Toolwire Releases CompTIA A+ Scenarios With Windows 7

PLEASANTON, Calif., Aug. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Toolwire, a global leader in experiential learning technologies, has added Microsoft Windows 7 to its CompTIA A+ InteractiveScenarios.  Toolwire's move is in lock-step with a decision by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), an international vendor neutral certification organization, to include Windows 7 in its CompTIA A+ Certification Exam.

The CompTIA A+ Certification Exam, an industry standard for entry-level information technology professionals, is typically revised every three years. While the next version of the exam is due out in 2012, CompTIA's decision to make this adjustment to the exam in 2011 is a testimony to the fast adoption of Microsoft's popular Windows 7 operating system.

"CompTIA is committed to developing exams that contain up-to-date information so that candidates' job skills are relevant to today's industry needs," commented Matthew Poyiadgi – Vice President CompTIA. "To reflect Windows 7's growth in the marketplace, the CompTIA A+ advisory committee recommended adding Windows 7 content to the existing CompTIA A+ exam objectives that relate to operating systems."

Toolwire's CompTIA A+ InteractiveScenarios, mapped directly to the CompTIA A+ Essential and Practical Application learning objectives, are the most comprehensive, affordable lab exercises for educating today's aspiring IT professional.  

Combining real-world virtual labs and illustrated scenarios that immerse learners in practical "day-in-the-life" situations, these InteractiveScenarios bring learning to life in a "technology apprenticeship" involving real IT equipment, computer software, and four different operating systems (now including Windows 7).  This latest release also now contains enhanced break-fix training, applied learning activities that require students to restore computer systems that break as the scenarios unfold.

Toolwire's CompTIA A+ learning solutions prepare learners to perform a wide range of tasks such as installation, preventive maintenance, networking, security, and troubleshooting.  At the same time, they also teach vital customer service and communication skills.  Through Toolwire's comprehensive CompTIA library, learners can earn over 100 hours of authentic experience towards their CompTIA certification, while they are still in school, on a wide range of systems that might otherwise be unavailable.

Hosted by Toolwire, these InteractiveScenarios are accessible to students anytime, anywhere. For Higher Education institutions, these learning solutions are a great way to extend campuses, increase curriculum standardization, and scale instruction.

Pre-built and "ready-to-go", CompTIA A+ Scenarios can be easily plugged into any course. Instructors benefit from the ability to gauge student progress through built-in assessments, and students enjoy the flexibility to tune the pace and timing of their training to fit their busy schedules.  

John Valencia, President and CEO at Toolwire commented, "This new release reflects Toolwire's commitment to providing highly relevant and engaging learning technologies.  Our goal is to enable Higher Education and corporate training institutions to increase retention rates and improve student success. By teaching both essential IT hard skills and critical communication and problem solving skills, CompTIA A+ InteractiveScenarios provide the vital training students need in today's dynamic, technology-enabled workplace."

About Toolwire

Toolwire is a learning solutions provider specializing in products and services for experiential learning. Empowering Higher Education and corporate training institutions  to deliver immersive "virtual internships" across a broad range of subject areas including Information Technology, Business, Healthcare, Legal, and Applied Science, our Toolwire Learnscapes, StudentDesktops, Scenarios, and LiveLabs provide the quickest and most effective way to develop agile minds, ensure ongoing competency, and enhance student success.

A double-gold medal winner at the 2011 Institute of IT Training Awards for Learning Technologies Solution of the Year and Instructional Designer of the Year, Toolwire was recently named to Red Herring's Top 100 North America, a prestigious list honoring the year's most promising private technology companies, and was the only education company on the list. For more information, please visit www.toolwire.com.

About CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+, recognized worldwide as the de facto standard for entry-level computer technicians, opens doors to an exciting career in computing technology and is part of the certification track for companies such as Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, and Novell.  Since the program's inception in 1993, more than 700,000 people worldwide have become certified.

Media Contact:

Peyton Williams
Product Marketing and Programs Manager
Toolwire, Inc.
1-646-352-2525
[email protected]

SOURCE Toolwire