A Method of Optimizing Programming Topics to Succeed in IT Certification Exams

Mohammad Rob, Vance Etnyre

Abstract


This paper focuses on the skill sets required for an information technology (IT) graduate to be successful in the fast-changing technological world. It addresses the value of professional IT certifications offered by various technological companies in the job market. Specifically, it focuses on how to optimize various topics that should be covered in a graduate-level programming course such that students are not only technically prepared for their professional careers but also equipped to succeed in the widely recognized Microsoft Certification exams on programming. The authors investigate the use of the Solver feature of Microsoft Excel to evaluate strategies for selecting topics that should be included in a graduate-level programming course. The results indicate that to succeed in the Windows-based Microsoft certification exams, we need to increase the coverage in the areas of object-oriented programming, database, XML, COM and other advanced topics . To succeed in the Web-based Microsoft certification exams, we need to increase the coverage in the areas of database, storage and advanced topics . This increase in effective coverage correlates with an increase in passing rates from approximately 40% to over 50% after making a change in our curriculum. Our findings can be useful for instructors who wish to reformulate their programming courses and challenge students with professional certifications that prepare students for successful IT careers

DOI:10.2458/azu_itet_v5i2_rob


Keywords


Programming; Teaching; Information Technology; IT Certification; MIS

Full Text:

PDF HTML

References


Al-Rawi, A., Lansari, A. & Bouslama, F. (2005). A holistic approach to develop is curricula: focusing on accreditation and IT certification. Journal of Information Technology Education, 4, 307-327.

Arbanas, K. and Alagic. D. (2014). Requirements of practice in relation to the existing information technology and security management competences. 37th International Convention on Information and Communication Technology, Electronics and Microelectronics (MIPRO), 26-30.

Ben-Ari, M. (2001). Constructivism in computer science education. Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 20(1), 45-73.

Bishop, M. and Frincke, D. (2004). Academic degrees and professional certification, IEEE Security & Privacy, 2(6), 56-58.

Carter, S. D. (2005). The growth of supply and demand of occupational-based training and certification in the United States, 1990–2003. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 16(1), 33-54.

Ensmenger, N. L. (2002). The ‘question of professionalism’ in the computer fields. IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, 23(4), 56-74.

Hopkins, C. W., Pickard, J. & Patrick, A. (2014). Getting students certified: A study on certification pass rates in information technology degree programs. Proceedings of the 2014 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Conference, 1-13.

Lao, D. (2005). Using constructivism as a teaching model for computer science. The China Papers, Available at http://science.uniserve.edu.au/pubs/china/vol5/CP5_itcs_02.pdf.

Lee, C. K. & Han, H. (2008). Analysis of skills requirement for entry-level programmer/analysts in Fortune 500 corporations. Journal of Information Systems Education, 19(1), 17-27.

McGill. T. & Dixon, M. (2013). An investigation of the impact of recertification requirements on recertification decisions. Proceedings of the 2013 Annual Conference on Computers and People Research, 79-86.

Microsoft-70-306: Preparation guide for Exam 70-306, developing and implementing Windows-based applications with Microsoft Visual Basic.NET and Microsoft Visual Studio.NET. https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-306.mspx.

Microsoft-70-315: Preparation guide for Exam 70-306, developing and implementing Windows-based applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET. https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-306.mspx.

Ortiz, A. (2003). Preparing undergraduate students for Java certification, Proceeding OOPSLA '03 Companion of the 18th Annual ACM SIGPLAN Conference on Object-Oriented Programming, Systems, Languages, and Applications, pp. 178-183.

Reinicke, B. A. and Janicki, T. (2013). Who needs certifications? A survey of certifications in the IT industry. 2013 Proceedings of the Information Systems Educators Conference, 1-8.

Rob, M. (2014). IT certification: Demand, characteristics and integration in to traditional university MIS curriculum. Communications of the IIMA, 14(1), 21-44.

Robins, A., Rountree, J. & Rountree, N. (2010). Learning and teaching programming: A review and discussion. Computer Science Education, 13(2), 137-172.

Å erbec, I., NanÄovska, KauÄiÄ, B., & Rugelj, J. (2008). Pair programming as a modern method of teaching computer science. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 3(S2), 45-49.

Trip, L. L. (2002). Software certification debate: Benefits of certification. IEEE Computer, 33, 31-33.

Vihavainen, A., Paksula, M. & Luukkainen, M. (2011). Extreme apprenticeship method in teaching programming for beginners. SIGCSE '11 Proceedings of the 42nd ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, 93-98.

Wilkens, E. S. (2013). Factors influencing the pursuit of IT certifications: A study of Minnesota public community and technical college students. (Doctoral Dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest - https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED560461.

Woratschek, C. R. & Lenox, T. L. (2002). Information systems entry-level job skills - a survey of employers. ResearchGate Database, Also available at http://www.citeulike.org/user/jyellowlees/article/693225.

Wulf, T. (2005). Constructivist approaches for teaching computer programming. SIGITE '05 Proceedings of the 6th conference on Information technology education, 245-248.

Yew, B. K. (2008). A perspective on a management information systems (mis) program review. Journal of Information Technology Education, 7, 299-314.

Zeng, F. F. (2004). A new approach to integrate computer technology certifications into computer information system programs. Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition. Available at https://peer.asee.org/13181.