LearnKey Blog

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.

Windows Server 2012: Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure 70-413

A few months back LearnKey released their 70-413 exam preparation course. Officially named Windows Server 2012 Server Infrastructure Design and Implementation, this video tutorial and training will prepare students for exam 70-413.

Authored by LearnKey expert Jason Manibog, students will be learn the skills required to implement, and maintain a Windows server and become competent in designing, deploying, and maintaining Windows Server 2012 infrastructure services. This new course is just one in a series of LearnKey’s Windows Server 2012 courseware.

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.

Welcome to the LearnKey Team: Beth Ciaramello

Beth Ciaramello

Please join me in welcoming Beth Ciaramello to LearnKey, supporting our Veteran Services team as our Job Ready Manager. Beth will be leading a new initiative finding employment for the students who complete our Blue Ocean program. Beth is a former military veteran who joins the team with five years of experience as a Career Adviser and possesses the tools and skills necessary to successfully place students in careers related to their field of study.

We are thrilled to have her join our team and take a minute to learn more about Beth and her new role.

  1. What is your professional background prior to being employed at LearnKey? I was with Everest College for six years. I started as the receptionist and quickly moved to Career Services. I was a Career Counselor for five years and successfully assisted over 500 graduates in meeting their professional goals.
  2. What is your military background? I was in the U.S. Army and served as a Military Police for one year. I was injured and received an honorable medical discharge. I am honored and lucky to be able to serve veterans and students in my new role with LearnKey.
  3. As the new LearnKey Veteran Services Job Ready Manager, how will your previous professional and military experience help you prepare veterans to find a job? As a Career Advisor for the last four years, I have a considerable amount of experience assisting graduates in finding careers in various fields. As a veteran, I also was the unofficial veteran liaison in the department, specifically writing resumes and preparing veterans for interviews.
  4. As a veteran, in 50 words or fewer, describe how your skills and experiences will be a benefit to the LKVS team. The United States Military trains individuals to be disciplined, motivated, and have strong teamwork and camaraderie. I am diligent and motivated to ensure all our graduates receive the assistance they need to meet their goals. I also bring with me my loyalty and initiative to assist my coworkers with any challenge they may face.
  5. What are the top three tips you would give to students who are just starting the job search?
    1. Be Prepared – Graduates/students starting a job search should have all the tools to search for positions. For example, resumes geared toward the position, interview questions and practice, and research, research, research—know the companies they are applying to.
    2. Stay Organized – Document the positions that they applied to and the results. This makes it easier to follow up with each company and know what to research when the interview is scheduled.
    3. Stay Positive – The job-searching process can be overwhelming. It is essential to stay positive and focused on the goal no matter how long it may take to find the ideal career. If a student or graduate loses sight of their goals they can reach out to LearnKey or friends and family to help motivate them and stay on track. In addition, networking can be the best way to finiding the perfect professional position.
  6. What five words would you use to describe yourself? Passionate, empathetic, energetic, adventurous, and strong.
  7. What do you do in your free time? I love to travel, be outdoors, go hiking, camping, and swimming. I would rather listen to hours of music than turn on the TV. I enjoy spending quality time with my friends, family, and my dogs. I am addicted to new experiences and I see every day as an adventure and enjoy finding something new to learn.

With the overwhelming success of our Blue Ocean program, we are really excited to offer this new service to those who have completed the Blue Ocean program.

Welcome to the LearnKey Team: Jason Manibog

Today we are thrilled to announce that Jason Manibog will join LearnKey as our resident expert IT Instructor.  Jason is a seasoned Microsoft Certified Trainer with over a decade of award-winning classroom experience and another seven years of experience building, authoring, and delivering on-camera and live demos in a large variety of e-learning courses. Adding Jason, who has the perfect blend of experience and training skills, enables LearnKey to continue to deliver the best possible learning experience through our IT & Career Ready Certification courseware.

Jason

Some of you may recognize Jason. While it is possible you might have seen him sinking some putts at a local golf course, you probably have seen him in some of our previous IT courses, such as SharePoint 2013Windows Server 2012 Server Infrastructure Design and Implementation, and Windows Server 2012 Advanced Server Infrastructure Implemention.

He is a great guy and I recently had a chance to interview him, as this was a pretty exciting hire for LearnKey!   He has worked with several of our production and writing staff members previously, therefore, we know he’s all about our core values: ease, value, and trust. He’s always been professional and easy to work with, has great value in the accuracy of his work, and our team members went out of their way to tell me how much they trust his delivery of our content on camera. Day one and he already has raving fans in the company!

