Saturday, May 3, 2008

Affordable Computer Training

Over the last decade, computer technology has revolutionized almost every aspect of life. Individuals, small business firms, large organizations, and multinational conglomerates have adopted the use of computer systems to automate their working environments in order to increase overall productivity. Computer technology is used for the purposes of manufacturing, employment, communication, marketing, and advertising, allowing individuals and organizations to successfully surpass competition. According to recent research, the field of Information Technology is one of the fastest growing sectors of employment, accounting for one out of four new jobs created between the years 2000 and 2010. The need for appropriate computer training is felt to meet requirements of new job openings. A large number dedicated firms and organizations provide a wide selection of computer training courses. Individuals and companies feel the need to invest in quality computer training programs for increasing efficiency.

One of the best ways to acquire affordable computer training without compromising on quality of teaching is to opt for an online training program. A large number of websites online offer relevant courses at economical rates. The training program offered online is a correspondence course using books and guides provided by the website.

Computer training schools may also provide economically viable training programs in the form of a package deal. The school may offer one program at a particular price and another program as a part of the package for free, making it extremely affordable on the whole. Interested candidates can also look for schools that provide courses that teach only the preferred programs instead of pursuing a longer course that would offer training on undesired subjects. Candidates are also advised to be on the look out for any special offers from computer training schools throughout the year.

It is advisable to compare computer-training programs offered by various schools and sites and then pick the most affordable option. The Internet provides one of the best ways of evaluating the credentials and affordability of different computer training courses.

Computer Training provides detailed information on Computer Training, Computer Internet Training, Computer Graphic Training, Computer Forensics Training and more. Computer Training is affiliated with Computer Science Education.

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Friday, April 11, 2008

How to Become a Computer Technician - Training, Experience, and Certification

The computer technician, or information technician (IT) as they are often called, has almost unlimited opportunity in the job market today. The field does have certain requirements. It is a three pronged thing. First, you must learn. This is the training stage. It can begin as early as high school. The training does not have to be all inside the classroom either. As more and more homes have personal computers, the opportunities for home CBT, or computer based training increases. A person with a serious interest in becoming a computer technician will spend at least as much time trying to understand how a computer game works as they do actually playing the game.

The second stage of preparation is the gaining of experience. The computer field is not all that much different from many other technical based fields. There is only so much you can learn from a book, and the rest you have to learn in a hands on environment. You have to roll your sleeves up and get your hands dirty. The third aspect of preparation is Certification. It is the combination of training and experience and it is the tangible indication of your skill.

One major one is the A+ certification. It is also called the ComTia A+ Certification after the Computing Technology Industry Association. This certificate is vendor neutral which means it spans the full spectrum of hardware and software producers. It covers the basics of computer technology including installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking. It also explores the domains of security, safety, and even environmental issues and professional standards. A+ boot camps are intensive training course designed to not only prepare you for the certification examination, but also to provide practical and hands on training.

Another certificate program that is highly desirable for the computer technician is the MCSE certification. This is the Microsoft Certified System Engineer. You can prepare for this certification at a MCSE boot camp also. This prepares you to work with Microsoft 2000 and 2003 Windows platforms and Microsoft Server Systems.

The proper preparation for a career as a computer technician is going to involve all three of these aspects. There are no real shortcuts to success here. You are going to need training, experience, and ultimately Certification to prosper. There are different ways to achieve these goals, and boot camps are one of the best ways to take care of all three at the same time.

Natalie Aranda writes about technology and career. A+ Certification is vendor neutral which means it spans the full spectrum of hardware and software producers. A+ boot camps are intensive training course designed to not only prepare you for the certification examination, but also to provide practical and hands on training. As more and more homes have personal computers, the opportunities for home CBT, or computer based training increases. A person with a serious interest in becoming a computer technician will spend at least as much time trying to understand how a computer game works as they do actually playing the game.

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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Computer Training is an investment, not a cost

Computer Training is often viewed as a cost and therefore something that should be kept to a minimum or even avoided. In times of recession and economic slowdown it is often one of the first overheads that gets cut from the budget. However it should be viewed as an investment in both the short and longer terms as there are a number of key benefits of formally training yourself and your staff, some are more measurable than others. Here are four important advantages of training:

1 - Increase in productivity: This is the most measurable and therefore to many the most important. For example formal software training can teach you and your staff how to use the product more efficiently, allowing you more time to spend on other activities. You can also learn about the advanced features of a product that you have not previously had the opportunity to use.

2 - Increase in confidence: No-one likes to feel that they are standing still. Learning something new is a good way to give you a boost in confidence, usually one that is also carried outside of the workplace.

3 - The out of the office factor: A change is as good as a rest or so they say. Especially if you're office based a break in the routine can only serve to refresh your mind and give you renewed energy.

4 - Networking: Training companies hold public-scheduled courses for up to 12 people at a time giving you up to 11 people to network with.

