This bestselling textbook provides an engaging and user-friendly introduction to the study of language.

Assuming no prior knowledge of the subject, Yule presents information in bite-sized sections, clearly explaining the major concepts in linguistics – from how children learn language to why men and women speak differently, through all the key elements of language. This fifth edition has been revised and updated with new figures and tables, additional topics, and numerous new examples using languages from across the world.To increase student engagement and to foster problem-solving and critical thinking skills, the book includes thirty new tasks. An expanded and revised online study guide provides students with further resources, including answers and tutorials for all tasks, while encouraging lively and proactive learning. This is the most fundamental and easy-to-use introduction to the study of language.

In the 1980s, a 19-year-old pre-med student at the University of Texas just happened to like computers – a lot. Michael Dell never made it to graduation and dropped out at the end of his first year to pursue a different dream, armed only with a $1,000 stake from his family and a love of PCs. No one could have predicted that Dell would turn his dorm room “business” into Dell Inc., a globally recognized leader in computing.

Dell merged with EMC Corporation in late 2016, and the new company was rebranded as Dell Technologies, which includes Dell, Dell EMC, Pivotal, RSA, Secureworks, Virtustream and VMware. According to Forbes, Dell Technologies (before completion of the merger with EMC) was the fourth largest privately held company in the United States and the world’s largest privately held technology company. With offices in more than 180 countries worldwide, Dell boasts more than 145,000 employees, with sales exceeding $74 billion in 2016. According to its investor relations website, a whopping 98% of all Fortune 500 companies use Dell Technologies products and services. Dell is also well represented in Gartner Magic Quadrant leader lists for products and services, including the Data Center Backup and Recovery Software, Managed Security Services, and Integrated Systems lists.

Computing products remain a staple in the Dell product portfolio. Consumers interested in laptops, workstations, tablets and desktops will find a variety of products available (along with peripherals such as monitors, printers and VDI appliances) to meet personal, SMB, enterprise or gaming requirements. Dell also offers solutions for networks, storage, servers, gateways and embedded computing, as well as a broad range of IT and business services.

Dell Technologies’ products and services currently fall under seven technology brands:

Within each brand, there are multiple products, services and solutions that cater to specific areas of interest for Dell customers.

VMware, Secureworks and Pivotal continue to strategically align with Dell Technologies’ core business areas. VMware continues to provide hybrid cloud, mobile computing and software-defined data center solutions. Pivotal offers analytic tools, next-generation software development methodology and modern cloud-native platforms, while Secureworks focuses on incident response and threat intelligence security. RSA helps companies manage and monitor their digital risk profiles and activities.

Dell certification program overview

In response to its merger with EMC, Dell and Dell EMC’s certification programs have merged into the unified Dell EMC Proven Professional certification portfolio. You’ll find that the website and certifications have a brand-new look and feel. Dell Education Services offers two CompTIA certs along with numerous Dell EMC certifications divided up by technology category or track, including Storage, Data Protection, Converged Infrastructure and Data Science. A latest search of the Dell certification website finds that Dell no longer offers Microsoft certification training courses.

If you’re not sure where to start on your certification journey, the new Dell EMC Proven Professional certification framework is a great starting point. Here, you’ll find certifications for four skill levels:

• Dell EMC Certified Associate (DECA): Entry-level or foundational knowledge
• Dell EMC Certified Specialist (DECS): Technology and role-specific skills
• Dell EMC Certified Expert (DECE): Advanced experience and skills in multiple technologies
• Dell EMC Certified Master (DECM): Subject matter expertise in complex scenarios and multiple technologies

The certification framework is hierarchical: The specialist certification takes the lower-level associate credential as a prerequisite, while the expert-level credentials take both the associate and specialist credentials as prerequisites. Associate and specialist certifications do not expire. Master and expert certifications expire after two years.

In Dell’s certification framework, you’ll find Dell EMC credentials across eight different tracks: Technology Architect (TA), Cloud Architect (CA), Enterprise Architect (EA), Implementation Engineer (IE), Systems Administrator (SA), Platform Engineer (PE), Technical Support Engineer (TSE) and Data Scientist (DS). The certification framework also maps credentials back to specific technology areas (cloud, storage, data protection, server, networking, converged infrastructure and data science).

There are also certification maps for role-based credentials:

• Plan and Design Roadmap: This offers four credentials at the associate level, seven at the specialist level, three expert exams and a single master-level (architect) exam.
• Deploy Roadmap: This certification path offers four associate-level credentials, 13 specialist exams and four expert exams. Currently, there are no exams at the master level. The roadmap also mentions CompTIA Server+, two product and technology exams, associate and professional exams in server and networking, VxRail Appliance, and PowerEdge.
• Manage Roadmap: This path offers a single master exam, five expert exams, 15 specialist exams and four associate exams. It also includes CompTIA Server+, VMware VCP credentials, two product technology exams, and associate and professional exams in server and networking.
• Support Roadmap: The Support Roadmap includes one associate exam, seven specialist exams and one expert exam. It mentions CompTIA Server+ along with associate and professional networking and PowerEdge exams.

Certification candidates should register with Dell EMC TechDirect. From the TechDirect portal, candidates can access free test prep materials, schedule exams, view test results and print their certification transcripts. Candidates may also view their company’s competency status through the TechDirect portal.

Dell Partners whose employees have earned the Certified Deployment Professional badge may be eligible to earn the Services Competency for Deployment (or simply Deployment Competency) designation. To earn this competency, Partners must be at least at the Gold tier level and have two or more employees who’ve passed the associated exam. A formal application must be submitted to Dell requesting Deployment Competency designation. Deployment Competency designations are available for Server, Storage, Networking and Client Systems.

Dell EMC certifications

Because Dell has updated its certification portfolio, it’s well worth your time to peruse the new Dell EMC Proven Professional Certification Framework to understand the new certification flow. All certification tracks begin with selecting a technology concentration: Cloud, Storage, Data Protection, Server, Networking, Converged Infrastructure or Data Science. Next, candidates earn the DECA (associate) credential recommended for their technology track. From there, candidates select the applicable role-based certification roadmap (Plan and Design, Deploy, Manage, or Support) and follow the certification recommendations to earn the specialist, expert and master credentials available in that certification path.

