LearnKey Blog

IC3 GS5 Training: Learn About IC3 GS5 Computing Fundamentals

Joining our recently released IC3 GS5: Key Applications Course, I am excited to introduce our soon to be released IC3 GS5: Computing Fundamentals course.

The Computing Fundamentals course covers hardware and Internet basics, mobile devices, troubleshooting, cloud computing, security, and more!—all tied to the concepts outlined in the IC3 GS5 objectives.

  • The course is split into eight sections that focus on specific areas of the exam objectives to help you focus your studies.
  • Actual devices are shown during the course in simple scenarios that demonstrate basic connections and settings.
  • The project workbook, which accompanies the course, offers further practice with the concepts discussed in the course. Be sure to use this resource to refine your skills.

Here are a few tips for getting the most out of the course:

  • Pace yourself—if something isn’t clear or you didn’t quite follow the demonstration, pause, rewind, and review the section. Don’t rush the training; it’ll be there for you when you’re ready.
  • Take a break—as with pacing, taking a break can help you keep your focus and help you better retain the information you’re learning.
  • Where possible, practice with your own hardware to solidify the concepts demonstrated in the course.
  • Be sure to take notes—there may be topics that you’re less sure about. That’s okay. Use your notes to help you focus on areas to review or to guide your use of the project workbook.
  • Set a reasonable deadline for completion—be honest with the time you have available and how well you’re progressing through the training and plan a date to take your exam.

The Computing Fundamentals course covers topics that will benefit you beyond your exam preparation. Have fun and good luck!

MTA Training and Certification Courseware

Today I am excited to tell you a little bit about MTA Mobility and Fundamentals (98-368), our upcoming MTA training and certification course.

As with any certification track, new MTA exams come out from time to time. This year, Microsoft released exam 98-368 (Mobility and Device Fundamentals) and 98-369 (Cloud Fundamentals).  We at LearnKey are happy to announce that over the next several months, we will be producing both of these courses. Specifically, I want to talk to you today about 98-368. This course, due to be released this fall, replaces exam 98-349 as the IT world partially transfers from laptop/desktop environments to laptop/desktop/device environments.  This exam will cover managing devices both from a user standpoint and an administrative standpoint.  By devices we are talking mostly about tablets, but the course will also look into deploying company-based apps and other infrastructure pieces onto smartphones.

This course will include video training, solid test prep materials in the form of practice test assessments and a course workbook, and labs to help you practice the concepts needed not only to pass this exam but to also confidently administer mobile devices in your workplace.

IC3 Training: Introducing IC3 GS5 Key Applications

The first of LearnKey’s new IC3 GS5 training, IC3 GS5 Key Applications, has been released. Read below to learn more about this awesome course.

The Key Applications course focuses on common application features, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation apps, and even a bit on databases—all in-line with the IC3 GS5 objectives.

  • The course is split into five sections that focus on each primary area of the exam objectives, enabling you to target your studies.
  • The files used as examples in the course are supplied, which allows you to easily follow along in the course.
  • The project workbook, which accompanies the course, offers further practice with the concepts discussed in the course. Be sure to use this resource to refine your skills.

Here are a few tips for getting the most out of the course:

  • Pace yourself – if something isn’t clear or you didn’t quite follow the demonstration, pause, rewind, and review the section. Don’t rush the training, it’ll be there for you when you’re ready.
  • Take a break – as with pacing, taking a break can help you keep your focus and help you better retain the information you’re learning.
  • Take notes – there may be topics that you’re less sure about. That’s okay. Use your notes to help you focus on areas to review or to guide your use of the project workbook.
  • Give yourself a deadline – Be honest with the time you have available and how well you’re progressing through the training and plan a date to take your exam.

Don’t forget to have fun! The skills taught in the Key Applications training aren’t just for the exam, they’re skills for life.

IC3 GS5 Key Applications Training, Test Prep, and Assessments Released!

I am excited to announce the release of our IC3 GS5 Key Applications course. The first in a series of three courses, this video-based training course covers all of the exam objectives and practice assessments, projects, and labs that will prepare you for the certification exam.

Key Applications author Wyett Ihler recently blogged in greater detail about some of the benefits and features of this course. Click here to learn more and find some great exam tips.