About the Author: David Carrier has nearly ten years experience working in the IT Education and Training field. He founded Inventio Consulting in 2003 to serve clients throughout the UK by acting as a vendor neutral training reseller, finding courses and services that best suit their individual needs

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Monday, January 28, 2008

Computer Schools In Canada

Computer schools serve to provide education to people who wish to learn about computers and use them for their own specific purpose. Computer schools in Canada have many years of experience in providing focused, relevant career training. Such computer schools also offer diploma programs that include business administration, accounting, programming, networking and a wide variety of medical programs. Many people consider it wise to invest in computer education, as more and more jobs are dependent on the usage of computers.

The learning system in computer schools is based on two methods of training for adult learners. The first method allows instructors to provide lecture-based education. A competency-based training program provides applicable skill development for the chosen computer program. Computer schools in Canada are equipped with the latest software and hardware tools for students planning on joining various computer industries.

There are many computer schools in Canada that conduct evening classes. This is advantageous for those people who are working during the day or running a business. There are online computer classes as well for people who find it difficult to enroll in a computer school because of exorbitant fees or commuting difficulties.

A computer professional holds an important position in the technological world. Training at an accredited computer school enables people to take up several of the challenging tasks that the computer industry has to offer.

Employers are known to have a preference for hiring people from an accredited school. It is advisable for people to make sure that the course offered online or regular mode of study is recognized.

Computer schools in Canada have regular discussions and workshops that are organized to let students voice any doubts related to their field. Some schools in Canada also have industry experts on board that work to establish the reputation of the school. Such interactions may also open doors to job opportunities.

Computer Schools provides detailed information on Computer Schools, Computer Graphic Schools, Computer Training Schools, Computer Science Schools and more. Computer Schools is affiliated with Microsoft Certifications.

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Monday, January 7, 2008

How to Choose a Computer Training School

Since the birth of the internet, the computer industry has been filled with potential jobs. It not only has become one of the leading industries in the world, but it has provided many students with the opportunity to do what they love best.

Although computer jobs are popular, they are anything but easy. In order to get a great job in the computer field, one must have a lot of experience, CBT, and education. Luckily, there are dozens of different ways to get a degree. However, with so many different routes to take, it can be difficult to choose a computer training school. As long as you have the tools to pick your career path, it should be smooth sailing.

The first thing you need to ask yourself is what kind of computer field you want to go into. With hundreds of different careers in the industry, it is crucial to narrow it down to a few options. There are programs that include web design to basic programming. Nonetheless, you need these tools to make your mark in the world. However, it may be smart to find out what careers are ?hot? in the market. Some positions are quite hard to find, while others make millions of dollars a year. If you want to make money, it is important to find the jobs that will get you there.

After you decide what type of career you would like in the computer industry, it is smart to research the training schools around your area. You can do so by searching the term on Google or going to specific sites. Many people prefer http://www.computer-schools.us/, where they can type in their area and see the opportunities available. Surprisingly, many students are actual professionals already in another industry, who are looking to expand their skills. Training centers can be found either online or offline, depending on the amount of time you want to spend training. If you want to get your computer training done quickly, it is recommended that you devote most of your time training and perhaps finding an internship in the process.

For those who want prominent training but don?t know where to look, then New Horizons learning center may be the place to go. New Horizons is one of the largest IT training companies in the world. With great flexibility and convenience, students are able to get their certification quickly on their own time. It is great because New Horizons offers three types of programs. While there are in person training sessions with a traditional teacher, there are also online courses. This web training is the newest trend, as e-learning has become one of the biggest education markets in the past decade.

If you are unsure about this specific program, there are many other great CBT programs such as Global Knowledge. Global knowledge offers hundreds of programs for professionals and newcomers alike. This company has trained fortune 500 companies, as well as businesses worldwide.

Overall, there are hundreds of different options when choosing the right computer training program. With the internet now expanding to e-learning, CBT has become fairly easy and convenient. You can easily get certified if you devote just a few hours a week to the program. No matter what you decide to do, it is important that you have the drive and the passion. After researching the program you want to take, and figuring out the type of career you want, it is essential to work hard and study the long hours. With such an extensive career, it is vital that you know all of the information taught to you. This is anything but an ?easy? get through it program, where you can sleep the entire time. If you put in the effort and the hours, you will surely come out on top.

Natalie Aranda writes on training and technology. For those who want prominent training but don?t know where to look, then New Horizons learning center may be the place to go. New Horizons is one of the largest IT training companies in the world. With great flexibility and convenience, students are able to get their certification quickly on their own time. It is great because New Horizons offers three types of programs. With the internet now expanding to e-learning, computer training and CBT has become fairly easy and convenient.

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Friday, January 4, 2008

Computer Games Can Help You in School. No, Really!

Almost everyone says that computer games are bad for you. But some games you can have fun playing can also help you in school, and in life, if you let them.

There are all sorts of games, so let's stick to one type: online, text-based role playing games. If you haven't ever seen or tried one, they are actually pretty simple. These games are constructed verbally, as text intended to be read, rather than visually. You and a number of other people log onto the game and then simply type in descriptions of your actions...what you say, what you do. Most of the games have a virtual "presence," which means that your actions happen in rooms that have a physical description you can read and react to. The game software allows you to interact not only with the game server itself, but with any number of other players in any number of ways. They usually don't require any fancy skills, and are often completely free to users.