Below, we’ve listed some examples of the many certifications you’ll find in the new Dell EMC program. We’ve chosen to present these certification examples by the available technology tracks.

Server

The Server technology roadmap is the only certification path where a third-party certification, the CompTIA Server+, serves as the associate-level credential.

• Implementation Engineer, PowerEdge Specialist (DECS-IE): Certification is focused on IT professionals working with Dell EMC PowerEdge Server technology and products. To earn the credential, candidates must first obtain either the CompTIA Server+ or the Dell Certified Associate PowerEdge credential and pass the specialist exam. The test targets PowerEdge rack and tower servers, installation, configuration (server storage, iDRAC and Lifecycle Controller), and maintenance and troubleshooting.

Storage

• Information Storage and Management Associate (DCA-ISM): This credential validates a candidate’s knowledge of data center infrastructure, storage systems (file-based, object-based, software-defined, block-based and intelligent), security, replication management, backup, archive, replication, and storage networking technologies (Fibre Channel SAN, Internet Protocol SAN and Fibre Channel over Ethernet SAN).
• Implementation Engineer, SC Series Specialist (DCS-IE): This certification targets professionals working with Dell EMC SC Series storage products. Skills covered include Dell Storage Manager installation and configuration, SC Series hardware and cabling (including Fibre Channel and iSCSI), SC Series configuration, administration (Storage Manager and SC Series), and SAN HBA and switch configuration. To earn the certification, candidates must possess the Associate Information Storage and Management Version 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 credential and pass the specialist exam.
• Expert – SC Series (DCE): To obtain this expert-level certification, candidates must possess the Specialist Implementation Engineer, SC Series certification and pass the expert exam. The test focuses on SC Series Storage product-related technologies, including hardware installation, storage array initialization, array configuration, failover testing, host confirmation and front-end storage networking configuration.

Networking

• Certified Associate – Networking: This credential targets professionals working with Dell EMC networking switches. Candidates should have at least one year of networking experience, with six months focused on installing and managing EMC networking switches, and be able to install, configure, and troubleshoot networking switches.
• Certified Professional – Networking: This credential targets experienced Dell hardware professionals. Candidates should have one to three years of experience, plus at least one year of direct experience managing or deploying Dell hardware solutions. Successful candidates will also understand deployment, cutover and integration planning, Dell tools for deployment, network configuration, and troubleshooting.

Cloud and Infrastructure Services (Cloud Architect)

• Cloud Infrastructure and Services Associate (DCA-CIS): This cert focuses on using cloud computing reference architectures to build cloud infrastructures, cloud technologies and processes, digital transformations, cloud services and applications, cloud security, business continuity, and cloud service management.
• Cloud Infrastructure Specialist (DCS-CA): This credential is the specialist level of the Dell EMC Cloud Architect certification. Candidates must possess either the associate level of the Information Storage Management (version 2.0 or 3.0) or the Cloud Infrastructure and Services (version 1.0, 2.0 or 3.0) credential and pass the specialist exam. The test focuses on cloud-related topics, including design, management, available resources (such as network, storage and computing), monitoring, hybrid cloud and disaster recovery.
• Cloud Architect, Cloud Services Expert (DCE-CA): This certification is the expert level of the Dell EMC Cloud Architect certification. As with the DCS-CA, candidates need to possess either the associate-level Information Storage and Management (version 2.0 or 3.0) or the Cloud Infrastructure and Services (version 1.0 or 2.0) credential plus the DCS-CA and pass the expert exam. The credential validates a candidate’s skill in planning and designing cloud infrastructures, business transformation, ITaaS environments, cloud services, security, governance, and financial and organizational planning.

Data Protection

• Data Protection and Management – Associate (DCA-DPM): This credential validates a candidate’s understanding of the data protection technologies, components and processes.
• Converged Infrastructure: Converged Infrastructure targets professionals who maintain, back up, configure, upgrade, troubleshoot, monitor and administer VxBlock Systems. Two credentials are available:
  • Converged Systems and Hybrid Cloud Version 1.0 – Associate (DCA-CSHC): This is a foundation-level certification that focuses on a candidate’s understanding of how to effect transformation using Dell EMC Converged Systems and Digital and IT Transformation.
  • Systems Administrator, Converged Infrastructure Version 2.0 – Specialist (DCS-SA): This credential validates a candidate’s knowledge of VxBlock Systems concepts, administration, security, resource management, maintenance and troubleshooting.

Data Science

• Data Science Associate (DECA-DS): A foundation-level credential for those just entering the realm of data science and big data analytics, this certification focuses on the tools and techniques commonly used in data analytics.
• Advanced Analytics Specialist (DECS-DS): This certification focuses on using advanced analytic methods to identify and recommend solutions for business problems. Methods include visualization, Hadoop (including Hive, HBase and Pig), natural language processing and social network analysis.

Dell third-party certifications

On top of its Certified Deployment Professional certifications, Dell Education Services has partnered with several third-party organizations in the past to provide certifications for CompTIA and Microsoft certifications. However, Dell has reduced the number of CompTIA cert courses that it offers and totally eliminated its Microsoft cert courses.

CompTIA certifications

CompTIA is a well-known, vendor-neutral certification provider. Dell has reduced its CompTIA certification training courses to just two online offerings: A+ and Linux+ certs. The cost for CompTIA training courses ranges from $550 to $650 for these topics.

According to Dell, 78% of all companies use IT deployment services. With such a widespread need, IT professionals specializing in deployment find a demand for their skills across multiple industry sectors. Some of the sectors that Dell serves are education, energy, financial services, government (federal, state and local), healthcare, manufacturing, retail, telecommunications, media and entertainment, and web development.

Popular job boards such as TechCareers, SimplyHired and Glassdoor reveal numerous jobs available for Dell-certified deployment professionals. Most of the listed positions focus on engineering roles for server, virtualization, networking, systems, integration, data security and the like. Other available roles include consultants, account executives, system administrators, IT managers and deployment managers.

