A+ CBT Training recommendations for high school

aaron.schultz.22

Greetings Forum Members,
Here's the situation. Our family homeschools our two children. We also help our home school group by vetting new curriculim ideas. My son is entering his 9th grade year and has an interest in computers, robotics, electronics, etc. He is a quick study and enjoys CBT style courses. We have agreed that he should pursue his A+ certification, followed by Network +. We have found that CBT style courses are a great medium for him. I am looking for a CBT course that will teach him the material as well as prepare him fot the exam. I haven't found any good resources out there for evaluating the various offeror's of such materials. I'm finding that $300-$400 is the rough range I should expect to pay after haggling. This is acceptable.

Here's what I'm hoping the forum can help me with. I've loooked at TrainSignal, CBT Direct/Campus, and CBT Nuggets. They all look like they cover the material. TrainSignal had the best demo I saw. We are lookoing for a modular approach that we can stucture into a daily study plan. I'd appreciate recommendations or quick pro/con evaluations from forum members who have experience with the various CBT options for A+ and Network +. Our preference is an online/browser/cloud based training that can be accessed from any Internet connected computer/moblie device. However, our primary objective is mastery of the subject material and certification.


Thank you in advance for you time and experience.

-Aaron

mattlee09

You might also consider 'TestOut LabSim'. It appears they have a 7 day free trial. TestOut definitely has a modular design, and also has virtual simulations that are a decent substitute for real hardware (at least starting out).

Online IT Certification and Certification Training | TestOut | LabSim

Free Trial Signup

Slowhand

I think it's a great idea for high-school aged kids to pursue their interests, even into the realm of professional training. From what you're talking about, it looks like both CBT Nuggets and TestOut would be appropriate, where CBT Nuggets is solely video-based and TestOut has some videos as well as hands-on lab training. Having multiple resources for these tests is always a good idea, so don't forget to look around our forums for suggestions on what books are currently recommended for A+ and Network+. Don't forget that there's no substitute for hands-on learning, so try to make sure you have some computer hardware for him to practice tinkering with.

On another topic, if your son has an interest in electronics, robotics, and computers, chances are he will probably find his interests drifting towards either a computer science or engineering field when it's time for college. Do him a favor and begin ramping up his math and physics skills now. Having a rock-solid foundation in algebra, trigonometry, and calculus (both single and multi-variable,) is absolutely essential to these fields. A strong understanding of physics - including mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, etc. - is also important. Considering that you're helping him step into a more advanced curriculum for computer technology than the average high-schooler sees, there's no reason why he can't get a good start on the other skills he needs for his interests.

I can recommend the following resources for both math and physics, as well as some computer science and electronics/robotics topics:

• MIT's OpenCourseWare Free Online Videos and Other Training Material
• The Khan Academy for Supplemental Math and Physics Learning
• BookBoon for Textbooks
• Cramster is a Great Resource for Homework Help

And, as a fun side-note, there is a series called "The Manga Guide to. . ." which includes everything from math, computer topics, to astronomy and chemistry. They're presented in a story-format, created by some of the more talented manga artists working today, and really are fantastic as supplements to textbooks and classes to help clarify the material the student is learning.

Roguetadhg

Slowhand. Do you teach? Because if you don't, I recommend you do. I'd like to have you as a Computer teacher back in the high school days.

Slowhand

Roguetadhg wrote: »

Slowhand. Do you teach? Because if you don't, I recommend you do. I'd like to have you as a Computer teacher back in the high school days.

Heh, I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I'm still chugging my way through college at the moment. Chances are, though, once I make the jump to grad-school I'll shoot for a graduate student instructor position to help pay the bills. If I'd known about some of the resources I posted above when I first started out, though, I'm pretty sure I'd have that sheepskin in hand by now.

NetworkingStudent

aaron.schultz.22 wrote: »

Greetings Forum Members,
Here's the situation. Our family homeschools our two children. We also help our home school group by vetting new curriculim ideas. My son is entering his 9th grade year and has an interest in computers, robotics, electronics, etc. He is a quick study and enjoys CBT style courses. We have agreed that he should pursue his A+ certification, followed by Network +. We have found that CBT style courses are a great medium for him. I am looking for a CBT course that will teach him the material as well as prepare him fot the exam. I haven't found any good resources out there for evaluating the various offeror's of such materials. I'm finding that $300-$400 is the rough range I should expect to pay after haggling. This is acceptable.

Here's what I'm hoping the forum can help me with. I've loooked at TrainSignal, CBT Direct/Campus, and CBT Nuggets. They all look like they cover the material. TrainSignal had the best demo I saw. We are lookoing for a modular approach that we can stucture into a daily study plan. I'd appreciate recommendations or quick pro/con evaluations from forum members who have experience with the various CBT options for A+ and Network +. Our preference is an online/browser/cloud based training that can be accessed from any Internet connected computer/moblie device. However, our primary objective is mastery of the subject material and certification.


Thank you in advance for you time and experience.

-Aaron

Personally, I would go with the lab sim for the A+ and Network+. I should mention that if you call lab sim/test out, you might able to get a student discount for your son. I got a discount when I was in college, but I’m not sure if that discount applies to high school students. Professer Messer is a good resource too. I suggest helping him build a computer from scratch and picking out the parts, because that is part of the learning experience.
I say get this poster, because it does come in handy:

Computer Hardware Chart: Guide To Computer Hardware

These sites help explain the parts of a computer:
Tom's Hardware: Hardware News, Tests and Reviews

How to fix a computer

Free Computer Basics Tutorial

Free Online Learning at GCFLearnFree.org



Free CompTIA A+ Essentials: A+ Certification Exam Study: Comptia A+ Certification Test Practice: A Plus

good luck

gosh1976

I doubt that you can beat the combo of the mike myers all in one book, the free professor messer videos, and the practice test of your choice (boson, transcender, etc..)

The professor messer videos are great. Professor Messer, CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Microsoft Certification Training

aaron.schultz.22

Thank you all for the helpful comments. We looked into test out/labsim. The demo was pretty good and the price was great for students, under $90. It turned out to be axactly what we were looking for; browser based, modular approach, good videos, virtual lab and test prep.

As for some of the other recommended resources, the Khan Academy is pure awesome. We've been using it for a few months now. Sal does a great job.

The MIT open courses were pretty amazing, but a little advanced for my kids. The math courses start with single variable calculus. The engineering and mechanics courses looked pretty involved. I wouldnt expect anything less from MIT.

I've used the Mike Meyers books they are solid. We might supplement with them.

I haven't investigated all others yet.

Thank you all.