IBM Open Badges

Working with our vendor, Acclaim, IBM is making available web-enabled digital versions of your credentials that you can display on social and professional networking sites, emails or personal web sites.

IBM's open badges provide an online representation of skills and achievements using theMozilla Open Badges standard. When someone clicks on your badge, they link to metadata describing your qualifications along with the process required to earn them. This additional level of information helps tell a more complete and compelling story of your achievements.

IBM is providing open badges at no charge to the badge earner to allow you to share and promote your IBM achievements across a broad range of online platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and your personal websites and blogs.

As part of this program, you will receive an open badge for your accomplishments along with the following:

• A Web-enabled version of your credential
• Free access to a badge wallet for managing how you use the badges
• Secure and verifiable means of storing and publishing your credentials

Learn More

CompTIA Webinar: Why employers look for IT certifications

The demand for IT workers continues to grow, and employers are turning to certifications to help identify qualified candidates. In this upcoming CompTIA webinar, we'll dive into reasons why employers look for IT certifications, based on CompTIA's "HR Perceptions of IT Training and Certification" report. The webinar will feature industry IT professionals who will help participants learn what qualifications are needed to get an IT job, how to make a resume stand out and what gets candidates noticed. Join us Tuesday, June 23, at 11 a.m. CDT for this important session. Register today.

Boost your LinkedIn profile by highlighting your CompTIA certifications

CompTIA has teamed up with LinkedIn to make it even easier for certification holders to highlight their skills. Whether it's A+, Security+ or one of CompTIA's numerous other vendor-neutral credentials, with just a few simple steps, anyone with an active CompTIA certification can show his or her credentials on LinkedIn. Add more power to your profile! See how to add CompTIA certifications on LinkedIn today.

CompTIA Webinar: Why employers look for IT certifications

The demand for IT workers continues to grow, and employers are turning to certifications to help identify qualified candidates. In this upcoming CompTIA webinar, we'll dive into reasons why employers look for IT certifications, based on CompTIA's "HR Perceptions of IT Training and Certification" report. The webinar will feature industry IT professionals who will help participants learn what qualifications are needed to get an IT job, how to make a resume stand out and what gets candidates noticed. Join us Tuesday, June 23, at 11 a.m. CDT for this important session. 

Register today.

Cisco WASTC Conference, June 15-19 in Pomona

  

Do you feel like you work in a VACUUM?  

  

Do your Co-Workers think you are Strange?                                                                             

WASTC Academy Conference 2015

is not just about great Professional Development [of course we include that]-It is about getting to spend some time with people like you [and we are the best], so WASTC has scheduled time to do just that!

Breakfast & Lunch Every day

Appreciation Event, Thursday at 5:00 [food, band, industry representatives]

After Hours Networking Room to brush up on your technology or just hang out in the evenings getting some downtime with peers. 

  

Come join the fun -see flyer for the PD part.

Hope to see you there,

  

Karen

--

Karen Stanton
Cisco Networking Academy
ASC ITC Ohlone
WASTC Coordinator
Western Academy Support & Training Center-WASTC
www.wastc.org
661 362 5363
karen.stanton@wastc.org

MPICT

  www.mpict.org

(ISC)2® Global Academic Program Summit and National Capture the Flag Competition

(ISC)2® Global Academic Program Summit and National Capture the Flag Competition

National Capture the Flag Competition _______________________________________

In support of STEM outreach, MITRE and (ISC)² are hosting the annual national Capture the Flag (CTF) competition. High school and undergraduate college students will have the opportunity to compete in cybersecurity challenges to gain real-life experience and win national coverage to make a huge impact.

Who: High school and undergraduate college students
When: September 11–12, 2015
Where: Everywhere across the Internet!

Download the full brochure

To register or learn more, simply sign up and submit your resume here!

Registration now open through September 4, 2015

Questions?
Email the CTF Team


Global Academic Program Summit Webinar Learn how to become an (ISC)2 Global Academic Program Member
April 29, 2015
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (EST)

Add to Calendar



Once you are approved by the host, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the session.

To view in other time zones or languages, please click here.

For more information on becoming a Global Academic Program Member visit www.isc2.org/academic or email academic@isc2.org.

New CompTIA Linux+ Exam now available

The new version of CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI Linux includes changes in core Linux technologies and processes used by Linux administrators, as well as the addition of systems to several major Linux distributions. Linux is an important technology in tech and it's growing in importance. The exam validates baseline skills in the Linux OS. These skills are central to those aspiring to sys admin roles, but also important to those in a wide assortment of IT careers. Find more details here.

New CompTIA Linux+ Exam now available

The new version of CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI Linux includes changes in core Linux technologies and processes used by Linux administrators, as well as the addition of systems to several major Linux distributions. Linux is an important technology in tech and it's growing in importance. The exam validates baseline skills in the Linux OS. These skills are central to those aspiring to sys admin roles, but also important to those in a wide assortment of IT careers. Find more details here.