Dell recommends and offers core training courses for each of its Dell EMC credentials. Interested candidates who register on the DirectTech website can also access free test study guides. In addition, Dell offers many free e-learning courses at the foundation level on various Dell products and technologies, including networking, storage, data protection, big data and converged infrastructure.

Core recommended training for each solution track includes a basic, intermediate and advanced course. Prices vary, but candidates can expect to pay $2,500 to $5,000. Most training is a combination of e-learning activities that you complete prior to attending instructor-led training.

Dell also provides training for other certifications and training opportunities for end users and IT professionals in various disciplines, including these:

Fundamental or introductory courses typically cost $100 to $200, while advanced training courses may cost thousands of dollars (we found one course with a price tag of $10,000). Dell also offers onsite training courses, with most prices running at least double that of public courses. The most expensive onsite course we found topped $42,000.

Check out everything Dell has to offer on its Education Services webpage.

Ed Tittel

Ed is a 30-year-plus veteran of the computing industry who has worked as a programmer, a technical manager, a classroom instructor, a network consultant, and a technical evangelist for companies that include Burroughs, Schlumberger, Novell, IBM/Tivoli and NetQoS. He has written for numerous publications, including Tom’s IT Pro, and is the author of more than 140 computing books on information security, web markup languages and development tools, and Windows operating systems.

Earl Follis

Earl is also a 30-year veteran of the computer industry who has worked in IT training, marketing, technical evangelism, and market analysis in the areas of networking and systems technology and management. Ed and Earl met in the late 1980s when Ed hired Earl as a trainer at an Austin-area networking company that’s now part of HP. The two of them have written numerous books together on NetWare, Windows Server and other topics. Earl is also a regular writer for the computer trade press, with many e-books, whitepapers and articles to his credit.

By RV Raghu

2023 is going to see a steep spike in the technology adoption curve globally. This is going to bring to the forefront the need for increased digital trust. Ninety-eight% of respondents to ISACA’s State of Digital Trust survey said digital trust is very important to their organizations today, while 85% said digital trust is going to be even more important in five years from now. 56% of Indian respondents in the same survey said lack of staff skills and training is a major obstacle to digital trust in organizations. This has implications for both our personal and professional lives. Now if you are a professional in the IT or related space, I am sure you are thinking about how you could ride the technology wave and demand for digital trust professions to success. Here are a few certifications that can make your CV worth its weight in gold and help you do just that. 

Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE) – Privacy challenges abound with all technologies and privacy is increasingly becoming part of the equation with the rise of the metaverse, increased use artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), etc., making enterprises value anyone who brings a good understanding of privacy to the table. Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE) by ISACA is focused on validating the technical skills and knowledge it takes to assess, build, and implement comprehensive privacy solutions. CDPSE holders can fill the technical privacy skills gap so that their organizations have competent privacy technologists to build and implement solutions that mitigate risk and enhance efficiency. 

Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT): Professionals with the Certified Information Privacy Technologist credential from The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) apply strategies, policies, processes, and techniques to manage cybersecurity risks while enabling prudent data use for business purposes. CIPT certified professionals enable the enterprise to embed data protection practices in all aspects of enterprise processes making the privacy a key aspect of all decision making. 

Certificate of Cloud Auditing Knowledge (CCAK): Cloud technologies are going to see continued use in the coming year and bring with them a plethora of challenges. This is where the Certificate of Cloud Auditing Knowledge (CCAK) comes in handy. CCAK is the brainchild of Cloud Security Alliance and ISACA and is the first-ever, technical, vendor-neutral credential for cloud auditing. This certificate fills a gap in the industry for competent technical professionals who can help organizations mitigate risks and optimize ROI in the cloud. CCAK prepares IT professionals to address the unique challenges of auditing the cloud, ensuring the right controls for confidentiality, integrity and accessibility and mitigating risks and costs of audit management and non-compliance.

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM): As technology adoption increases, so does the need for professionals who understand the risks from these technologies and are able to implement necessary counter measures and controls to protect against the associated threats. ISACA’s Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification indicates expertise in information security governance, program development and management, incident management and risk management. A CISM certification is especially relevant to those with technical expertise and experience in Information Systems (IS)/Information Technology (IT) security and controls and wants to make the move from team player to manager.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): Another certificate that can come in handy when it come meeting the need for cybersecurity is the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). The CISSP providers the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively design, implement and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program.

Certified Data Professional (CDP): The CDP certificate by the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals enables data professionals to certify and special in various aspects of data management especially in the era when data is the new oil. CPD covers and allows specialization in business analytics, data analytics and design, Data Governance, (CDP-DG; DGSP), Data Integration and Interoperability), (CDP-DII), Data Management, (CDP-DM), Data & Information Quality, (CDP-DIQ), Data Stewardship, (CDP-DS) and aspects of data warehousing and enterprise data architecture. The CDP enables the professional to support better manage data and data related aspects in the enterprise. 

Certified  in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC): A key aspect of technology adoption is the need to understand and manage the risks from these technologies. ISACA’s Certified  in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) is the only credential focused on enterprise IT risk management. CRISC certification provides the necessary knowledge to build a well-defined, agile risk-management program, based on best practices to identify, analyze, evaluate, assess, prioritize, and respond to risks. CRISC certification is ideal for mid-career IT/IS audit, risk, and security professionals.

Adding these certifications to your resume should get your career off to a roaring start in the coming year and supply you the much needed skills to keep your enterprise safe. 

The author is ISACA Ambassador.

Written by the Priests and Pastoral Associates of Priests for Life

This study guide is based on the Vatican Translation of Humanae Vitae

Table of Contents:

Forward

Introduction to the Study Guide

Summary of the Introduction to the Encyclical and Section I: New Aspects of the Problem and Competency of the Magisterium

A Summary of Section II. Doctrinal Principles

Summary of Section III. Pastoral Directives 

Essay: Finding Our Way Back Home

Essay: Life, Purity and Humanae Vitae

Essay: The Transmission of Life -- On Whose Terms?

The Contraception of Grief: A Personal Testimony

Glossary of Terms

Foreword

That is also why our Priests for Life pastoral team wrote this Study Guide. We have also established a special website, www.HumanaeVitae40.com, to promote the teachings of this document. It is our daily prayer that this effort will lead many believers to understand, embrace, and proclaim the beautiful truth of human life. 

INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY GUIDE

For those considering the possibility of facilitating a study group, this study guide lends itself to a discussion study group method of learning. While a leader/facilitator encourages the group and keeps it “on track”, it is the individual sharing and group dynamic that contribute most to the learning process. The facilitator is not a lecturer, neither is he there to supply all the answers. The facilitator seeks to shepherd the group learning process and does everything possible to solicit their contributions. Members interact and learn from everyone, including the facilitator. A Facilitator’s Guide is available through Priests for Life at www.HumanaeVitae40.com. The Facilitator’s Guide seeks to assist you in leading a group and lays out suggested study sessions.

It is our hope, that on the fortieth anniversary of Humanae Vitae, this study guide will assist in promoting the Church’s clear and authoritative word on transmitting human life. May all who hear this true, prophetic and lovely word be assured that: the Church has always issued appropriate documents on the nature of marriage, the correct use of conjugal rights, and the duties of spouses. These documents have been more copious in latest times. (n.4)

A Macquarie University study of breast implants gone wrong has found that patients with complications occurring within five years of implantation were twice as likely to have used non-certified surgeons.

The study, published in the latest Aesthetic Surgery Journal and co-authored by surgeon Professor Anand Deva, analyzed data from a survey of more than 600 women who attended the Breast Implant Clinic at Macquarie University in 2018.

Patients who came to the clinic, which Deva describes as a world-first, had lived with their implant for an average of 11 years and had an average age of 42. The study showed that most experienced breast pain and/or a problem with the implant and the most common complication was capsular contracture, affecting more than 90% of clinic patients.

"Capsular contracture is where the shell of the implant becomes creased or folded instead of sitting smoothly within the body, and then contracts and becomes hardened," says Professor Anand Deva, who is Head of Cosmetic, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Macquarie University.

Visible deformities were also common, with almost a third of patients having the "waterfall deformity," where breast tissue can sag over the implant, and about one in eight patients having "double bubble" where the implant is displaced, slipping below the breast.

Patients have poor awareness of risks

Deva says the data was collected from more than 600 women who gave their consent for researchers to gather useful data about adverse events following breast implant surgery.

He says there was "poor awareness universally" about the risks of breast implants among patients.

"Many patients were also told not to have recommended cancer screening mammograms following breast implant surgery, which is incorrect," says Deva.

"One thing that stood out is that procedures by certified plastic surgeons carried a significantly lower risk of 'double bubble' and 'waterfall' complications, which can involve implant malposition and deformity," he says.

More than half the implants in women attending the clinic who had cosmetic procedures in Australia were inserted by doctors who were not qualified specialists, having either general medical registration or general practice registration.

Profit-driven clinics

Deva says the breast assessment clinic also revealed some concerning data about a subset of medical practitioners who had worked at the now-defunct cut-price breast implant clinic chain, The Cosmetic Institute—the subject of a current class action.

Most of these doctors only held Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) general registration, and had not completed any specialist training after their internship and residency.

"The lack of recognized surgical training and relative lack of experience by unqualified practitioners probably contributed to poor outcomes for many patients subject to invasive surgery," says Deva.

One in five women attending the breast assessment clinic had traveled overseas to get breast implants in "fly-in, fly-out" discounted arrangements where patients may only meet their surgeon just before their pre-paid operation, by which stage "fully informed patient consent" is less likely.

Australian research into medical tourism for breast implant surgery has shown that complications are common, and range from wound infection to serious outcomes including sepsis, radical mastectomy, brain injury and death.

Patients who return from overseas surgery with problems can also burden the Australian health system with the cost of treating these complications, Deva says.

No lifetime guarantee

Breast augmentation is the most common elective plastic surgery performed in the world after liposuction.

About 73% of the 65,000 breast implant patients recorded in the Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR) between 2012 and 2020 had surgery for cosmetic reasons, with the rest being post-cancer and other medical reconstruction. About a quarter of these cosmetic procedures involved surgery to correct or remove breast implants.

Deva says the ABDR was established in 2012 to record all breast implants and implant revision surgery in Australian women, following a series of crises around breast implant safety.

These included the failure of French company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP), which sold more than 300,000 implants containing poor-quality silicon, and had nearly 1,000 cases of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) reported globally.

"The registry meant that for the first time, we could understand the performance of these devices," he says—but adds the registry doesn't include the significant portion of implants now done overseas.

Revision surgery is common

After nine years, the registry shows that an increasing proportion of women with implants are undergoing revision surgeries.

Deva says most first-generation implants from the 1960s lasted just a few years and their thin shells often contracted and ruptured, but today's "fifth generation" of implants have more robust shells.

But while many breast implant manufacturers promise a lifetime warranty, Deva warns these guarantees have many loopholes and capsular contracture—the most common defect—is not covered.

"Our experience suggests that most implants fail over time, not just from device failure, but also from changes to the breast structure through breastfeeding, aging, menopause—just general wear and tear," he says.

"After around 10 years, there's a slow and steady accumulation of problems that will eventually require the implant to be removed or replaced."

Deva says that the Macquarie University breast implant assessment clinic provides a useful service where women can have their implants reviewed regularly, and there's a need for similar services to be established more widely.

"Our data also shows that there are still a lot of cowboys out there, and that better regulation of elective cosmetic procedures is necessary," he says.

The EdTech company continues to support educator pathways and diversify the teacher pipeline through its Keys to the Classroom initiative

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Study.com, one of the most transformational companies in EdTech, is partnering with TNTP Teaching Fellows to help aspiring educators earn their teaching credentials. Through its Keys to the Classroom initiative, Study.com will donate 400 test preparation scholarships to aspiring teachers across the five Fellows programs in Baltimore, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Minnesota.

TNTP Teaching Fellows programs offer career changers, graduating college seniors, and latest grads a more affordable, faster path to teacher certification through practice, job-embedded training, and personalized coaching. TNTP will manage the distribution of the scholarships to diversify and strengthen the teaching pipeline in the five communities they serve.

