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Certifications vs. Education

From Dr. Steven Brown | November 18th, 2008

Always seeming to end up as an argumentative discussion, the value of an education vs. the value of certification has filled many publications and trade magazines. The subject of academic dishonesty has always had a place in higher education, but the same (or what may be referred to as “certification cheating”) as not been a major priority in certification testing.

While several factors may explain this phenomenon, the main one seems to be the legal process. While the Digital Millennium Copyright Act gave software vendors the laws to go after those who offer unauthorized content to their certification tests, the process of going after those who enable others to cheat, especially when they are in other countries, has impeded this process. Now, the IT industry is looking into a new area, that of the IT Certification Council (ITCC), whose charter seems to be helping increase the value of IT Certifications, while reducing the exam security problems and minimize cheating.

This council was chartered by a number of testing and certification facilities and by major technology corporations, including Linux, IBM, Sun, and Novell. It will be important that as this council grows and certifications are strengthened, this should follow the academic accreditation model and make these certifications stronger. This should not to add another layer of certifications or a revenue stream. In any event, reducing cheating and increasing the value of certifications will improve the IT workforce.

Read the story here, and then comment below with your thoughts on how this could benefit (or hinder) the IT professional community.

 

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One Response to “Certifications vs. Education”

  1. James Zinnel says:
    November 19th, 2008 at 8:57 pm

    As someone with strong academic skills I was first exposed to this type of behavior during my years as an undergraduate. I belonged to a group who excelled academically but was short on monetary resources. Fortunately, most of the members had no shortage of nerve. They supplemented their incomes by providing test taking services to unscrupulous students.

    Today I work at a major medical facility and most of my personal contacts involve professional medical personnel. One recently took the state boards for nurse anesthesiology certification. I was impressed by the format and protocol they’re required to follow. Modeling IT certifications using state medical board exams might not be ideal but they’re basic format might be appropriate.

    My experience with academics and my regard for faculty members of institutions is high. Why are these certifications not incorporated with the academic organizations familiar with update to date testing procedures? Colleges have made major changes to their testing requirements since I was a student. Although I’m sure cheating still exists shouldn’t our trust in someone’s skill level be returned to the academic environment? Its obvious integrity no longer exists within American’s corporate structure.

    James Zinnel

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