Learn how to become an (ISC)2 Global Academic Program Member

(ISC)2® Global Academic Program Summit
April 29, 2015 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (EST)

Learn how to become an (ISC)2 Global Academic Program Member

Enhance the foundation of your institution's cybersecurity curricula and provide your students with a career pathway to success through the (ISC)2 Global Academic Program, a key (ISC)2 initiative that is part of the organization's commitment to address the growing gap in availability of qualified cybersecurity professionals. The (ISC)2 Global Information Security Workforce Study identified year-over-year growth in this availability gap dating back to 2004. As governments around the world seek to improve university curricula as part of their national cybersecurity strategies, (ISC)2 is making its educational resources, updated regularly by members and industry luminaries, available to academia to help meet the global demand for more skilled cybersecurity professionals.

Understanding the benefits of collaborating with (ISC)2:

• Training Seminar courses and textbooks based on the HCISPPSM, SSCP®, CISSP®, and other industry-relevant certifications. View the full suite of (ISC)2 credentials available here.
• Print and electronic media (e.g., textbooks, white papers, knowledge briefs, journal articles) 
• Certification practice tests (online and iOS formats) 
• Content licensing opportunities 
• Global student chapter outreach 
• Conference session tracks 
• Access to industry SMEs 
• Discounted faculty/student rates for certification exams 

Add to Calendar

Once you are approved by the host, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the session.

To view in other time zones or languages, please click here.

For more information on becoming a Global Academic Program member, visit www.isc2.org/academic or email academic@isc2.org.

New CompTIA Network+ Exam now available

As part of CompTIA's continuing commitment to providing the most relevant certifications in IT, the latest Network+ Exam (N10-006) has been released. Recommended as a first professional-level networking certification, Network+ is an ISO-17024 compliant, vendor-neutral certification for individuals who build, manage and protect data networks. Learn about the latest enhancements, and join the 400,000 people worldwide who are CompTIA Network+ certified. And, explore all the available CompTIA certifications that can help you reach your career goals.

Correction: ICT-Digital Media Sector Team Announces Certification Voucher Benefit for CCC Students and Faculty

[This corrected version includes some pricing changes and a different main contact] 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thousand Oaks, CA│ April 8, 2015

ICT-Digital Media Sector Team Announces Certification Voucher Benefit for CCC Students and Faculty

As you know, the high cost of certification exams can be a barrier for some students pursuing careers in ICT. We are pleased to announce that the ICT-Digital Media Sector has partnered with Genuine Genius Technologies to create a solution. Now your college can provide students a way to save 15-50% on the cost of certification exams. Students simply purchase a voucher through the California Community Colleges XVoucher Website at a discounted price, then use that voucher number when registering for an exam.

There are benefits for faculty, too:

• Each student voucher purchased helps qualify you for free CompTIA exams
• No more searching for your member number; students purchase completely on their own
• Gain insight on which exam vouchers are being purchased
• Students contact the XVoucher technical support team with problems or questions

Vouchers are now available for the following exams at a significant cost savings:

Exam	Retail Price	Voucher Price*	Savings
CompTIA A+	$194	$99.53	50%
CompTIA Network+	$277	$153.21	45%
CompTIA Security+	$302	$213.60	30%
Microsoft MCP Academic Exams	$150	$92.82	40%
Microsoft MCP IT Academy	$150	$82.01	45%
EC-Council CEH Exam	$500	$414	20%
EC-Council Self Study	$600	$518	15%

*Quoted prices subject to change

There is no cost to participate. Just follow these steps:

1.      Complete the XVoucher Registration Form with your college information.

2.      If your college is not yet a member of the CompTIA CAPP Academy Program, complete the online form on the CompTIA website to join at no cost.

3.      If you are interested in the new EC-Council Academic Program, contact our vendor partner, Carrie Shaffer, at Genuine Genius Technologies. She can give you information about the program and assist you in joining.

Once your college is registered, students can purchase vouchers through the California Community Colleges XVoucher Website at any time. Just give them the link and they’ll be ready to order.

And this is just the beginning. As we work to add more vendors, such as Adobe and Cisco, we will continue to strengthen the position of the California Community Colleges as a resource for ICT continuing education. Sign up today to take advantage of these exclusive benefits and give your students more bang for their buck!

Contact:

Steve Linthicum

Deputy Sector Navigator ICT-Digital Media

(916) 300-7602

slinthicum@sierracollege.edu

New exam for all professionals: CompTIA IT Fundamentals

If you want to gain a stronger background in the world of information technology, CompTIA has a new exam for you. The CompTIA IT Fundamentals certification was created for people considering a career in IT or who work in afield that requires a general background in IT -- like Sales or Marketing at a tech company. The IT Fundamentals exam also can be a stepping stone to more advanced CompTIA certifications. Purchasing vouchers for multiple students or staff? Check out our site license program that could benefit your school or company. Learn more about this exciting new program.

