Originally Learn Key just wanted to make a few additions to the platform; yet, it quickly turned into a total remodelling of design and user experience. Involving their techs, knowledge of the industry and client feedback, Learn Key started on the process that was to give life to their new and improved learning platform. It took a total of two years working on this project to create the v6, the much improved platform that covers all of your learning needs.

The Director of Corporate Operations declared that with the strong help of customers, they were able to create a more ‘robust’ and ‘intuitive’ platform, enabling customer’s to have a better user experience.

Version 6 even though redesigned keeps true to the original platform, keeping everything that makes it an excellent learning platform in the first place. The Learn Key platform includes labs, course assessments (before and after), multimedia courses, results and real-time usage.

The changes made only compliment the learning process, enabling you to totally shift your attention to learning. The alterations include a simplified navigation process, changes to the GUI, a much improved dashboard and expandable view. These changes will only seek to make the user’s educational experience far easier.

Learn Key’s new platform for online learning is available from February 2011. You can choose to download the new platform or keep to the classic look if you are already a customer. Alternatively, you can purchase a single or multiple user CD course for Certification, skills improvement or career progression.

If you are interested in computer based training to gain skills or to achieve certification, have a look at the training from learn key at www.cvision.co.uk. Learn Key has a wide variety of computer based training for IT certification, improving skills in the work place and business skills.

With a gigantic 64% of CIOs recognising that understaffing was slowing down the process of technological improvement in the work place and 51% (The Robert Half Salary Guide) finding their biggest challenge was to find skilled staff, it appears that the average modern business require very able, capable and certified staff.

Before, we view the top possible certifications; we need an overview of the areas that are to expand in the next year. 2011 will see a higher demand for IT professionals in business services, health care and the oil and gas industries. In America and Canada, these industries are set to expand, and so is the private sector, whilst especially in the UK, the health care sector is to go under a metamorphosis to run more efficiently. All of this expansion and change needs then some adequate hands with IT certifications under their belts.

According to the RH salary guide areas that are to expand in IT include: technical developers, technical analysists, consultancy, database administrators, business analysist, IT auditor, data architect, web designers, web developers, network and security based jobs. As you can see, most of the posts becoming available are furthering the technological development of a business, as well as maintaining systems for the future.

So bearing in mind this metamorphosis of IT for 2011, we are to see a number of big house certifications in demand, including the popular MCSE (Microsoft certified systems engineer), MCITP (Microsoft certified IT professional), MCTS (Microsoft certified technology specialist), MCAD (Microsoft certified applications developer) from Microsoft. These certifications from Microsoft charter a great number of in demand skills, from the implementation of new technologies to the maintenance.

With an increase of security risks, it has also become vital for companies to employ security savvy individuals, who have qualifications, such as the CISSP (certified information systems security professional) or a security administrator with the CCSA (check point certified security administrator) and the Check point certified security expert (CCSE). Cisco (CCNA), Linux (RHCE) and project management professional certifications (PMP) have also been rankled highly as essential certifications for 2011.

If you are interested in computer based training to gain skills or to achieve certification, have a look at the training from Learn Key at www.cvision.co.uk. Learn Key has a wide variety of computer based training for IT certification, improving skills in the work place and business skills.

You may think of group work as being something you did in primary in secondary school, often with people you didn’t get on with. But these days a professional career often requires you to work in groups on a project. The reasoning companies use this method is because it can help to expand your skills and knowledge, as well as enables you to complete the project with increased efficiently and the results often incur a more dynamic project. Too many cooks don’t always spoil the broth, you know.

Group work based projects will mean you have to work with others. Whether your best friends in the office or have not spoken before, you have to be able to effectively communicate and discuss issues. Improving communication skills will not only help the group dynamics work but will demonstrate to your boss, you’re a good team player and maybe deserve that promotion.

But with any groups there are bound to be problems? So how do you overcome your personal differences in order to work together, whether it’s on a project or studying together as a group for a certification?

First of all try t to build a group relationship where everyone is on a level footing. This could be by identifying each other’s knowledge and strengths and using them to your advantage as a group. As always, there may be a dominant personality, however, if you take a person-centre approach where everyone has something to contribute (Carl Jungs theories), the power balance should be more equal.

It’s important to get to know who you are working with. All make sure your introduce yourselves and ask each other questions, it will make the atmosphere more relaxed and social. Group work in a work atmosphere can often make people ill at ease, thus a friendlier atmosphere may encourage people to feel comfortable, which often helps ideas come out as well as improves the learning process. But you still need to take the whole process seriously, so no larking about or you may get into trouble with your manager!

