I've been toying around with the idea of making some changes to the score reports because the results from our Exam Satisfaction Survey (yes, I look at this data very carefully and use your feedback to make decisions about how to improve the quality of content and exam experience, so you really should be completing it when you get the email from comScore asking you to do so!) consistently show low levels of satisfaction with the usefulness of the score reports. Honestly, this is a common result for most certification programs. After all, what is likely to be the most helpful--seeing the specific items that you missed--is something that few, if any, certification programs will ever provide. But, I do have some ideas on how I might be able to make some improvements...
Before I spend too much time and resources on my ideas, I'd like to hear from you. Your input will help me shape my ideas and transform them into something better.
So, here's your opportunity to tell what you'd like to see included in our score reports. It can be anything from learning resources to specific ideas around what we should be telling you about your exam performance to understanding what your score means to something that I can't even begin to imagine (I hope you have ideas like that!). What would increase the usefulness of the score reports? What would you like to see on them? Have you ever received a score report that you loved or thought was particularly helpful (if you want to send me a copy, I'd love to see it (mslcd@microsoft.com)? What did it contain? Why did you love it? Why was it useful?
Caveat #1: No promises. I'm thinking big changes in the type of information that is provided, but it is very likely that some of what I'd (or you'd) like may not be possible systematically. Whatever we do has to be scalable and something that can be generated automatically based on your exam performance. Nothing is certain.
Caveat #2: Any changes we make to the score reports (again, I'm thinking big) will take some time to roll out if we can even implement them. Don't expect changes overnight.
Caveat #3: I will never be able to tell you the specific questions that you missed and why (exam security and the integrity of the program make this impossible). Think big, but keep this in mind.
I had a fun chat this morning with a few hundred Microsoft Learning Partners to see how much interest there was in offering a Free Virtualization exam to all their current and former ITPro students...not only were they interested, but almost 90 Learning Partners jumped in already today on behalf of their customers. You won't see a public announcement about this special opportunity to take exam 70-659 MCTS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization until after Oct 1st so keep a look out on Microsoft Virtualization Training & Certification for more details. Forgive me for taking a little more space, but I thought I would give you the early locations in case you're interested. If you've ever been a student at any of the following organizations, contact them next week and ask about how you can take the Virtualization Challenge for free:
FAST University would like to thank all of you who attended our September 21st free technical webcast on FAST Search Server 2010 for SharePoint Service Pack 1 Improvements.
This webcast explored major improvements and fixes included in the Service Pack 1 including:
The webcast also described how to obtain the Service Pack, as well as the migration steps for custom extractors.
For your convenience, the recording of the webcast is now available online at the following locations:
For customers and partners: Click Here
For employees: Click Here
For more details on Enterprise Search training, please email us at fastuniv@microsoft.com.
As you may or may not be aware, FAST University offers a live virtual option for all of our traditional instructor-led courses. If live virtual is the correct option for you, there are some things you will need to do in order to prepare to attend a live virtual class. First, we will discuss the System Requirements. They are as follows:
Next, we will discuss the classroom delivery tools. They are as follows:
It is strongly recommended that you test your service connectivity and VoIP in advance and before the start of class. Please contact a FAST University Education Consultant at fastuniv@microsoft.com a few days prior to the start of your virtual class to arrange to test your connectivity and VoIP.
In addition to the above, it is also strongly recommended that you find a quiet place in which to attend class, where you will have limited interruptions. Also, to avoid any performance degradation and to limit other distractions, you should shut down any other software applications.
To learn more and register for live virtual classes available from Microsoft Learning | FAST University, navigate to www.fastuniversity.com or contact an Education Consultant at fastuniv@microsoft.com.
By Mark Stoddard, MCT
Hi - I'm Mark Protus and want to introduce myself to the community. I'm a Lead Customer Marketing Manager at Microsoft Learning and have previously worked with professionals in both the Developer and IT Pro communities. In my new role, I'll be orchestrating customer and readiness materials for courseware, exams, and related tools and campaigns. The first campaigns I'll be leading will revolve around the launch of SQL "Denali" and Windows 8.
Rather than push schedules and readiness information outward, I'd really like to hear from you to create a dialog. In addition to campaign and program details, I'd like to know about the information you need and want. I'm open to ideas we can share to help Microsoft Learning do a great job communicating program information and ultimately, help you to be the best solution provider, trainer, educator, or partner.
As a convesration starter...here are a couple of interesting links:
I'm really excited about my new role and I'm looking forward to working with you!
If you’re a long-timer reader of this blog, you probably know that we often post about great opportunities and benefits available to our Microsoft Certified Trainers. If you’ve ever thought about joining our premier technical/instructional community, there’s a fantastic opportunity coming up next month in San Francisco! Head on over to MCT Christopher Harrison’s blog to learn about the upcoming MCT Summit and Train-the-Trainer event—hope we can welcome you to the MCT community in person next month!
