If you're hoping to formalise your skill set at the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) level of study, the latest courses on sale are based on CD and DVD ROM's using interactive training. Whether you're an IT professional but are about to polish up your CV, or are new to network support, you will be able to choose from hands-on MCSA study programmes to fulfil your needs.
Each level requires a different type of course, so pay attention to check you're being offered the best one when investing your cash. Find a company that has the courtesy to get to know what you'd like to do, and can help you work out what you want to do, before they advise on a course.
It only makes sense to consider study courses which lead to industry recognised exams. There's an endless list of small companies promoting 'in-house' certificates which will prove unusable in today's commercial market.
From an employer's perspective, only the major heavyweights like Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA (as an example) give enough bang for your buck. Nothing else will cut the mustard.
A key training course package will undoubtedly also offer accredited exam preparation systems.
Avoid depending on unauthorised exam papers and questions. The terminology of their questions can be quite different - and this could lead to potential problems when it comes to taking the real exam.
'Mock' or practice exams will prove very useful as a tool for logging knowledge into your brain - so that when you come to take the real thing, you won't be worried.
An important area that is sometimes not even considered by people considering a training program is 'training segmentation'. Essentially, this is the way the course is divided up for delivery to you, which completely controls how you end up.
You may think it logical (with a typical time scale of 1-3 years to achieve full certification,) for your typical trainer to courier a single section at a time, as you pass each element. But:
What would happen if you didn't finish each and every module at the proposed pace? And maybe you'll find their order of completion won't be as easy as another different route may.
For the perfect solution, you want ALL the study materials up-front - giving you them all to return to any point - whenever it suits you. You can also vary the order in which you complete each objective if another more intuitive route presents itself.
If you're like many of the students we talk to then you're a practical sort of person - the 'hands-on' person. If you're like us, the painful task of reading endless manuals is something you'll make yourself do if you have to, but it's not really your thing. You should use video and multimedia based materials if you'd really rather not use books.
Many years of research has time and time again confirmed that connecting physically with our study, is proven to produce longer-lasting and deeper memory retention.
Courses are now available on CD and DVD discs, where everything is taught on your PC. Using video-streaming, you can watch instructors demonstrating how something is done, with some practice time to follow - in a virtual lab environment.
It makes sense to see examples of the courseware provided before you make your decision. You should expect instructor-led video demonstrations and interactive audio-visual sections with practice modules.
Avoiding training that is delivered purely online is generally a good idea. Physical CD or DVD ROM materials are preferable where obtainable, so you can use them wherever and whenever you want - it's not wise to be held hostage to a quality and continuous internet connection.
Each level requires a different type of course, so pay attention to check you're being offered the best one when investing your cash. Find a company that has the courtesy to get to know what you'd like to do, and can help you work out what you want to do, before they advise on a course.
It only makes sense to consider study courses which lead to industry recognised exams. There's an endless list of small companies promoting 'in-house' certificates which will prove unusable in today's commercial market.
From an employer's perspective, only the major heavyweights like Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA (as an example) give enough bang for your buck. Nothing else will cut the mustard.
A key training course package will undoubtedly also offer accredited exam preparation systems.
Avoid depending on unauthorised exam papers and questions. The terminology of their questions can be quite different - and this could lead to potential problems when it comes to taking the real exam.
'Mock' or practice exams will prove very useful as a tool for logging knowledge into your brain - so that when you come to take the real thing, you won't be worried.
An important area that is sometimes not even considered by people considering a training program is 'training segmentation'. Essentially, this is the way the course is divided up for delivery to you, which completely controls how you end up.
You may think it logical (with a typical time scale of 1-3 years to achieve full certification,) for your typical trainer to courier a single section at a time, as you pass each element. But:
What would happen if you didn't finish each and every module at the proposed pace? And maybe you'll find their order of completion won't be as easy as another different route may.
For the perfect solution, you want ALL the study materials up-front - giving you them all to return to any point - whenever it suits you. You can also vary the order in which you complete each objective if another more intuitive route presents itself.
If you're like many of the students we talk to then you're a practical sort of person - the 'hands-on' person. If you're like us, the painful task of reading endless manuals is something you'll make yourself do if you have to, but it's not really your thing. You should use video and multimedia based materials if you'd really rather not use books.
Many years of research has time and time again confirmed that connecting physically with our study, is proven to produce longer-lasting and deeper memory retention.
Courses are now available on CD and DVD discs, where everything is taught on your PC. Using video-streaming, you can watch instructors demonstrating how something is done, with some practice time to follow - in a virtual lab environment.
It makes sense to see examples of the courseware provided before you make your decision. You should expect instructor-led video demonstrations and interactive audio-visual sections with practice modules.
Avoiding training that is delivered purely online is generally a good idea. Physical CD or DVD ROM materials are preferable where obtainable, so you can use them wherever and whenever you want - it's not wise to be held hostage to a quality and continuous internet connection.
About the Author:
(C) 2009. Look at LearningLolly.com for excellent ideas on Microsoft MCSA and MCSA 2008.