Certification Recommendation

I would say CompTIA Tech+, which you've mentioned already.

I would also look at Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (MS-900) or AWS Cloud Practitioner if you're looking at cloud stuff.

/r

I agree that Tech+ is a realistic cert. A+ is two exams and has far too many exam objectives to be covered in that timeframe.

I would think the A+ and MS-900 would be realistic... as long as (as you mentioned) they all have prior IT experience.

Gregory Childers said:

I agree that Tech+ is a realistic cert. A+ is two exams and has far too many exam objectives to be covered in that timeframe.

Click to expand...

Good point you have here, A+ with so many objectives and 2 exams to sit for, it is not recommended at this level.

Ibrahim Mohamed said:

Good point you have here, A+ with so many objectives and 2 exams to sit for, it is not recommended at this level.

Click to expand...

I know there's always that push to get the kiddos into those core exams. And perhaps there are 1-2 students in a classroom of 30 that may be able to step up to that. Tough to get good training across with a class period of 50 minutes on average, with, maybe about 35 minutes of actual teaching, apart from all the administration stuff.

I'll echo Rick Butler - and add; AWS Cloud Practitioner has a gamified learning platform https://aws.amazon.com/training/digital/aws-cloud-quest/
that HS students (and others) enjoy.

I would say CompTIA Tech+, which you've mentioned already.

I would also look at Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (MS-900) or AWS Cloud Practitioner if you're looking at cloud stuff.

Click to expand...

Chiming in since we are talking about certifications, for Security+ at a 4 year college, I feel it should be a higher level class (I guess it depends what is all taught, etc.) but does anyone have the class they teach and what level are you teaching it in? We do 2 parts which is amazing but I need to find a way to get it into the students brains, YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MASTER WHEN YOU READ THE CONTENT DAY 1, it takes times. It's an intimidating class for those who are jumping into cybersecurity. What are ways you approach it and make it less intimidating for the students that (I was once this person) read the content and NEED to know it ALL? I've let them know I was you to understand the concept because you see it more than once. Obviously we teach content, not to pass the certification. They have extra time after for those who want to take the voucher to study more which is nice, but I'm trying to find different approaches and a less scary class Throw methods and thoughts at me! How do you break it down? Do you take out labs? have them do different activities? Hope I'm posting in the right forum and keep to keep it going!

@Tangobro If you can (sorry if this was mentioned) have them do journals (I give mine 3 or 4 questions to think more cybersecurity) and let them know to remember to not break anything regarding CIA. With the students attending the internship, can you have them do assignments? little "journals?" I do journals and always ask the question of "when you go to your site, do you see a card reading? do you use a card to get in? Is there a rule to not hold the door open for someone? What about if you know the person? (This one is fun because you can always let them know they are thinking smart BUT what about if the employee was fired, you let them in, and now they are disgruntled?"
I haven't taken Tech+ but if you can, create a group in Canva, they can make flashcards and have fun with it Canva is free for k-12 teachers and students. They do have eligibility guidelines here: https://www.canva.com/education/eligibility-guidelines/ but teaching college students, I go back to games, and fun. They love it, learn, and have a great time vs. sweating and crying in the corner because college is college and it's scary!!!
Hope this helped!!!! I think Tech+ is manageable, remember teachers and students get Microsoft 365 for free Microsoft 365 Student and Faculty Licenses but remember Microsoft offers free training, and they have the student hub for more information: Microsoft Learn Student Hub The one major thing I notice is students that come into college struggle using Office 365 because they use Outlook's 365 and don't download the suite which has all the bells and whistles so when they realize here is a fancy key vs. what Office 365 provides they learn and ask questions "When I open my Word, the bar for autosave is on" I'll ask them "Where is it going?" This is more Introduction to Computers but a lot of students sometimes forget the basics and what is all out there! YOU GOT THIS!!!!