Overwhelmed … and Over My Head!
Today I watched the first two parts of the CompTIA A+ video series, which is an introduction to personal computers. The content is meant to cover objectives 1.1 (identify the fundamental principles of using personal computers) and 1.2 (install, configure, optimize and upgrade personal computer components) of the CompTIA A+ exam.
My first reaction was WHOA! This is a lot of stuff! Am I supposed to remember all of this?
I really took my time with this video. It’s over an hour long, but I have the option to (and this is the coolest thing ever!) go back to any part of the video and see it again. Not like in a classroom where if you get distracted you could miss the most important part of the lecture. So I abused this little feature to no limit, but I really think that it helped because a lot of this stuff is sticking!
I do feel a bit overwhelmed with all the information. I hope I don’t have to memorize all of it, but just in case I took some good notes. The video format is perfect for this, because again you can easily pause, or go back and review what David Davis (the course instructor) just said.
The biggest problem I have is keeping the terminology straight, so I’m also starting a little vocabulary journal to keep track of all these different terms and acronyms. While on the CompTIA site I actually found a list of acronyms for the CompTIA A+ exam. It’s a daunting list with nearly 300 acronyms which, according to the CompTIA site, will be on the test and I should have a working knowledge of all of them (Yikes!). As I continue with the videos I will be adding the definitions of the terms to this list, and hopefully that will help me with remembering all these words.
Some of the content is still way over my head, but I finally know what RAM, CPUs, and motherboards are and what they do! After seeing what’s inside a computer, how many components are needed to make it work, and how many different technologies are being utilized, I have a whole new respect for computers and for people who work with them. I knew these things were complex, but seeing it is so different. With a bit more practice and a few more videos, and I know I will start to understand how all of it works too …
TST Readers: how are your IT certs coming along?
Overwhelming is an understatement. You have done your homework how can I tell, just by looking at the question you ask at the end of your write up. The Cert/NoCert nerve is a tender one.
Hi Rudy,
I agree with you! The “Cert/No Cert” issue is definitely a sensitive one.
I’ve recently connected with a number of forums and blogs that focus on IT training and what I’ve found is much debate over the value of certifications, college degrees, and work experience. Many times, I see discussions over what’s more important and what will get you “the job”. But to me, a combination of all three seems like the best way to go, no matter how you look at it.
A certification or even a degree is not a measurement of your abilities, but it does show evidence of your accomplishments and your knowledge, and that’s the road to success. Don’t you agree?
Yes, most definitely, without a doubt and finally well with some exception. How’s that for avoiding a discussion on one or the other?
My time spent in the industry has its roots back in the day when Silicon Valley technology was sprinkled among the orchards and other various crop fields, here in California. Talk about being in the right spot at the right time.
Not only was I in the right spot but held an honorable discharge and carried Certifications in both basic as well as advanced electronics. Yes I said certification during a time when the only people being certified were welders.
Jobs were plentiful and training that followed was non stop and free or to me anyway. Every possible course or seminar was shoved down my throat at break neck speed. When the dust settled I was a Jack of all trades and master of none!
Sure have taken courses in community colleges for things I didn’t understand you know the basics stuff NT4.0, Unix Scripting but never in a contiguous fashion. Now I find my search for information more of a addiction then for any particular reason.
I continually surf the web for training which is affordable and fits my needs, TrainSignal was my first nugget in a very long search for “my” kind of training. The search continues one day I will find Trainsignal training method married to an online virtual class room. That place you meet to discuss those nagging problems you bumped into while trying to setup VPN or finding out what physical hardware looks like. Just what does a T1 look like cause I know what ADSL looks like and the matching connection point on the modem.
Tired of hearing go search for it (goolge-it) or check out forums both have failed and now a days takes up more time then actually reading the book. Remember those. Yeah I exaggerate but I am sure the thought wave has a familiar ring to it.
I don’t fear knowledge I seek it out.
Trainsignal has an enormous lead in this field and I ought to know cause have scoured the Internet for this type of training. Lets hope the latest move to expand bears more fruit.
I just failes my first attempt at the A+ cert. Apparently the book and online resouces I was using were a bit outdated. I used the Comptia complete A+ study guide and let me tell ya, only about 5 percent of the info was valid according to the test I took. I am a bit discouraged but I will press on to overcome adversity. I am now however seeking out more up to date info so I can get back in there an pass. Thanks for the info on these blogs now its back to studying.