Nicole
    • Should items be put through departmental budget?
    • CPS laptop and cart? no maybe tc grant
  • Prioritize proposals using the Intel Ranking tools
    • Discussion identified need to figure what proposals are district and high school building. Committee questioned how we can prioritize one department over another if the need is the same?
    • Tuesday committee will return for an hour to prioritize proposals according to impact purchase will have on the largest number of students and which purchases are have a greater tie to curriculum of course at the top of the list.
    • Justification to add base stations was discussed.
    • Went through many ideas for cable and streaming from marty and came up with idea for projectors.
      • Project: Streaming our school into the 21st century: Create oneprojector ( per classroom)
      • SVGA adapter/Fiber optic cable to teacher computer
      • How will we hook the mounted projectors to DVD players?

      Depts will decide what should be allocated to tech vs. dept budget then rank remaining for tech budget.

  • High School integration specialist
    • ideas for job description and daily utilization
  • Staff Development ideas

11/8 High School Technology Meeting Minutes

Posted on November 16th, 2007 in HS Technology, HS tech, budgeting, planning by Nicole

Technology Committee
Minutes for November 8, 2007
Distance Learning Media Center
2:30 p.m.

  • Committee discussed Goals on the list

  • Andy B and Jean W are writing a proposal for a wireless mac cart
  • Nicole G is writing a proposal for all building projectors. She will contact departments for # needed.

  • Cable and tvs for all classroom was dicussed
  • Different tech ideas for how to broadcast video morning announcements were discussed
  • Technology Integrator proposal was discussed. The position will be written into tech budget. Does not guarantee full or part time person.
  • Ann S. will write proposal for library for mounted projector and screen in library
  • Frank spoke on his efforts of  implementing web server space for student made videos.
  • Frank discussed meeting with vendors for a future wireless campus
  • Committee discussed teacher workstation replacement schedule. Frank and tech team will look at inventory and plan district workstations replacement schedule as a whole.

    • CSLO options are to have an ITP from BOCES. Teacher would work one on one with that person as they help to plan a lesson, unit integrating technology.

    • Substitute coordination of coverage for the December meeting was accomplished
    • Nicole G will contact Departments regarding information needed for District technology plan
    • Tech proposals are due 11/26 to K. Ryan
    • Next meeting December 4 8-11.

    HS Tech Committee Meeting Minutes

    Posted on October 10th, 2007 in HS tech by Nicole

    Alden High School

    Technology Committee
    Minutes for October 10, 2007
    Distance Learning Media Center
    2:30 p.m.

    1. Review 2004-2007 Tech Plan
      1. Current
        1. 5 Wireless Carts
        2. 3 PC Labs
        3. 2 Mac Labs (10)
        4. Music Cluster 4 with Midi
        5. Software
          1. MultiSims in Tech Dept has been added
          2. Departments can e-mail N. Giambra on software updates/status for upcoming tech plan.
      2. Create Needs/Goals for next Tech Plan
        1. Wall Mounted projector and screen in Library
        2. 2nd Tech Lab for additional Tech class
        3. Proposal for connecting HS to cable access
        4. Projector in every classrooom
        5. Wireless accessible everywhere
        6. Laptops for teachers
        7. HS Tech Integrator
        8. Web Space
        9. Mobile Mac Lab
        10. Visual Communicator for TV Production
        11. Tech Support:
          1. Support Hotline (immediate help)
          2. SWAT- Students who assist with Technology
          3. Training for Que
      3. Room 105
        1. For this semester there will be no conflicts. For next semester the between the classes and a/v working in the room for much anticipated projects there will be a concern for security of the major equipment and desktops in the room if the i Macs were to be reserved. Solutions for this are noted in needs/goals above.
      4. Next Meeting
        1. November 8th 2:30
        2. December 4th 7:45ish -11
      5. Other
        1. Jean presented the committee with a proposal draft for a Technology Integrator for the high school.
        2. She asked committee members to read over proposal and give feedback on any changes needed to be made.
      6. Meeting adjourned: 3:30
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