When having a group discussion, make sure everyone has their say. There is always someone who won’t stop chattering and a quiet one, which can often make it hard for everyone to be heard. Encourage everyone to speak freely or invent other ways to work if someone feels too nervous speaking out loud.

Working in a group is never easy to begin with, but can achieve quite a lot once you all can cooperate and work together. Whether you’re working in a group for a project or training for a certification together, it’s vital you communicate effectively, in order to achieve your results.

If you are interested in computer based training to gain skills or achieve certification, have a look at the training from learn key at www.cvision.co.uk

In October of this year, Learn Key released a press release announcing their winning of two awards from the ComputED Gazette at the Eddie Awards (the 15th Annual Education Software Review Awards). They won in the post secondary category, awards for Online Integrated Design course for Photoshop CS4 and their online spreadsheet course for Excel 2010.

Learn Key’s ware acts as a supplement to the curriculum and is intended for efficient training for professional exams. They won the awards on the merits of their:

-academic content,

-versatility for classroom usage,

-how they approached the subject;

-And technical value etc…

Learn Key have thus created software that is easy to use, usable for all and holds all the academic knowledge you may need to pass a professional exam. Plus, Learn Key incorporates into its training programs ‘tips and tricks’, which enable learners to go beyond the academic knowledge, learning how to use the program fully in a professional setting.

Learn Key uses the latest innovative technology, combined with the company’s knowledge of education and learning objectives to create computer based training that works for you. It has a great number of training products on the market, not only for certifications but personal growth in your career, which include:

- Leadership & Management,

- Office Productivity,

- Networking,

- Safety & Rights in the Work Place,

- Personal Productivity & Customer Services,

- Vocational Training,

- Secondary School & College Training (K12),

- The Fundamental aspects of Computers,

- Databases,

- Computer Security; and

- Web and Graphics Design.

As you can see Learn Key has a dynamic variety of training courses available for professionals in a variety of settings and sectors. It also has a number of training courses available for young blossoming professionals, in secondary school and college (K12). Learn Key have courses online or DVD, depending on what you want. They also have study guided and preparatory books to aid your study at home.

If you think computer based learning is for you, have a look at the training learn key has to offer at www.cvision.co.uk

Certification and training companies have found recent success in the U.S with training for school students, applying for college or jobs. With the recent rise in college and University fees and competition, school students are beginning to take a more active role in their career development even before University! A certification grants them with a good knowledge base, as well as the proof that they are knowledgeable and able (for work or higher education).

Training school students in technologies, such as Microsoft will certainly give them that edge over their non-certified comrades, increasing the likelihood of a place at college/University. A certification will further demonstrate a student’s capabilities, showing how likely they are to do well at University/college. It will also prepare students for the hard work at University or in the world of work by giving them a number of transferable skills which can be utilised in either arena.

It is not only the young attending college/University that decide to train at home as many young professionals who have had to go immediately into the working world, as well as older professionals, have chosen distance learning to strengthen their career path. Working full time and handling certification is by no means easy, but a home based training program is for most far more manageable than classroom based training. For starters, you can spread your hours spent studying as you need to and learn at your own pace – which is believed to be key to learning most effectively. Training at home does enable you to have a more balanced life that isn’t just about the career; yet, for it to work you do need to be organised and on top of your work load.

Computer based training can offer a variety of people a convenient and person centred way to train, enabling them to keep a more balanced life whilst working towards their career.

If you think computer based learning is for you, have a look at the training learn key has to offer at www.cvision.co.uk

When troubleshooting using the OSI model, you can start from the very beginning, layer 1 and move upwards; start at the top, going from layer 7 down to 1, or start troubleshooting from the layer that you believe is the problem and then move in your chosen direction. Either way you choose to work will get you where you want, but most technicians opt starting from layer 1 just because it’s easier to start with the basics first.

Start off on Layer 1, the ‘physical layer’, the layer that is focused on the media, signal and transmission. It is whatever goes through or operates in the network at an electrical or mechanical level. This would mean you would be troubleshooting cables, physical hardware and other devices. Troubleshooting this layer will allow you to find if it is a basic physical problem – for most I.T technicians a good place to start.

Jump to Layer 2, if you have found no direct physical problem as Layer 2 is the data link layer. Layer 2 essentially provides the way or means to transfer data between items in the network and handles/manages errors that occur in the first layer. Layer 2 is made up of 2 smaller  sub-layers, the Media access Control (MAC) that grants the means of access to the data from a computer on the network and the Logic Link Control (LLC) which controls errors in the physical layer, flow control and frame synchronization (the process by which incoming signals or sequences are identified). It allows at one time for several protocols to exist together in the network, as well as to be transported to its destination.