Synonyms are a list of words attached to a keyword. Keywords are words or phrases that you have identified as typical terms within your organization.
Keywords provide definitions for common terms that are used within your organization. Each keyword entry can also be associated with synonyms. If a term in a search query is defined with synonyms, the synonymous terms will be added to the query.
Synonyms are generally defined in order to accomplish a specific business purpose, such as:
Keywords can only be used within the site collection where they are defined. Keywords are used manually to improve the search result.
When users search for the keyword, results from all synonyms will also be displayed in the search result. When users search for a two-way synonym, results from the synonym will be displayed in addition to the results from the keyword and all other synonyms. When users search for a one way synonym, only results from the synonym will be displayed.
Query terms must match the keyword or its synonym exactly. Partial matches against the keyword or synonym will not yield results. Keywords can only be used within the site collection where they are defined.
There are two Keywords options under the Site Collection Administration in the Site Settings page:
To access the Site Settings page, navigate to your site, click Site Actions, and then click Site Settings.
When you add a keyword phrase, you can define one-way or two-way synonyms, and a keyword definition. Separate multiple synonyms with a semi-colon. Keyword definitions will take effect immediately.
To add a keyword:
If you try to define a phrase as a keyword when it is already a synonym for another keyword, you will see an error message. An Edit Keyword hyperlink to the related keyword definition is provided. You can click this link to jump to the related keyword definition and remove the synonym if appropriate.
Learn more about these and other Enterprise Search topics in one of our Microsoft Learning | FAST University classes. To register online visit www.fastuniversity.com or contact an Education Consultant for assistance at fastuniv@microsoft.com.
By David Codrington
We're looking for volunteers to help us with the development of a new Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)* exam covering HTML5/CSS fundamentals. If you've taught introductory HTML5 or CSS courses in a high school, community college, or other learning environment, we want you! Candidates for this exam are seeking to prove core HTML web development skills.
MTA is the first Microsoft certification targeted specifically at students who are new to IT. The exams validate the foundational knowledge needed to begin building a career using Microsoft technologies. We recommend that candidates have some hands-on technology experience prior to taking these exams. MTA provides an ideal stepping stone to our MCTS certifications and to a career in IT.
Please email me at sanres@microsoft.com by end of day September 27th PST if you'd like to participate in developing this exam. Please provide a brief summary of your relevant experience.
And if you know someone who you think would be interested in volunteering for this, please send them a link to this post. We want to hear from as many people as possible.
*If this is the first you've heard about MTA, you can find out more about it here on Born to Learn.
Microsoft technologies are evolving more quickly than ever. In order to maintain the value of your certifications, we need to ensure that Microsoft certifications keep pace with changing technologies and remain a meaningful indicator of a candidate’s continued competence.
In late July, we invited you to participate in a survey to gather customer and hiring manager feedback about implementing a recertification requirement for advanced level Microsoft certifications. I was very pleased that over 900 of you participated. Respondents included individuals who have work experience on every Microsoft technology area, and individuals holding every type of certification we have ever offered. We also heard from Microsoft Certified Trainers, hiring managers, and even some people who don’t hold any Microsoft certifications at all.
The blog post where we originally invited folks to participate had a fair amount of comment activity—much of it from people opposed to the idea of requiring candidates to demonstrate continued competence. However, the survey results tell quite a different story. I’d like to share some of the high-level results with you:
Quite frankly, some of the results surprised us. We’re now in the process of carefully considering how to incorporate your feedback into the program.
Thanks very much for taking the time to share your opinions with us.
Microsoft Learning is hosting a brand new class in the popular “Jump Start” series. Because we received such rave reviews from the “Microsoft Virtualization for VMware Professionals” Jump Start delivered earlier this year, our latest course is sure to be another smash. Here are the details:
REGISTER NOW
Why get certified in Microsoft Virtualization? In just three short years, Hyper-V marketshare has grown over 16% (IDC WW Quarterly Server Virtualization Tracker, March 2011). This shift to Microsoft Virtualization has been clear the past six months as IT Professionals are flocking to the Hyper-V certification and Microsoft Private Cloud solutions. It’s easy to see that organizations who invest in IT Professionals with proven skills in current virtualization and Private Cloud skills will be a step ahead in this ever-changing cloud world.
Why is this Jump Start a good time investment? This accelerated Jump Start is tailored for experienced IT professionals who are familiar with Microsoft server technologies, Hyper-V, Virtual Machine Manager and Remote Desktop Role Services. Taught by highly-respected technologists, Symon Perriman and Philip Helsel, this course will be a fast-paced and demo-rich experience covering the skills domain required to ensure students have the expertise and confidence to become a MCTS: Windows Server 2008, R2, Server Virtualization. You’ll also receive the opportunity to register for a weekly Virtualization coaching newsletter and exam voucher activation instructions during the training.