All posts by newsspc

Online vs. classroom learning – which is better?

online learning,

By KIMBERLY ROSS

Whether you are a kinesthetic (learn by touch), auditory or visual learner, the environment in which you learn plays a large part in your success.

As with every choice in life, there are pros and cons. Some students like learning face-to-face, while others prefer the hands-on approach. For convenience, some prefer to learn from the comforts of their own home, so online classes are best suited for them.  Whatever the choice, it is important to examine all avenues carefully before making a decision.

With busy schedules and multiple demands being placed on students and teachers daily, online classes are becoming a highly favored avenue of learning. For example, while students are away from campus, they can retrieve and submit assignments with ease.  Instructors benefit also because the time taken to generate and review assignments can be shorter than if they were in the classroom.

However, though this method of learning is more convenient and saves time, problems can arise. For example, random computer glitches can affect response time between students and teachers, thus preventing them from retrieving and submitting documents by a particular deadline. 

Then there is classroom learning. Many who are intimidated by technology, or who are visual and kinesthetic learners, prefer this method, since students can interact directly with other students and teachers. It lends itself to a more personable atmosphere, since face-to-face interaction takes place. As a result, social skills are developed and there is room for effective dialog since students are face-to-face with other students and teachers.

Regardless of the method chosen, make sure it’s the right one for you.

Linux System Administrator Certificate from St. Petersburg College — An avenue to the world of technology

Certifications

By KIMBERLY ROSS

The LINUX System Administrator Certificate Program at St. Petersburg College (SPC) has increased its course availability to seven sections beginning Jan. 10 for spring semester.

Professor Therezita Ortiz, who piloted the original courses in 2002, said there has been much growth and demand within the LINUX program in recent years.  A LINUX Foundation Survey  found that LINUX “is poised for growth in the coming years; 76.4% of companies are planning to add more LINUX servers in the next twelve months.”

This growth also reflects the growth experienced in the use of UNIX/LINUX systems in the workplace.

 (SPRING 2010-2011 based on Projected Enrollment)

 

According to Professor Ortiz, the LINUX Program “is designed for individuals who are planning to use LINUX and/or UNIX as their choice of an operating system either for professional and/or personal use.”

 At SPC, LINUX is taught in an eight-week online format. This modality allows students to be part of a cohort structure. They are introduced to UNIX/LINUX by enrolling in CTS 2106 Fundamentals of the LINUX/UNIX Operating Environment as the introductory course, followed by CTS 2321 LINUX System Administration I and CTS 2322 LINUX System Administration II to expand their knowledge of the operating system’s server features.

In all three courses, students are introduced to the concept of virtualization through the use of VirtualBox (an open source virtualization program). This allows the students to install UBUNTU (the LINUX distribution currently used in these courses) on their PC from within Windows, thus eliminating the need for a second dedicated PC to use with UBUNTU.

This setup affords students the opportunity to complete their assigned coursework using the same computer they use for other courses where Windows applications are required.

Ortiz said the majority of students enrolled in LINUX System Administration I and LINUX System Administration II courses have expressed interest in the courses for “self-improvement and/or enhancing their current work related skills.”

Having this cohort structure “creates continuity with the instructor and students, thus enhancing the learning environment,” Ortiz said. Also, students benefit from these courses when enrolled in other computer related courses. As a student shared with Ortiz, “I was pleasantly surprised to find that much of what I learned in this course about operating systems in general, and how they work, was very helpful to me with my upper level computer science courses.”

The best way to succeed in the course is to read carefully, Ortiz said. Attention to detail is an important skill in this program, in collegiate education and at work. 

“We look forward to seeing you in class,” Ortiz said.

Why become a Microsoft certified IT professional at St. Petersburg College

Microsoft,

By KIMBERLY ROSS

 Among the certificates offered within St. Petersburg College’s College of Computer & Information Technology (CCIT) is the Microsoft Certified Server Administrator certificate. Taught by Dr. Holly Hoopes of SPC’s EpiCenter campus, the program is designed to help students acquire the necessary skills to thrive in the Microsoft field.

Dr. Holly Hoopes

 At SPC, the MCITPS-CT classes are taught face-to-face and in blended format, classes that are taught part face-to-face and online. Dr. Hoopes feels the blended format is “the best of both worlds” since students and professors can interact with each other and, at other times, work independently on assignments. This way, she said, students “develop a skill-set and at the same time, receive some answers when needed.”

 As with everything, there are challenges. Upon entering the course, Dr. Hoopes advises students to “be patient with themselves. Treat the course as a foreign language.” The first night, students may feel overwhelmed; just let the information flow, be open to the conversation and give it time. All courses within the certificate build on one another, so relax and let the knowledge come; absorb and learn.

Dr. Hoopes further said that in order to succeed in the course, it takes self-motivation and inquisitiveness.

“This type of field leads to demanding jobs that may require work on the weekends and holidays. It can be very intense, and it is always changing and the learning never stops. You must learn to speak the language and immerse yourself in it. Go the extra mile, and perhaps set up a lab at home. Effort must be put forth as it is not enough just to attend class.”

 Though there are no entrance or exit exams for the Microsoft Certified IT Professional Certificate Program, Dr. Hoopes encourages students to take the industry certification exam upon exiting. Students not only earn college credit, but employers are more attracted to candidates who have industry certificates since it makes candidates more marketable. In the future, Dr. Hoopes hopes certification exams will be available at the EpiCenter.

 “I would like to see more women get into this field since it is male dominated,” said Dr. Hoopes about her hopes for the future of the program. She feels that this would be great since many women are great at troubleshooting.  In general, this field is for people who are “project oriented and who possess problem-solving skills. People must like to work and like continuous learning. ”

 So though it may not be an easy road to the finish, Dr. Hoopes advises students to “stay the course” and not give up.