"At TNTP Teaching Fellows, we prioritize equitable education to ensure economic and social mobility for our students," said Jamila Newman, TNTP Vice President. "One proven way to Strengthen student performance and life outcomes, especially for students of color, is to ensure that the teacher workforce is diverse and holds and delivers on the high expectation that all students can excel."

According to a 2019 National Council on Teacher Quality report, half of teacher candidates do not receive a passing score on their first certification exam, and a quarter never pass. The discrepancies in passage rates between white candidates and candidates of color are significant, as 38 percent of Black teacher candidates never pass the Praxis.

"Research shows that students benefit when a teacher's race and ethnicity reflect the students they serve," said Dana Bryson, SVP of social impact at Study.com. "With over half of the teacher candidates in Keys to the Classroom identifying as people of color, we share a joint commitment with TNTP to break down barriers for teachers of color to get into the classroom, creating quality classroom experiences for students."

Story continues

Through Keys to the Classroom, Study.com partners with education departments, school districts, colleges of education, and education-focused nonprofits to help aspiring educators prepare and pass their credentialing exams. Keys to the Classroom is currently in 20 states, and Study.com has committed to donating over $4 million in test prep materials. Keys to the Classroom was recently honored by Tech and Learning with an Award of Excellence for Primary Education.

About Study.com

Study.com enables learners and educators to meet their academic and professional goals through K12 curriculum, college courses, tutoring and test preparation. Used in over 9,000 school districts across the nation, Study.com is recognized by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for meeting Level IV evidence standards. Headquartered in Mountain View, CA, Study.com is named on the 2022 and 2023 GSV 150, a list of the world's most transformative private companies in education. The company has donated $27 million across social impact programs committed to the mission of Making Education Accessible. These programs include Working Scholars®, an accelerated pathway for working adults to earn a debt-free bachelor's degree, and Keys to the Classroom, which seeks to help aspiring educators prepare for and pass their teacher certification exams.

About TNTP

TNTP believes our nation's public schools can offer all children an excellent education. A national nonprofit founded by teachers, we help school systems end educational inequality. We work at every level of the public education system to attract and train talented teachers and school leaders, ensure rigorous and engaging classrooms, and create environments that prioritize great teaching and accelerate student learning. Since 1997, we've partnered with hundreds of public school districts, charter school networks, and state departments of education. We have recruited or trained more than 50,000 teachers and inspired policy change through acclaimed studies such as The Mirage (2015), The Irreplaceables (2012), and The Widget Effect (2009). Our latest report, The Opportunity Myth (2018), followed nearly 4,000 students in five diverse school systems to learn more about their experiences in school. Today, TNTP works directly with more than 300 school systems in 35 states.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/studycom-partners-with-tntp-to-support-teacher-certification-301728384.html

SOURCE Study.com

© Provided by The Manual

Fitness is always the number one New Year’s Resolution goal come the start of the year. A major turnoff for those trying to Strengthen their health is knowing where to start, regardless of what time of the year it is. Attacking your fitness goals can seem daunting at first. Beginner workouts are useful to help get your body acclimated to a new routine. Whether you want to lose love handles, exercise in 20 minutes, train for an ultra marathon or endurance event, or simply take better care of yourself, making a consistent habit out of exercising is the first step. Weight training creates a solid foundation that sets you up to achieve your fitness goals, but it can feel overwhelming for beginners.

“On a physical level, weight training can Strengthen strength, endurance, and balance, and it also helps keep your bones healthy,” says Kenta Seki, ACE-certified personal trainer and FitOn App Trainer. “On a mental level, exercise and weight training can Strengthen your mood and sleep patterns, and even boost your self-confidence.”

So to help you become familiar with the movements and techniques of weight training, we worked with Kenta to create a beginners’ workout guide in order for you to execute these exercises and supply you the results you’re after. You don’t need a ton of workout equipment to see results quickly – you just need a basic understanding of the weight training principles.

Before you start throwing heavy weights around your local gym or home gym, Kenta has a few pieces of advice for weight training safely.

Warm-up

© Provided by The Manual

“Don’t skip your warm-up,” says Kenta. A light cardio exercise, like a 5-minute run or jog, and light stretching will help your body prepare for the work it’s about to do.

Another tip: Remember to breathe. Avoid holding your breath during any of the exercises below. Exhale while you’re putting forth the most effort on an exercise, and inhale as you’re coming back to your starting position.

Finally, Kenta underscores the importance of form above all else. “Don’t sacrifice form to lift heavier weights,” she warns. If your form is suffering due to the amount of weight you’re lifting, take it down a notch and work toward that heavier weight. Having goals to strive for is important in fitness, like anything else. You’ll feel better when you can lift that heavier weight confidently and properly than if you exhaust and possibly injure yourself in the process.

Squats

© Provided by The Manual

Squats certainly help build muscle in the leg, but the squatting movement also creates an anabolic environment, which promotes body-wide muscle building. Squats can help you Strengthen both your upper and lower body strength when done correctly, so nailing this exercise will set you up for success in future moves.

Execution

1. Start with your legs hips distance apart.
2. Hinge at the hips as you drive your butt backward.
3. Lower your butt until it’s parallel to the knees, keeping your toes and heels firmly planted on the ground.
4. If you don’t have a squat rack at home, take a dumbbell in each hand while performing this exercise, or dangle a kettlebell between your legs.
5. Do two sets of 15 repetitions.

Read more: Best Leg Workouts

Deadlifts

© Provided by The Manual A man performing a deadlift.

Deadlifts sound easy: At first glance, it just looks like you’re picking up a heavy object and setting it down. It might look simple, but this movement is actually incredibly complex and easy to do incorrectly, which can result in injury if you’re not careful. This exercise strengthens your legs, back, and the rest of your posterior chain, which helps take the stress off your lower back. It’s a beneficial exercise when done right, so establishing proper form is crucial to avoid having to correct bad habits later.

Execution

1. Grab the bar or dumbbells with an overhand grip, meaning your knuckles are facing away from you.
2. Lift the weight, keeping it close to your legs, focusing on taking the weight back into your heels.
3. Look straight ahead, not down.
4. Check your posture and make sure you’re standing up straight with your shoulders back, squeezing your shoulder blades, imagining you’re holding a pencil between them.
5. Lift the weight to thigh level, pause, and then return to your starting position.
6. Rest the weight between reps and remember to correct your form before starting another. Do two sets of 15.