ICT-Digital Media Sector Team announces Certification Voucher benefit for CCC students and faculty.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thousand Oaks, CA April 8, 2015

ICT-Digital Media Sector Team announces Certification Voucher benefit for CCC students and faculty.

Certification Exam Vouchers

As you know, the high cost of certification exams can be a barrier for some students pursuing careers in ICT. We are pleased to announce that the ICT-Digital Media Sector has partnered with Genuine Genius Technologies to create a solution. Now your college can provide students a way to save from 20-50% on the cost of certification exams. Students simply purchase a voucher through the California Community Colleges XVoucher Website at a discounted price, then use that voucher number when registering for an exam.

There are benefits for faculty, too:

• Each student voucher purchased helps qualify you for free CompTIA exams
• No more searching for your member number; students purchase completely on their own
• Gain insight on which exam vouchers are being purchased
• Students contact the XVoucher technical support team with problems or questions

Vouchers are now available for the following exams at a significant cost savings:

Exam	Retail Price	Voucher Price	Savings
CompTIA A+	$194	$99.53	50%
CompTIA Network+	$277	$153.21	45%
CompTIA Security+	$302	$209.98	30%
Microsoft MCP Exams	$150	$91.20	40%
EC-Council CEH Exam	$500	$411	20%

There is no cost to participate. Just follow these easy steps:

1.      Complete the XVoucher Registration Form with your college information.

2.      If your college is not yet a member of the CompTIA CAPP Academy Program, complete the online form on the CompTIA website to join at no cost.

3.      If you are interested in the new EC-Council Academic Program, contact our vendor partner, Carrie Shaffer, at Genuine Genius Technologies. She can give you information about the program and assist you in joining.

Once your college is registered, students can purchase vouchers through the California Community Colleges XVoucher Website at any time. Just give them the link and they’ll be ready to order.

And this is just the beginning. As we work to add more vendors, such as Adobe and Cisco, we will continue to strengthen the position of the California Community Colleges as a resource for ICT continuing education. Sign up today to take advantage of these exclusive benefits and give your students more bang for their buck!

Contact:

Steve Wright
Sector Navigator ICT-Digital Media

805 496 8583

Get certified for less -- take the Server+ Beta Exam

Don't miss your opportunity to become one of the first certified in the latest CompTIA Server+ exam. CompTIA is looking for IT professionals to participate in the beta program for Server+, and those who pass will become certified at the time the final exam launches, in the last quarter of 2015 or the first quarter in 2016. This exam is only available to the first 400 people who take it. Don't miss your chance to become Server+ certified.

2015 Winter ICT Educator Conference – Presentation Archives Available on YouTube

January 5-6, 2015, MPICT co-hosted its Winter ICT Educator Conference in San Francisco.

More than 250 registered to attend physically.  Others attended remotely by clicking on presentation titles on the agenda and program at the scheduled times.

Presentation archives have been converted and are available on MPICT’s YouTube channel.

Most Winter Conference presentations were recorded.  A few were not, due to technical issues or presenter choices.  Click on links to launch YouTube videos.  Some presentations fit multiple tracks.

There were four keynotes for all:

·        Connecting the Dots:  From Awareness to Action in ICT Education and Workforce Development

James Jones, MPICT Executive Director, and Steve Wright, CCC ICT/DM Sector Navigator

·        Crisis in Computer Science Education and Workforce:  Chicago Responds

Brenda Wilkerson, Senior Manager, Computer Science & Information Technology Ed., Office of College and Career Success | Computer Science for All!

·        The Internet of Everything Changes Everything

Howard Charney, Senior Vice President, Office of the Chairman and CEO, Cisco Systems

·        Bridging the Skills Gap: Reflections on the Past, Present and Future of IT Credentialing

E. Clarke Porter, Founder and VP Pearson VUE

There were twelve presentations by industry representatives, sharing information and resources for improving ICT education:

·        Cisco Networking Academy, LPI.org & NDG Curriculum Partnership: Introducing Linux Essentials

·        IISME:  Gain Insight into Today’s Workforce Needs through Paid, Relevant, Rich, Revitalizing, Summer Fellowships

·        Juniper Networks Academic Alliance Program Update - New Resources for your Students!