 

CISCO Networking Academy Program and St. Petersburg College

Certifications, College of Computer and Information Technology, Networking

By KIMBERLY ROSS

 The Cisco Networking Academy program is designed to equip students with the skills to become a technology professional in the field of network administration or network engineering. The Computer Networking A.S. Degree Program prepares students to sit for the CCNA Certification exam.

Founded in 1984 by a group of computer scientists from Stanford University, Cisco’s primary mission is for people to connect to one another through technology, thus creating a close-knit atmosphere.

For St. Petersburg College students interested in Cisco certificates, Cisco Professor Michael Gordon is a great source.  Employed by SPC since 2001, Professor Gordon mentioned the reasons why students enroll in this program: Some students who already have four-year degrees, or they want to make a career change. Then there are students who are already in the industry but are seeking a new direction.

Professor Gordon emphasized that “Cisco sets a high standard.” With a predominant number of certificates in Computer Networking, he further stated that this is “a rigorous field of study,” so students must approach it seriously.

In sum, he said the most fulfilling part of his career has been “giving students the opportunity to gain viable skills.”

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Prof. Michael Gordon

 

Michael Gordon, (CCIT) Computer & Information Technology, has been employed with SPC since 2001. He has completed his CCAI (CISCO instructor), CCNA, CCNP, MCSE, MCT, and A+ certifications. Professor Gordon has been working professionally in networking as a Network Engineer, Installer, and level 2 Support Technician working with CISCO hardware since 1998. He is also an experienced webmaster. He received both his BA and MS in education from Queens College, and is currently completing his MLS in Information Networking and Telecommunications.

                                                                               

Are St. Petersburg College’s computer programs the right choice for you?

computer programs,

By KIMBERLY ROSS

With technology advancement on the rise, people are putting aside print media and flocking to electronic gadgets and the Internet as never before.

For students desiring to become more technology savvy or seeking a career change, St. Petersburg College may be the right place to turn. TheComputer Web Programming and Analysis Degree(CWPA-AS) and the Computer Web Programming Specialist Certificate(CWPS-CT)are two areas of study that interested students can turn to in the computer field.

Taught by Professor Brad Yourth of SPC’s Clearwater Campus, the purpose of the program is to “prepare students for entry level jobs at a web site firm, technology firm, or to start their own freelance business. The Computer / Web Programming & Analysis A.S. degree is longer in terms of credit hours and affords students the flexibility to choose from several programming language tracks. On the other hand, the Computer / Web Programming Specialist Certificate program provides basic programming skills and can be completed in one year,” Yourth said.

Professor Yourth, who has been teaching for about 16 years, started his career teaching Common Gateway Interface (CGI) and Practical Extract and Reporting Language (PERL). Once he realized that the web “wasn’t just about static pages,” the programming field became more exciting for him.

     Continue reading Are St. Petersburg College’s computer programs the right choice for you? →

Article published about SPC entrepreneurship

College of Computer and Information Technology, ,
Dr. Sharon Setterlind

Select SPC faculty and staff wrote an article that was published in the Spring/Summer 2010 issue of National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, detailing how the college’s model encompasses all facets of entrepreneurship education and how it supports and serves the community’s economic growth.

The article was collaboratively written by Sharon Setterlind, Dean of Business Technologies; Shri Goyal, Dean of the College of Technology & Management; and James Olliver, Provost of the Seminole Campus. It is on page 12 of the Spring/Summer 2010 issue of Community College Entrepreneurship.

BT internships — an avenue to the future at St. Petersburg College

internships, ,

Internships are a great avenue for students to turn since they are an opportunity to put classroom knowledge to practical use. Students are helped to think outside the box and gain essential problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

The Business Technologies program offers a wide range of internships specifically geared to a student’s career path. One such internship is the Social Networking Engineering Internship sponsored by Patron’s Insurance Inc. The candidate must be a team player, creative thinker and be able to efficiently use social networking sites and other related mediums to promote business.

To qualify for internships such as this one in the Business Technologies program, students must be enrolled in Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS) and Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree programs or any of the certificate programs.

Above all, students must act professionally and comply with all college rules and procedures.

St. Petersburg College students can pursue CISCO certification

Certifications, College of Computer and Information Technology

The CISCO program is designed to equip students with the skills to become technical professionals in a desired technological field. The training program equips students with the knowledge to pass the certificate exam.

Founded in 1984 by a group of computer scientists from Stanford University, CISCO’s primary mission is for people to connect to one another through technology, thus creating a close-knit bond and promoting culture.

There are three levels of certificates: Associate, Professional and Expert. Once a student has taken the exam and passed, he or she is required to sign a Cisco Career Certification and Confidentiality agreement. Once signed, a Career Certifications Certificate will be sent to the student by mail or electronically.

For SPC students interested in CISCO certificates, Cisco instructor Michael Gordon is a great source. He has been employed by SPC since 2001 and has been working as a network engineer, installer and support technician since 1998.

Gordon mentioned that there are three primary reasons students enroll in this program: Some students who already have a four-year degree, switch gears for a career change. Then there are students who are already in the industry seeking a new direction. Others take the exam as part of another degree.

Stressing the importance of taking such an exam, Gordon emphasized that “CISCO sets a high standard.” With a predominant number of certificates in Computer Networking, he further stated that this is “a rigorous field of study,” so students must approach it seriously.

In sum, he said the most fulfilling part of his career has been “giving students the opportunity to gain viable skills.”