Over the next couple of months keep an eye out for Computer Fundamentals and Living Online.

Our hope is that through our courseware we may provide learners with the guidance, preparation, and skills they need to succeed. For more information and to learn about additional LearnKey products visit our website

MTA Career Path Overview

The Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification track is a great way for those looking to enter the IT career field to gain knowledge and a Microsoft certification, which will always enhance a resume when looking to obtain a position.

The MTA certifications are in the first rung on the ladder of Microsoft certifications. Once a person has some tangible experience in an IT discipline, the next certification to get is a Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate certification (MCSA). From there, the next level of expertise and prestige in Microsoft certifications is that of a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE).

So what does this pyramid of certifications look like?  Here is an example track for one trying to become a Windows Server administrator, taken directly from Microsoft’s web site:

MTA Overview

We currently have five MTA courses in our library and plan on releasing a sixth course by the end of the year.

Exam 98-361: Software Development Fundamentals

Exam 98-364: Database Fundamentals

Exam 98-365: Windows Server Administration Fundamentals

Exam 98-366: Networking Fundamentals

Exam 98-367: Security Fundamentals

If you think a career in the IT field is for you and the MTA certifications are your path, give us a call or visit our website and we will get your started.

New A+ Certification (220-901 & 220-902) courses on the Horizon!

Hello, it’s me again, your humble senior instructor. From time to time, I will be sharing with you all what we are working on, so that you will know what training and assessment courses to look forward to over the next couple of months.

My team and I have just started work on the next series of A+ certification exam courses, otherwise known as the 900 series (exams 220-901 and 220-902 for those of you totally into exam numbers). This course is due to be released this winter and, without revealing too much (after all, you need to have something to look forward to, right?), here is what our plans are for the next edition of A+:

  • This will be a very interactive and engaging learning experience consisting of video-based instruction, a comprehensive project workbook, and test prep material that will sharpen your skills for the two A+ exams.
  • This course will also prepare you for the typical job an A+ certified person has – that of an entry-level IT technician.
  • This course will enhance your knowledge of computer hardware, mobile devices, networking, troubleshooting, and working with operating systems.

This course is going to continue to use the training methods we incorporated in our recently released Network+ course, that of outcome-based learning. Learning is always more fun and engaging when you have finished outcomes you can use to tie back to real-life situations and, of course, passing certification tests.

So, stay tuned as we work to bring you a truly engaging A+ learning experience that you will want to give, well, an A+ grade!

Network+ 2015 Training, Test Prep, and Assessments Released Today!

I am excited to announce the release of our newest CompTIA Network+ N10-006 course. This 10-hour video-based training course covers all of the N10-006 objectives and boasts practice assessments, projects, and labs that will prepare you to take the certification exam.

Recently Jason Manibog, the author of this course blogged in more detail about the features of Network+ and provided some great exam tips. Click Here to read his blog.

Network+ is the second CompTIA test prep course we have released this year, joining Security+, which was released earlier this year, and A+ early next year.

Our hope is that through our courseware we may provide learners with the guidance, preparation, and skills they need to succeed. For more information and to learn about additional LearnKey products visit our website.

Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) – Coming This Fall

I am excited to share with you today some information about our CASP exam preparation course. This course covers the objectives for the CAS-002 exam and will prepare you to successfully earn this CompTIA Certification.

This CASP certification course is perfect for those who are Security+ certified and are looking for the next step up in the world of a certified security expert. According to LearnKey expert Tom Carpenter, who is the expert for this course as well as our Security+ (SY0-401) course, this CASP training and assessment course is for those who are well-experienced in IT and in hands-on, practical security experience. Specifically, this certification targets those who have 10 or more years of IT experience and 5 or more years of hands-on, practical security experience.

So what makes this CASP certification so prestigious? For starters, CASP is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense to meet Information Assurance (IA) technical and management certification requirements. Furthermore, many top corporations, including Dell and HP, make this a staple for their advanced security personnel.

With the heightened awareness regarding overall information security and cyber-security, the demand for a cyber-security professional is high. In fact, according to careerinfonet.org, the job of Information Security Analyst is the second-fastest growing occupation for those with a college degree.