Chest Presses

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Chest presses will help develop your upper body strength by toning your pectorals, deltoids, triceps, and biceps. This foundational arm workout is an effective and straightforward way to work out your upper body and developing that wide chest most men covet.

If you’re working out at home, this exercise can easily be done with dumbbells.

Execution

1. Lie back on a bench with your arms slightly bent and the weights aligned with your shoulders.
2. Brace your abs, keeping your feet on the floor and your lower back slightly arched as you lower the weights to shoulder level.
3. Do two sets of 15 reps.

Read more: Best Chest Workouts

Rows

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Rows are another upper body workout that carves and sculpts your back muscles. This exercise is especially important because it’s a movement that we don’t typically do in our daily lives, so it’s activating and building a muscle that rarely gets any attention. It also helps strengthen your posterior chain, which can alleviate back pain.

Dumbbell rows supply you a better range of motion than other row variations, so it’s what we’d recommend here.

Execution

1. Place one hand and one knee on the bench, grabbing a dumbbell in the other hand.
2. Let your arm hang down, keeping your spine aligned, and then row the weight back, squeezing your shoulder blades.
3. Think about pulling with your back, not your biceps, keeping the weight close to your body.
4. Do two sets of 15 reps with both arms, switching in between sets.

Read more: Best Back Workouts

Shoulder Presses

© Provided by The Manual

The shoulder press engages your shoulders and core, which can Strengthen muscle definition as well as stability. Your shoulders get activated in nearly every upper body strength workout, so strong shoulders can Strengthen your performance in other exercises.

Using dumbbells in this exercise helps activate the anterior (front) deltoid more than when using a barbell.

Execution

1. To perform the shoulder press, start by holding a dumbbell in each hand at shoulder level.
2. Don’t go wide – rotate your elbows forward a few degrees to be in front of your shoulders slightly.
3. Brace your abs, avoiding arching your back, and press the weights straight overhead while squeezing your shoulder blades.
4. Do two sets of 15 reps.

Read more: Best Shoulder Workouts

Overhead Tricep Extensions

© Provided by The Manual

The triceps are the muscles in the back of your arm, which is why they tend to be ignored in favor of bicep workouts that supply you those bulging muscles out on display for the world to see. But if you want balanced, tank-top-worthy arms by summer, you need to make sure you’re giving your triceps a little love.

The overhead triceps extension exercise is an isolation exercise, meaning it focuses on the tricep muscle alone. You can do overhead tricep extensions with one or two dumbells, either standing or seating.

Execution

1. Start with the weight behind your head.
2. Lift the dumbbell until your arms fully extended, keeping your elbows close to your head and pointing forward and your palms facing the sky.
3. Bend at the elbows, lowing the weight behind your head.

Read more: Best Arm Workouts

Bicep Curls

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Bicep curls are perhaps the most recognizable weight training exercise. The bicep muscle plays an important role in most pulling exercises, like deadlifts and rows, so focusing on beefing up your biceps will certainly pay off and help you unlock your full fitness potential.

Execution

1. Start with a dumbbell in each hand.
2. Keeping your upper arms glued to your sides, curl the weights until they reach your shoulder.
3. Return to the starting position and repeat 15 times over two sets.

Basics Work Best

Utilizing this exercise guide is the first step to learning the basics of an overall solid workout plan. Take your time and go light and slow when learning these moves and before long, fitness will be a consistency in your life.

The post A weightlifting guide for beginners, according to a certified personal trainer appeared first on The Manual.

The UW Outdoor Guide Certification course is an online, standardized, competency-based training program, designed to provide aspiring or established guides the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the industry, regardless of their area of outdoor expertise. If you are considering becoming or growing as a rock climbing, rafting, hunting, wildlife viewing, fishing, cycling, hiking, snowmobiling, ATVing, horseback riding, skiing, paddle sports (or any other form of outdoor guide) this training is specifically designed for you!

The course contains videos from industry experts, readings, discussions, knowledge checks, and short assignments. It is self-paced and flexible and should take approximately 32 hours to complete. Outdoor guide employers can use this course to supplement or enhance any internal training program already offered. Competency areas include 1) becoming a more effective outdoor educator, 2) improving naturalist skills, and 3) developing professional skills. 

Headquartered near Chicago, CompTIA is a nonprofit trade association made up of more than 2,000 member organizations and 3,000 business partners. Although the organization focuses on educating and certifying IT professionals, CompTIA also figures prominently in philanthropy and public policy advocacy.

CompTIA certification program overview

CompTIA’s vendor-neutral certification program is one of the best recognized in the IT industry. Since CompTIA developed its A+ credential in 1993, it has issued more than two million certifications.

In early 2018, CompTIA introduced its CompTIA Infrastructure Career Pathway. While you’ll still see the same familiar certifications that form the bedrock of the CompTIA certification portfolio, this new career pathway program more closely aligns CompTIA certifications to the real-world skills that IT professionals need to ensure success when managing and supporting IT infrastructures.

CompTIA certifications are grouped by skill set. Currently, CompTIA certs fall info four areas: Core, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity and Additional Professional certifications.

• Core Certifications: Designed to build core foundational skills, CompTIA offers four Core certifications: IT Fundamentals+ (a pre-career certification focused on IT foundation framework), CompTIA A+ (focused on user support and device connectivity), CompTIA Network+ (targeting core system connections with endpoint devices), and CompTIA Security+ (focused on entry level cybersecurity skills).
• Infrastructure Certifications: Designed to complement the Network+ credential, you’ll find three Infrastructure certifications: CompTIA Server+ (focused on issues related to server support and administration), CompTIA Cloud+ (covering hybrid cloud, virtual system administration and deploying network storage resources), and CompTIA Linux+ (focused on Linux operating system administration and management).
• Cybersecurity Certifications: CompTIA offers three cybersecurity credentials: CompTIA CySA+ (CySA stands for Cyber Security Analyst, and targets IT security behavioral analysts), CASP+ (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner; focuses on professionals who design and implement security solutions), and the CompTIA PenTest+ (Penetration testing, targets professionals who conduct penetration and vulnerability testing).
• Additional Professional Certifications: This category includes several credentials which don’t readily fit into any of the foregoing CompTIA career paths, including: CompTIA Project+, CompTIA CTT+ and CompTIA Cloud Essentials.

