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Choosing an MCSA Course

December 29th, 2008
by Scott Edwards

The Microsoft MCSA course is an ideal qualification for anyone looking to get into network support. Whether you’re about to join the IT industry or already have experience but need to formalise your skills with certification, the right training exists for you.

Each of these scenarios needs a different solution, so make sure you’re on the right training programme before getting your credit card out. Find an organisation that takes the time to understand you, and what you’re looking to do, and one that has the ability to give you the information you need to make your decision.

A good advisor should have the ability to work out which type of job will suit you best – based on your personality, likes and dislikes in the working environment (and explain why!). They should also be able to give you a good understanding of what the job entails.

Once you’re happy, choose a course to suit your current skill level so you’re not dropped in at the deep end! Only choose recognised training courses that are in demand in industry.

Modern training courses are delivered on a library of discs which comprise of the latest state-of-the-art video tutorials, detailed on-screen demonstrations and interactive environments where you can practice what you’ve just learned. This is the easiest and most natural way to learn – you repeat as often as you like, and not a book in sight.

When studying for an MCSA course you’ll need full support. Unfortunately many colleges only offer ‘office hours’ support – backed up with an out-of-hours message system. They claim this is 24/7 support but you’re unable to communicate with a tutor at the most common times students study i.e. evenings and weekends. So if you are studying alongside a job, be warned.

You’ll appreciate the need for real 24/7 support once you start. When you need assistance, even if it’s at 1am on a Sunday, there should be a team of tutors available to help you there and then, avoiding irksome interruptions that mess up your momentum.

Because of the quality of this training environment, there’s no need to attend classroom based lessons – you’re getting individual attention from the comfort of your own home. This makes your life much easier, with no need to travel away from your home and family.

Another must for any training course of this level is that it includes exam practice software. These are mock-exam tests that let you practice prior to sitting the real thing – They allow you to measure your results to know when you’re ready and get used to the way the questions are asked. Used properly it will ensure you pass first time. Without such a tool it’s unlikely to happen and your fees through re-sitting will mount up.

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Computer Networking Courses

December 20th, 2008
by Scott Edwards

Anyone interested in networking and computer courses, should first of all think about which area of industry they’d like to work in. This is relevant, as different skills are needed depending on the job you’re looking to do. It may be useful to get some advise before you choose a course.

Look at the sort of networking job you’re considering, discuss what it entails, and cover any other related options. This will give you enough information to decide what you really want to do. Then take advice on the most appropriate course of computer training to achieve your goal, with a start level based on your current networking skills.

What You Need To Know About Training Companies…

The standard of training can vary greatly between companies, so it’s vital to know what you should be looking out for. Once you’ve got a handle on this, and done your research, you should be able to make an informed choice.

Many colleges use materials that have now been superceded – they don’t always update their courses every time Microsoft makes a change, as it becomes too expensive for them. Some still use the same training methods they’ve used for years; book-based teaching supplemented with the odd CD ROM and classroom visits.

For students to complete their computer networking course, this often means they’re expected to repeatedly travel to a training centre. With the cost of petrol and accommodation today, that can easily amount to several hundred or even a thousand pounds on top of the cost of the course.

Class attendance is required by these companies because their training materials and support alone aren’t good enough. The high running costs of such institutions have to be passed on to their students, so they claim their colleges have credibility in order to justify charging hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds more.

With modern interactive training and proper 24/7 support, there’s no longer any need for in-centre attendance.

What constitutes proper support? Most people put time into their studies in the evenings and at weekends, as their training is fitted in around their work schedule. This means their learning time is out of office hours.

To keep the momentum going, students should be able to reach an instructor whenever they need one. Whatever time they’re working on their course, someone should be available to help if questions come up that they can’t find answers to.

The reality with most colleges is often very different…

Their so called 24/7 support usually means catching a tutor during office hours between lectures, and leaving a message out of hours for someone to call you back (in office hours), sometimes two to three days later.

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