Exam CAS-002 itself covers five major domains: Enterprise Security; Risk Management and Incident Responses; Research and Analysis; Integration of Computing, Communications and Business Disciplines; and Technical Integration of Enterprise Components. For this 80-question exam, you will want thorough knowledge and experience in all five areas.

In the course, Carpenter points out that though the test objectives do not specifically mention knowing how to administer operating systems both from a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and via a command line, you will want to make sure you have that knowledge for this test.

So, if security is your interest and you have a combination of experience and certifications, this course is the next step in your security career. For more information on other LearnKey courseware check out our product listing on our website.

IC3 GS5 Key Applications – Coming Soon

LearnKey will soon be releasing their new IC3 GS5 Key Applications training and assessment later this summer, in advance of the anticipated release of the new Certiport IC3 GS5  certification exam later this year.

So, what can you expect in the new IC3 GS5 Key Fundamentals video-based training course?

  • The IC3 GS5 series has been split into three courses that will  match the three exams that make up the IC3 GS5 certification. This will allow you to focus and prepare one exam at-a-time.
  • Throughout the course there are opportunities for learners to practice and reinforce the material in the course through quizzes and simulations that don’t require you to leave the training.
  • A project workbook to help you cement the concepts you’ll need to know and practice the skills you’ll need to demonstrate when taking the exam.

As the face of LearnKey’s IC3 series I would like to share a few tips I employed while I prepared for the IC3 exam:

  • Be Honest -Be honest with yourself in what you do and do not know. Remember, it’s okay to not know something – that’s why you are studying for the exam!
  • Take Notes –  Write down the topics or ideas you encounter in the training that may be unfamiliar and then use your notes to find the information in the project workbook, glossary, and test to help you gain an understanding. Also, take the time to re-watch the sections of the training that cover the material in your notes.
  • Take Your Time – Rushing to prepare for an exam yields mixed results at best remember your’re not only practicing skills for use on an exam, you’re practicing skills you can use for life.
  • Set a Reasonable Deadline – I just told you to take your time, but there are those among us (and yes, I am sometimes one) who may just continue to take time. So, set a goal or a deadline when you plan to take the exam. This will also help you to better plan your study and training time.
  • Have Fun – Above all, have fun with it.

This course has a team of IC3 certified writers and designers. We have redesigned and retooled everything to improve the learning experience and make the IC3 series the best LearnKey courseware yet!

Network+ 2015 Training N10-006, Test Prep and Assessments are here!

LearnKey will be releasing their newest CompTIA Network+ N10-006 training and assessment course later this month. This 10-hour video-based training course will cover the Network+ 2015 exam CompTIA recently released.

This course is geared for all styles of learning and we have made many new enhancements to make this course better than ever. Read below to learn about some of the top features of this course:

  • Several pre-assessment tests and post-assessment tests to help you sharpen your skills in your test prep time for this course. There are over 600 practice questions in this course to help you get ready for the exam.
  • A project workbook with over 100 practice exercises consisting of hands-on labs, conceptual design exercises, and troubleshooting exercises to sharpen your test and real-life skills.
  • Interactive labs you can use to try simulated networking concepts and practice for possible performance-based questions on the test.
  • The project workbook is a major and important feature with this Network+ course and a model for future courses. There is a vast increase in the number of real-world exercises, situations, and examples. The workbook will be released simultaneously with the video and test prep portion of this course.

Our goal with this enhancement is simple: To give you many avenues of learning for the Network+ exam.

So, as your humble course author, here are my four tips for success in this course:

  • Pace yourself. Mix up your time with videos, taking practice questions, and doing the exercises and interactive labs. Learning is always more enjoyable when you are not in one medium for too long.
  • The objectives have changed about 30 percent when you compare this to the previous iteration of Network+, the Network+ 2012 course. If you have studied in the past for Network+, make sure you spend ample time on the newer topics, especially the newest wireless standards and the types of specialized networks covered (industrial and voice, just to name two).
  • Practice the concepts covered in this course. Far too often, people view a course, read a few cheat sheet notes, take one or two test prep exams and then think they are ready for the test. Take the time to get some practice time in. It will really sharpen your learning.
  • In the project workbook, make sure you study and know the topics in the “Points to remember for test (and beyond)” sections.

Have fun in your journey to become a member of the Network+ certified club!