It's handy to talk about online text-based role playing games because their attributes lend themselves to helping players with their lives. Role playing is used by teachers and corporate trainers because it is a good way to learn. Text-based games allow your imagination to play freely. And playing online with a group of real people creates an infinite number of play possibilities.

So, apart from obvious things like keyboarding skills, how can you improve your school skills by playing a game? Let's see...

It's a dirty little secret that when schools ask businesses what they think students need, the business people say "Good group skills." No wonder: whether you call them committees or task forces or units or teams, the work of the world is done by groups.

Schools answer this by building group work into your classes. For instance, group projects and presentations are built into courses in business or communication. Sometimes there are entire classes called "Leadership" or "Group Dynamics." All of these are graded on how well the group works, and the better your group skills, the better the group does and the better you do.

What are good group skills you can learn from playing games?

* The ability to both lead and follow.
* The ability to contribute to planning, to analyze a problem and create a solution collaboratively.
* The ability to persuade others and to accept complex reasoning.
* The ability to take no for an answer!

Think that can't be so? Watch this: Imagine you are Captain Berin, a fierce warrior and a Guardian of the City. A gang of cutthroats, kidnappers and murderers is plaguing the City. The Guardians meet to figure out how to finish off that gang of thugs once and for all!

At the meeting you offer to infiltrate the gang, but the answer is no - you are too well known a warrior. Instead, the Guardians arrive together at a plan: The older, less able Guardians will interview the victims, examining their stories for clues. The more agile members will take the clues and track the gang to their lair. And once they are cornered, the fiercest Guardians, led by Captain Berin, will attack!

The plan works perfectly, and one day, just before dawn, you lead your men in on the attack! The bandits resist, two are killed, three are captured and their hostages are released. You parade the captured gang members through the City to the cheers of the crowds, bringing them to the Hall of Justice to meet their inevitable fates.

This is not entirely a fictitious example. It's based on a situation that happened in an online, text-based role playing game called Firan (www.legendary.org/firan) not too long ago. Firan is one of the largest of the online role playing games. Each week around 200 people from all over the world log in to play. This plot, which stretched over about three weeks, involved over thirty different players, as Guardians, victims, criminals and finally lawyers and judges.

And those things Captain Berin did? The leading, the following, the debating, the planning? You did them! You were playing his role, but you chose his actions and you wrote his words.

You can learn good group skills from playing games if you find a game that rewards you for playing with people. When you are looking for a game, ask about how people advance in the game: If one of the ways is to be nominated or voted on by other players, that's what you want.

Apart from Firan, which is a bit unusual because it is based in a completely original world with a historical feel to it, there are plenty of other worlds out there for you to play in, based on Harry Potter, Star Trek, the Lord of the Rings, Dragonball...any place that has fans has games built around it. Discworld, Pern, even Pokemon, all sorts of worlds await you. Go to a site where they are listed, such as Mud Connector (www.mudconnector.com), pick one out and give it a try! There no telling what you might learn. Prof. Dave D'Alessio studies commercial uses of new communication media and the phenomenon of media bias, and has been using games and simulations as teaching aids sine the 1980's.

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Tuesday, December 25, 2007

More Questions To Ask A Computer Training School Before Paying

The decision to attend a computer training school is one of the most important you'll ever make, and even more important is which one to attend. Asking the right questions can give you an idea of whether a given IT school is a good investment. An earlier article I wrote on this subject was so popular that I thought I'd offer some more advice on the questions to ask before you write that check or take out that loan.

If the school offers a placement service, ask to talk to the people working in that department and ask them how they go about placing graduates. Most schools offer a list of companies that they've placed students with. Get this list and start calling some of these companies. Ask to speak to their HR department, and ask them for their opinion of the school. Even if they don't say a lot, their tone of voice can speak volumes.

Ask to meet some of their teachers, and don't be afraid to ask them how long they've taught at that particular school. If the average teacher has been there a while, that's a good sign. If there seems to be quite a bit of turnover at the school, that's not as good a sign.

Another key area is the availability of the computer labs during class and after the class is over. Speaking from experience, I can tell you that getting hands-on experience with the various software and hardware you'll be working with in the field is the #1 way to get ahead - just reading books won't do it. If you're taking a router class, does the school have real routers for you to work on? If you're taking a PC repair class, are there plenty of PCs for everyone in your class to work on, or do you have to share?

You want classes that offer hands-on experience during class, and you should be able to get into the computer labs after class. You may not be able to use the labs at night if the school offers night classes, but again I speak from experience - the time you spend in the computer labs after class is just as valuable as the time you spend in class. Make sure the labs will be available after class - and then get in there and work!
Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage (http://www.thebryantadvantage.com), home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials! For my FREE "How To Pass The CCNA" or "CCNP" ebook, visit the website and download your copies. Pass your CCNA exam with The Bryant Advantage!

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