New Releases - REALskills
REALskills! from National Computer Systems, Inc. (NCS) now offers the popular A+ information technology (IT) instructional program for high school student IT certification. The new product line provides a full curriculum to schools to prepare and train students for certification. The addition of A+ will allow students to gain certification recognized via CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association) on basic hardware, software, operating systems and networks. A recent agreement between NCS and CompTIA will make it possible for students to complete certification exams at their schools rather than at a testing center.
The REALskills! program also includes placement of certified students in internships to gain on-the-job work experience as IT professionals. Persons with A+ certification credentials are marketable as computer repair and service technicians. The A+ track of the REALskills! program will include SmartForce self-paced courseware, a teaching guide, student learning guides that include a variety of activities and applied learning labs, introductory videos that familiarize students with PC concepts and vocabulary at the start of each unit, and online mentoring for teachers. The course takes approximately one semester. NCS, Minneapolis, MN, (888) 837-8449, www.realskills.com
This article originally appeared in the 04/01/2000 issue of THE Journal.