This layer can be troubleshooted in Windows using the ARP command. The Address Resolution Protocol or ARP, is an IP protocol used for mapping the internet protocol address into a physical address, or in technical terms a MAC address. Once specified and recognised the network device responds with the address. From this you will determine the unique hardware address and identify any issues occurring between software and hardware, or other problems occurring at the 2^nd layer.

If you want to find out more on how to troubleshoot a network using the OSI model, look out for part 2 of How to Troubleshoot A Network Using the OSI Model. Furthermore, if you are interested in learning more about troubleshooting, have a look at computer based training for I.T technician certifications, such as the CompTIA A+ certification and CompTIA Network+. Visit www.cvision.co.uk for more information.

So What is VoIP?

You may have heard of it, but like many you don’t quite know what it is. VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol is a communication protocol ( a protocol is a description of the format and rules for the exchange of those message formats) that transports voice communications and video communications over the IP (internet Protocol) network. The internet is a fine example of an IP network where these communications are exchanged.

So Why Use it?

Although VoIP is a quite recent technology, it has found success among medium to large corporations due to its cost and in its ability  to enhance the communications experience.

Cost

A single point of voice and data communications, not only puts costs down, but allows for a single place for all communications, making the corporate communication system much more efficient and compact. When a business implements VoIP technology, they can then cut off unnecessary communication costs, such as a business telephone line. It replaces many added costs with one simple one, which enables you to run your company’s infrastructure with much more ease.

Enhancing Communications

VoIP appears to be the solution to enhancing communication, without spending too much. Unlike other communicative media, VoIP is highly flexible and can be adjusted to each business’s needs.  VoIP is adapted for multiple users, thus it can transmit more than one call over the single fast broadband connection – ideal for a company that requires a multiple communications device. There’s no worry about security either, as it is almost completely in place in VoIP systems – all you have to do (this is where your trained technician comes into play) is encrypt and authenticate the data stream.

With a high band efficiency, it is also a quick way to connect with business colleagues all over the world. Moreover, with mobile phone technology transforming closer to that of computers, it has become possible to hold conferences on your phone (through VoIP) as well as your laptop.

What Training is Available?

So to do all of this, you will need some qualified staff to implement, maintain and manage the system.  A good candidate for the training will have networking and communications experience and knowledge, since VoIP is a combination of the two disciplines.

Since VoIP is still relatively new to the market, there is a limited training options. Cisco, one of the leading certifiers for networks, offers a few good certifications on networking, communications and networking with communications (i.e. VoIP) which are useful for training staff in VoIP, networks and other communication technologies. Computer based training for the Cisco certification can be found easily online as a cheaper option for staff training. Although classes are available, remember they are expensive as well as time consuming and can only be completed at certain times of the year.

If you are interested in Cisco training, network training, mcitp training or any other type, visit www.cvision.co.uk

Passing the MCITP or any Microsoft certification is about working extremely hard on your revision. Reading a book upon the subject alone works for some people, but not everyone. However, reading upon the subject can be part of your revision plan, rather than the only method.

Tip 1: You will need to devise a revision plan that suits you. Reading, writing, making diagrams, using computer based training and even recording yourself can be handy at learning the stuff. Always try to start by learning the basic concepts and then expanding upon them – this is useful for making links in your mind – enabling you to recall the information much easier.

Tip 2: Make sure you understand the information, rather than just remember it. This will help you answer tricky questions on the exam paper which may have been completely rephrased. Don’t just learn the facts either, try to understand the concepts behind them. It will give you a much wider understanding of why it happens, rather than just ‘the what’.

Tip 3: To further your study into the ‘what’s’ and ‘whys’ behind the concepts, go through them on your computer. Actually physically do the tasks, so that you not only understand it theoretically but in practice too.

Tip 4: Get firmly acquainted with the jargon and acronyms. No person taking a Microsoft exam can expect to pass without knowing the jargon or the acronyms. Failing to learn this is likely to lead to you failing the exam.

Tip 5: Test yourself over and over again using a revision guide, online tests or computer based training. Each time look at exactly what you got wrong and why. You can then move on to correcting your mistakes and improve your score each time.

Tip 6: In the actual exam read the questions twice through thoroughly. This is vital, as otherwise you could overlook a tiny detail which could have large effect on the outcome/answer.

Tip 7: Use what you know to determine the wrong answers in each question. Finding the wrong answer first can help you decipher which is the right one.