Please take a minute to learn more about Jason through a fun Q&A:

  1. What is your educational background? I majored in Communications and minored in Speech at Cal State University Dominguez Hills.  Growing up, I was always told I talked too much, so I figured that is what I should do.  More recently, I have been a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) for six years now.  I have multiple Microsoft, CompTIA,  Adobe, and other industry-recognized certifications.
  2. What is your professional background prior to being employed at LearnKey? For most of the past 15 years, I have been a computer trainer in the classroom and have done the occasional business consulting (and even built courses for LearnKey!).  I have also authored several computer training books specifically for the computer training center market.
  3. Describe effective learning techniques or ideas you hope to bring to LearnKey courseware. I always try to use a good mixture of the three main methods of learning: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic (using humor works, too).  Plus, I try to make the material relate to real-life situations as much as possible.  My goal is to help people reach both their certification and career goals.
  4. What five words would you use to describe yourself?  Energetic, driven, humorous, kind, and caring.
  5. What are three tips every student learning online could benefit from?
    1. If you feel like studying, study.  If you don’t, don’t.  The worst time to try to take a course is when you don’t feel like doing it.
    2. Take breaks from watching and practice.  The courses we build will have plenty of chances for practice.
    3. Try to relate any learning to a real-life situation.  For example, if you are trying to learn Excel, build some Excel files for items such as a home budget or expenses.  In other words, don’t just take the course, DO the course.
  6. In 50 words or fewer, describe what skills and knowledge you will bring to the LearnKey team. I have always tried to be as versatile of an instructor as possible, both in being able to write and deliver courses and explain things in many different ways.  My goal is to bring that forward with the outstanding team I am privileged to join.
  7. If you could be a super hero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
    1. Cure multiple sclerosis.
    2. Reverse this trend of more and more empty hair follicles on my head.
    3. Get better at golf.
  8. What do you do in your free time? Spend time with my beautiful wife Joan and our two adorable cats, Ivey and Luske.  And, continue the never-ending quest of trying to be halfway decent at golf. I also watch a ton of baseball and hockey.

We are glad to have you on our team, Jason, and are looking forward to your positive impact on our courses!

New Course Release: Windows Server 2012 Advanced Server Infrastructure Implementation

Check out our new Windows Server 2012 Advanced Server Infrastructure Implementation course.

In LearnKey’s Windows Server 2012 Advanced Server Infrastructure Implementation course, students will learn the skills required to design, implement, and maintain a Windows Server. Join LearnKey expert Jason Manibog as he prepares students to become competent in designing, deploying, and maintaining a Windows Server 2012 infrastructure service. This course will prepare students to take exam 70-414.

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.

CompTIA Linux+ Certification Training Courses Released

LearnKey’s CompTIA Linux+ Part I LX0-103 & CompTIA Linux+ Part II LX0-104 certification training courses will provide students with the knowledge they need to feel confident and prepared when they take their certification exams. Earning a Linux+ certification is perfect for those who are interest in obtaining a job in web or systems/network administration.

Linux+ Part I (LX0-103) Course

In LearnKey’s Linux+ Part I course users will join LearnKey expert Michael Solomon as they learn about Linux+. This course will cover topics such as: GNU/UNIX commands, Linux installation, package management, devices, file systems/systems hierarchy, and more.

Linux+ Part II (LX0-104) Course

In LearnKey’s Linux+ Part II course users will again join LearnKey expert Michael Solomon as they learn about Linux+. This course will cover topics such as: scripting, shells, data management, administrative tasks, desktops, user interface, networking fundamentals, essential system services, security, and more.

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.

New Course Release: OS X Fundamentals

We are excited to announce the release of our OS X Fundamentals course today! This training and assessment video is part of our Computer Foundations video training, and was made to help Mac users with the basic functions and uses of their computer. Many people use computers on a daily basis, so it is important to know the basics of how to operate their computer.

OS X Fundamentals Course

The OS X Fundamentals course is designed for a user new to the world of Mac computers. Specifically demonstrated on OS X Yosemite, LearnKey’s fundamentals course demonstrates the most common functions of the operating system to enable a new user to feel confident in their ability to use a Mac. The course covers systems preference basics, desktop, customization, out of the box setup, installing/uninstalling apps, and much more.

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

New Course Release: Project 2013

LearnKey’s Project 2013 course will introduce learners to the new features of Project 2013. Join LearnKey expert Michael Solomon as you learn how to start a project, create a schedule, manage resources, and more. This course is perfect for beginners and experts alike.

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.

New Course Release: Windows 8.1 Configuration

In LearnKey’s Windows 8.1 Configuration course students will learn what’s new in the latest Microsoft operating system: Windows 8.1. Join LearnKey expert Tom Carpenter as he covers topics such as upgrading to Windows 8.1, remote access, mobility, and more! Once you understand the new features and changes in this OS, you will see that it is a pleasure to work with.

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

New Course Release – Security+ (SY0-401)

We are excited to be releasing our new Security+ course. This course is perfect for those who are working to move forward in their IT career or keeping their skills and knowledge up-to-date.

Security+ (SY0-401)

In LearnKey’s Security+ course students will develop their understanding of network administration by gaining this CompTIA certification. Students will develop an understanding of network administration and will learn how to secure and manage all facets of a network from CPU cycles to software used by individuals or across a network. Security+ is the next level to attain certification for every IT network administrator.

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