CompTIA Core Certifications

CompTIA IT Fundamentals+

CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ is ideal for beginners with a basic understanding of PC functionality and compatibility as well as familiarity with technology topics, such as hardware basics, software installation, security risks and prevention, and basic networking. It’s also ideal as a career planning or development tool for individuals beginning their IT careers or those seeking to make a career change. A single test is required to earn the credential. CompTIA launched a new IT Fundamentals+ test (Exam FC0-U61) in September 2018. This new test focuses on computing basics, database use, software development and IT infrastructure. The English version of the prior test (Exam FC0-U510) retires on July 15, 2019. Exams in other languages retire on December 1, 2019.

CompTIA A+

The CompTIA A+ certification has been described as an “entry-level rite of passage for IT technicians,” and for a good reason. This certification is designed for folks seeking a career as a help desk, support, service center or networking technician. It covers PC and laptop hardware, software installation, and configuration of computer and mobile operating systems. A+ also tests a candidate’s understanding of basic networking, troubleshooting and security skills, which serve as a springboard for CompTIA networking or security certifications or those offered by other organizations.

According to CompTIA, more than one million IT professionals hold the A+ certification. The A+ is required for Dell, Intel and HP service technicians and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense. CompTIA released new “Core” exams for the CompTIA A+ credential on January 15, 2019. These new exams provide additional focus on operational procedure competency and baseline security topics. Candidates must pass the Core 1 (exam 220-1001) and Core 2 (Exam 220-1002) exams. The Core 1 test targets virtualization, cloud computing, mobile devices, hardware, networking technology and troubleshooting. The Core 2 exams focuses on installation and configuring operating systems, troubleshooting software, operational procedures and security.

CompTIA Network+

Many IT professionals start with the A+ certification. While the A+ credential is recommended, if you have the experience and don’t feel a need for the A+, you can move directly to the CompTIA Network+ certification. It’s geared toward professionals who have at least nine months of networking experience. A candidate must be familiar with networking technologies, media, topologies, security, installation and configuration, and troubleshooting of common wired and wireless network devices. The Network+ certification is recommended or required by Dell, HP and Intel, and is also an accepted entry-point certification for the Apple Consultants Network. The Network+ credential meets the ISO 17024 standard and just like the A+, it is recognized by the U.S. DoD. A single test is required to earn the certification.

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ covers network security concepts, threats and vulnerabilities, access control, identity management, cryptography, and much more. Although CompTIA does not impose any prerequisites, the organization recommends that cert candidates obtain the Network+ credential and have at least two years of IT administration experience with a security focus. To obtain the Security+ certification candidates must pass on exam, SY0-501.

Infrastructure Certifications

CompTIA Linux+

The CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI certification is aimed at Linux network administrators with at least 12 months of Linux administration experience. Such experience should include installation, package management, GNU and Unix commands, shells, scripting, security and more. The A+ and Network+ certifications are recommended as a preamble to this certification but are not mandatory. Candidates must pass two exams (LX0-103 and LX0-104) to earn this credential. The exams must be taken in order, and candidates must pass test LX0-103 before attempting LX0-104. In 2018, CompTIA began testing a new beta test (XK1-004). The beta test offering ended October 22, 2018. New exams generally follow beta test tests so interested candidates should check the Linux+ web page for updates.

CompTIA Cloud+

As the cloud computing market continues to grow by leaps and bounds, the CompTIA Cloud+ certification has been keeping pace. This certification targets IT professionals with two to three years of experience in storage, networking or data center administration. A single exam, CV0-002, is required. It tests candidates’ knowledge of cloud technologies, hybrid and multicloud solutions, cloud markets, and incorporating cloud-based technology solutions into system operations.

CompTIA Server+

CompTIA Server+ aims at server administrators with 18 to 24 months of experience with server hardware and software technologies, and the A+ certification is recommended. The Server+ credential is recommended or required by HP, Intel and Lenovo for their server technicians. It is also recognized by Microsoft and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). A single exam, SK0-004, is required to achieve this credential.

CompTIA Cybersecurity Certifications

CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)

As cybercrime increases, the requirement for highly skilled information security analysts will continue to increase as well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports anticipated growth of 28 percent for information security analysts between 2016 and 2026, the fastest rate of growth for all occupations. One of the newer additions to the CompTIA certification portfolio is the Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification. The CySA+ credential is specifically designed to meet the ever-growing need for experienced, qualified information security analysts.

CySA+ credential holders are well versed in the use of system threat-detection tools, as well as the use of data and behavioral analytics to secure applications and systems from risks, threats and other vulnerabilities. CySA+ certification holders are not only able to monitor network behavior, but analyze results and create solutions to better protect against advanced persistent threats (APTs), intrusions, malware and the like.

CompTIA describes CySA+ as a bridge cert between the Security+ credential (requiring two years’ experience) and the master-level Advanced Security Practitioner Certification (CASP), which requires 10 years of experience. To earn a CySA+, candidates must pass a performance-based exam.

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner+ (CASP+)

While CompTIA no longer uses the “master” designation, the highly sought-after CASP+ certification is most certainly a master-level credential. Targeting practitioners, CASP is the only performance-based, hands-on certification currently available from CompTIA. This certification is designed for seasoned IT security professionals who plan, design and implement security solutions in an enterprise environment.

Although this certification doesn’t impose any explicit prerequisites, it’s not a bad idea to earn the Network+ and Security+ certifications before tackling the CASP exam. You should also have 10 years of IT administration experience plus a minimum of five years of technical security experience (thus securing this certification’s place as a “master” credential).