Tip 8: Look at the whole scenario in each question, as one small but seemingly insignificant detail could affect the answer.  Moreover, try to always have a clear picture in your mind of what works in the given scenario and what does not; it may help you find the answer.

Tip 9: Although a technical and knowledge based exam, Microsoft certifications do often look for the best solution practically, rather than technically. Always keep this in mind, as it may help not only your revision but may help you pass the exam.

Tip 10: Look at the language they use in the questions. Some questions often trick those being examined by using vaguer language. For instance, many I.T experts have found the ‘what meets the required’ question the most misread question by those taking Microsoft exams.

If you are interested in mcitp training or any other Microsoft training, have a look at www.cvision.co.uk

For starters, module 6 of the A+ certification explores what exactly a network is. A network is a collection of computers or devices that are connected together in order to cross communicate with one another. It allows various users to exchange information between one another from one computer to another. They are various network types, including WANS (wide area network), LANS (local area network), HANS (home area network), PANS (personal area network) and the intranet (a set of networks using internet protocol) etc. There are various methods to connect as well, including wired and wireless methods, which can connect up as little as two devices up to hundreds.

You will also need to know the hardware required for a network. Some basic structural components do remain the same on any network, whilst other hardware components vary from network type to network type.  Here’s a few of the hardware components, you will need to get acquainted with as an I.T technician.

Network Interface Cards: Or NICs as they are also known.  NICS, network adapters or network cards are a type of hardware that allows computers to communicate over a computer network.  Without this connection medium, you would not be able to access the computer network through your computer.

Hubs: You’ve probably come across one of these at some point. The hub (Ethernet hub, active hub, network hub etc) is simply a device that connects multiple Twisted Pair (the copper wire for Ethernet) or fiber optic Ethernet devices together.  Once data is received to one port, it is passed on to the other ports without regulation.

Repeaters: Let’s say there’s an obstruction in your networks way – well a Repeater is the device used to solve this problem.  by receiving and strengthening a signal (analogue and digital) and then retransmitting it, the signal can reach further, as well as overcome any obstacles in its path.

Network Bridges: Similar to Repeaters and Hubs, but ever so slightly different as a Network Bridge not only connects at the physical level of the OSI model (Open Systems Interconnection model), but the second layer too. This first level, without the overlay of computer jargon, specifies the relationship between the transmission medium (i.e. copper wires, fiber optics) and device, whilst layer two is the data link layer which allows transference of data between network entities and corrects any mishaps in the first layer.

A Network Bridge is far more complex than a hub, as it makes connections between the port and network address, allowing traffic to reach that port only. A hub instead relays all the data to all the ports, often causing collisions and slowing down traffic. A Network Bridge, unlike the Hub which does not recognise the data source, where it is going and what the data means, instead manages the data before it decides to send it to another network segment.

If you are interested in training for module 6 for the a+ certification or CompTIA Network+, have a look at www.cvision.co.uk for computer based training software.

The CompTIA Networking plus extends beyond the generalist area of the a plus certification by focusing on how a technician would manage, maintain, troubleshoot, install and configure a basic network infrastructure. It will validate your knowledge and demonstrate your practical understanding of the concepts, which should be backed up by around 9 months experience in appropriate fields or further academic training, plus the A+ certification. To apply, you will then need to have already taken the a plus certification and have experience in the I.T field, or have taken a degree or equivalent in a relevant course.

The Networking+ is a 90 minute exam, where to pass you must score 720 on a scale 100-900. The exam is made up of a hundred questions. Although there is only one exam, unlike the A plus certification, the score to pass the exam is slightly higher.

The CompTIA Networking + certification is well sought after as it demonstrates to employers not only your willingness to learn, but your commitment to improving your knowledge and skills. This is a top attribute which employer’s love, especially in the I.T field where certifications and technology change every few years.

Every time CompTIA release a new exam, they offer a bridge exam, which bridges the knowledge between the older and the newer certification – in this case the Networking+2005 and 2009. However, once you’re certified, you are certified for life under CompTiA certifications, such as the A + and Networking+. Most people only recertify in order to keep their skills, C.V and knowledge up to date. It is not necessary to recertify, it is however a good way to improve your career prospects.

The Networking+ will give you that much needed boost in your career, enabling you to go for the more specialist post. It will also teach you the specialist knowledge needed for specialist I.T jobs.

If you are interested in taking any of the CompTIA certifications such as the a plus certification, Networking+ and Security+ and need the training equipment to study for the exam, turn to www.cvision.co.uk who offer computer based training for hundreds of certifications.