Back in November I attended a Microsoft Office Specialist Certification webinar, although in this case it was delivered by Prodigy Learning (Microsoft’s Academy Service Provider – MASP). This morning, I continued the conversation with Andrew Griggs, Regional Sales Manager for Prodigy Learning with our Network Manager contributing a technical and logistics point of view.
So, briefly, what is The Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (MOS)? It would appear that both Gerald Haigh and I are investigating that very question (I feel I am in good company). MOS is Microsoft’s official certification to validate computer skills using Microsoft Office desktop applications. Microsoft Office Specialist certification is an industry standard or ITQ qualification that is recognised throughout the world.
For education reference Microsoft Office Specialist units have been given accreditation by:
■ The Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA)
■ The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC)
■ City & Guilds and the Oxford Cambridge RSA (OCR) awarding bodies
5 stand alone Units, each 15 GLH underpinned the qualification with an additional CORE unit.
What else is essential knowledge at this point, before contacting Prodigy.
Well, MOS uses an Online Exam portal, instant grading for a yearly fee. I am not palming you off when I say you will need to speak to Prodigy for exact costings, as there are numerous costing models. For us, we would be looking at 1000 exams, 30 test PCs, rather than a Campus Licence which offers a site license with restrictions. In terms of teaching, there is additional courseware available, priced at £14.99 per book or £1350.00 for an electronic licence to use the ebook (chapter samples are available for review).
Andrew was very knowledgeable and open to discussion, there was certainly no hidden agenda or hard sell. He was kind enough to set up a series of Microsoft Office Specialist Practice Exam accounts for our Digital Leaders to review using the GMetrix system. I will let you know how easy these were to set up. Usually, once the students have practiced and shown progress, they would move onto the exam, a logical process.
Still interested? Looking to compare MOS to Functional Skills? Considering MOS for staff training? Well, drop Prodigy Learning a call or for now, follow this link to a video case study from a school in Kent – Microsoft IT Academy Video Case Study.
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