Booz Allen Hamilton, Network Solutions and Verizon Connect, among other companies, require CASP+ certification for certain positions. The U.S. Army and U.S. Navy also accept CASP+ as an industry-based certification required by employees and contractors who perform IT work in DoD data centers. The CASP+ certification requires that candidates pass the CAS-003 exam, which consists of 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions.

CompTIA PenTest+

The newest additional to the CompTIA certification family is the CompTIA PenTest+. An intermediate-level credential, PenTest+ is designed to complement the CySA+. While CySA+ is defensive in nature (focusing on threat detection and response), the PenTest+ credential is offensive, focusing on using penetration testing to identify and manage network vulnerabilities across multiple spectra.

There are no mandatory prerequisites, but the Network+ and Security+ (or equivalent skills) are highly recommended, along with a minimum of two years of information security experience. Candidates pursuing the cybersecurity career path may take the PenTest+ or CySA+ credential in any order.

The test was released in July 2018, and is focused on communicating and reporting results, analyzing data, conducting penetration testing and scanning, and planning assessments. The test also tests a candidate’s knowledge of legal and compliance requirements.

Additional Professional Certifications

CompTIA Project+

The CompTIA Project+ certification focuses exclusively on project management and is ideal for project managers who are familiar with project lifecycles from planning to completion, who can finish a project on time and under budget. Project managers interested in this certification should have at least one year of project management experience overseeing small- to medium-sized projects. The Project+ credential requires that candidates pass a multiple-choice exam, PK0-004.

CompTIA Cloud Essentials

The CompTIA Cloud Essentials certification is geared toward individuals who understand the business aspects of cloud computing and how to move from in-house to cloud storage. In addition, they should be familiar with the impacts, risks and consequences of implementing a cloud-based solution. A single test is required to earn the credential.

CompTIA CTT+

The CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) certification is perfect for anyone interested in technical training. It covers instructor skills, such as preparation, presentation, communication, facilitation and evaluation, in vendor-neutral fashion. Adobe, Cisco, Dell, IBM, Microsoft and Ricoh all recommend CTT+ to their trainers and accept it in lieu of their own in-house trainer certifications.

Two exams are required for the CTT+ credential: CompTIA CTT+ Essentials (TK0-201) and either CTT+ Classroom Performance Trainer (TK0-202) or CTT+ Virtual Classroom Trainer (TK0-203).

The CTT+ Classroom Performance Trainer and CTT+ Virtual Classroom Trainer are performance-based exams. In this case, you must submit a video or recording of your classroom (or virtual classroom sessions), and complete a form that documents your training preparation, delivery and student evaluations.

In addition to certification levels, CompTIA groups its certifications into several career paths:

• Information security
• Network and cloud technologies
• Hardware, services and infrastructure
• IT management and strategy
• Web and mobile
• Software development
• Training
• Office productivity

The CompTIA Certifications page lets you pick a certification level and/or a career path and then returns a list of certifications to focus on. For example, one of the most popular career paths in IT is network administration. CompTIA’s Network and Cloud Technologies career path offers numerous certifications that can help you advance your network administration career, such as IT Fundamentals+, A+ and Network+ (Core certs), along with Cloud+ and Linux+ (Infrastructure certifications) and Cloud Essentials.

Those interested in network security (one of the fastest growing fields in IT) should consider the certifications in CompTIA’s Information Security career path. This includes all four of the Core credentials (IT Fundamentals, A+, Network+ and Security+) along with all cybersecurity certifications (CySA+, PenTest+ and CASP+).

CompTIA provides a comprehensive IT certification roadmap that encompasses certifications from CompTIA as well as a variety of other organizations, including Cisco, EC-Council, Microsoft, (ISC)², ISACA, Mile2 and more.

Because CompTIA credentials do not focus on a single skill (such as networking or virtualization), CompTIA credential holders may find themselves in a variety of job roles depending on their experience, skill levels and areas of interest. Here are just a few of the possible careers that CompTIA credential holders may find themselves engaged in:

• A+: Typically, A+ credential holders find work in support roles, such as support administrators, support technicians or support specialists.
• Network+: Network+ professionals primarily work in network-related roles, such as network analysts, administrators or support specialists. Credential holders may also work as network engineers, field technicians or network help desk technicians.
• CySA+ Security Analyst: Common roles for professionals interested in cybersecurity, information security and risk analysis may engage in roles that include security engineers, cybersecurity analysts or specialists, threat or vulnerability analysts, or analysts for security operations centers (SOCs).
• Security+: Security spans a variety of jobs, such as network, system or security administrators, security managers, specialists or administrators, and security consultants.
• Server+: Roles for server professionals include storage and server administrators, as well as server support or IT/server technicians.
• Linux+: Linux professionals often work in roles such as Linux database administrators, network administrators or web administrators.
• Cloud+/Cloud Essentials: Cloud+ credential holders typically work as cloud specialists, developers or system and network administrators. Cloud Essentials professionals tend to work in areas related to cloud technical sales or business development.
• CASP+: Common roles for CASP+ credential holders include cybersecurity specialists, InfoSec specialists, information security professionals and security architects.
• Project+: Project+ credential holders typically engage in project leadership roles, such as project managers, coordinators and directors, or team leads.

While the examples above are by no means exhaustive, they provide an overview of some available careers. Your career choices are limited only by your interests, imagination and determination to achieve your personal goals.

CompTIA training and resources

CompTIA provides various and extensive training options, including classroom training, study materials and e-learning. A wide range of CompTIA Authorized Training Provider Partners (CAPPs), such as Global Knowledge, Learning Tree International and more, operate all over the world. Classroom and online/e-learning offerings range in cost from $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the particulars. Visit the CompTIA Training page for more details.

CompTIA works with third parties to offer self-study materials (the search tool is available here). Content that has been through a vetting process is branded with the CompTIA Approved Quality Content (CAQC) logo. Other materials that allow you to study at your own pace, such as audio segments, lesson activities and additional resources, are available through the CompTIA Marketplace.

Finally, every CompTIA A+, Linux+, Network+, Server+, Security+ and IT Fundamentals+ certification candidates must check out CertMaster, CompTIA’s online test prep tool. CertMaster helps you determine which syllabus you know well and those you need to brush up on, and suggests training to help you fill in the gaps.