·        NDG Linux Essentials – Course Overview and Train the Trainer Session

·        NDG LPIC-1 101 – Course Overview and Train the Trainer

·        Netapp:  Data Management Certification and Expertise - The Foundation for Careers in the Cloud - 1

·        Netapp:  Data Management Certification and Expertise - The Foundation for Careers in the Cloud - 2

·        Storage, Virtualization and Cloud Computing

·        Test Drive the Cloud Computing Labs from EMC and VMware using NDG's NETLAB+

·        The Internet of Everything:  Prepare Your Students with Courses from Cisco & Listen To What Employers Say!

·        What's New From CompTIA?

·        Where is IT Certification Headed: What Educators Need to Know

 There were 32 presentations by educators, sharing best practices:

·        ACM Competency Model of Core Learning Outcomes and Assessment for Associate-Degree Curriculum in IT

·        Active Learning in IT from Strategy to Execution

·        Adobe Certified Associate Certification – Campus Testing Model

·        At MassBay A Learning Community Project with a Twist

·        Bay Area ICT Faculty Forum Meeting

·        Best Practices for Implementation: Integrating the ICT Model Curriculum into your College's ICT-related Programs

·        Building Blocks of Successful IT Education Programs

·        Building High Impact K-14 ICT/DM Pathways in the East Bay Region

·        Creating and Distributing Video Lectures

·        Creating IT Pathway through the Reinvention of the Curriculum Development Process

·        Developing Programs/Courses for Emerging Occupations

·        Easily Store + Share your Media (and other) Files with 3C Media Solutions

·        Exploring Computer Science at SFUSD: Feedback from Teachers Trained in the Curriculum

·        First the BIG DIG, Now BIG DATA: Boston’s Experience Developing Big Data Curriculum

·        Help Your Counselors Get Students on ICT Career Pathways: MPICT ICT Counselor Toolkit (Begins at 3:45)

·        HELP! I need to understand IPv6! - 1

·        HELP! I need to understand IPv6! - 2

·        ICT Education and the California Open Textbook Initiative

·        ICT Model Curriculum - Gaining Momentum

·        Inside Microsoft's Cybercrime Center

·        Is Teaching Cloud Computing in Your Future?

·        Learn Strategies to Prepare Students for Internships and Jobs in the ICT/DM Sector

·        Make your videos stand out with great audio!

·        Skating to Where the Puck Will Be: A Framework for E-Books, Interactivity and Student Engagement - 1

·        Skating to Where the Puck Will Be: A Framework for E-Books, Interactivity and Student Engagement - 2

·        Speed Networking: An Effective and Alternative Way of Connecting Your ICT Students with Local Employers

·        Teaching Introductory C++ Using Programming Principles and Practice Using C++, by Bjarne Stroustrup

·        The Latest News from Microsoft on Windows 10, Server Next, Hyper-V, Azure and Office 365

·        The Teacher Externship: Exploring Quality Professional Development with Mission Bit, MPICT and SFUSD

·        Using Launchboard for Program Outcomes and Funding Support

·        Virtual Internships - an Alternative to Traditional Internships

Voices from the Field: Bridging the Gap Between ICT Education & Workforce

There were five presentations on improving diversity in ICT:

·        Beyond Marketing to Stealth Recruitment: Creating ICT Pathways from High School to College and Work for Underrepresented Groups

·        Nontraditional Students - How, What, and Why

·        Online Marketing Techniques for Recruiting Women to ICT

·        TechSpot 2.0: Providing Hands-on ICT Experience for Underserved Students

·        Using Lean Startup and Social Franchising Methods to Connect Low-Income Americans to Digital Work: SamaUSA Case Study

There were thirteen presentations focused on cybersecurity:

·        Bringing Security System Analysis to Classroom Environments

·        CAE Mapping the Knowledge Units

·        Course Materials for the New CompTIA CASP Certification

·        Cyber Security Instruction Using Virtual Environments – A Hands-On Session

·        Cybersecurity and Health Care Information Technology

·        Developing a Multi-function Security Course to Incorporate within Multiple Pathways

·        Introducing Security and Responsible Coding in Computing Courses

·        Is the Cyber Aces Program for You and Your Students?

·        NICE Challenges Project (Part 1&2) - Using NICE Framework Based Challenges to Enhance Cybersecurity Education

·        Partnerships and Processes Vital to the Development of a Cyber Security Program at Middlesex Community College

·        Retaliatory Hacking (a/k/a active defense and "hack back")

·        Something Like A Sport:   The Future of Cybersecurity Competitions

·        What is CAE-CAE/2Y and NICE:  How Do I Get It?

There were at least 7 hands-on labs not covered above:

·        Creating/Using a Virtual Windows 8.1 System

·        Developing Your First Cloud Foundry App

·        Exploit Development - 1

·        Introduction to Jquery Mobile

·        Using Intel XDK to Build Mobile Apps

·        Violent Python

·        Wireshark Network Protocol Labs for Netlab and ICT Certification Classes

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this a resounding success!

Please continue to communicate and work with each other!