2. A+: A Fresh Look at an Old Favorite
               
A+: A Fresh Look at an Old Favorite
A+: A Fresh Look at an Old Favorite

3. AGENDA
Introduction A Brief History of A+ Innovative Changes and Technology Advancements IoT The Growth of IoT – How it impact’s A+ and the Curriculum The Demand for Skilled Workers in IT Best Practice in Developing Curriculum Summary Q&A Speaker’s Bio Thanks

4. Introduction
This workshop will take a look at how innovative changes and advancements in technology has impacted the field and increased the demand for skilled workers. As the growth of the IoT continues, the demand for skilled workers in the industry will evolved. Therefore, the need for an “Old Favorite “to continue evolve to meet the industry’s growing demands will still exist.

5. A Brief History of the A+ Certification
YEAR
EVENT
1993
The first A+ certification exam was developed as a way for new technicians to demonstrate competency when performing a variety of basic computer installation, repair and maintenance tasks.
2003
The certification requirements were updated, and students were required to pass two separate exams: the A+ Core Hardware Exam and the A+ Core Operating System Technologies Exam.

6. A Brief History of A+ (Cont’d)
YEAR
EVENT
2006
the testing requirements were updated yet again. Students were now required to pass an exam called A+ Essentials, as well as an exam covering one elective. Students had the option to choose from IT Depot Technician, IT Technician and IT Remote Support Technician, enabling them to develop specialized skills and knowledge in one of these three areas.
2009
CompTIA updated the certification requirements
2012
CompTIA A , also known as Comp TIA A+ Essentials, covers the basics of computer technology, security and networking as they apply to computer hardware. CompTIA A , also called CompTIA A+ Practical Application, encompasses the practical use of computer software and operating systems.

7. Innovative Changes and Technology Advancements
We are seeing new applications across a wide range of sectors: Automotive: Reducing crashes; enabling driverless vehicles, smart parking, and dynamic pricing for bridges, tunnels, and urban centers Health care and life sciences: Monitoring patients at home, improving drug compliance6 Sports and fitness: Monitoring athletic performance7 Smart buildings: Improving security, comfort, and operating efficiency8 Heavy industry and manufacturing: Predicting equipment failures, minimizing downtime, and managing preventive maintenance schedules9 Municipal infrastructure: Monitoring and managing infrastructure such as storm water management systems
SOURCE

8. Internet of Things
The Internet of things (IoT) is the inter-networking of physical devices, vehicles (also referred to as "connected devices" and "smart devices"), buildings, and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity which enable these objects to collect and exchange data.[1][2][3]
Source:

9. The Demand for Skilled Workers in IT?

10. The Growth of IoT – How it impact’s A+ and the Curriculum
Requires integrating more software skills in the curriculum
Requires integrating more hardware skills in the curriculum
The opportunity to implement cross-discipline training
Integrating interdisciplinary training that allows students to develop skills and knowledge in a range of subjects
literacy in and ability to understand concepts across multiple disciplines

11. A Brief Look at the A+ Domains
SOURCE
CompTIA.org

12. A [Brief] New Look at the Old Favorite
BUILDING
SENSORS
SOFTWARE
HVAC
SMART DEVICES
AUTOMOBILE
OTHER
APPLIANCES

13. BEST PRACTICES TO APPLY

14. Best Practice in Developing Curriculum
“REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OLD FAVORITES”
Create New Courses
Modularize Existing Courses
Add Course content to other disciplines

15. Summary
A commitment to using the best practices AS THE “OLD FAVORITE” CONTINUES TO EVOLVE TO MEET THE NEW DEMANDS OF TECHNOLOGY

16. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

17. PRESENTERS BIO mark.whigham@Calhoun.edu
Mark Whigham, Security+, Project+, Network+, A+, MCP, MCT, is a full-time computer science instructor at Calhoun Community College Huntsville Campus with more than 29 years in the computer industry. He holds a MS (1991) and BS (1983) in computer science from Alabama A&M University and has worked as a director of information technology, software engineer, academic computing coordinator, and programmer analyst and network specialist. His expertise includes programming, certification training, computer security and networking and database management. He has also completed the training in the Oracle Academy for Java Programming, SQL and PL/SQL. Mark also is a VMWare Academy Instructor for the VMware vSphere and VMware vCloud Director classes. He also manages the CompTIA Academy.