First “Microsoft Office Specialist” Certification Featured
The first “Microsoft Office Specialist” certified students at Liahona High School: Kukuna ‘Ahome‘e, Sēmisi Fifita, Vutulongo Huhane, Fe‘ofani Huni, Cindy ‘Iongi (missing), ‘Iunisi Kata, Siosiua Lātū, Faka‘ānaua Moala, Moonlight Muti, Lesieli Paletu‘a, Sione Pasikala, Zhaidellynn Tafea, Robin H. Tafengatoto, Tuasivivalu Vaitaki, Diana Fie‘eiki. (Niuvākai Photo: SAMokofisi)
First “Microsoft Office Specialist” Certification
Liahona High School
Written by Sione A. Mokofisi
(Editor – Niuvākai)
FUALU, TONGATAPU: Fifteen students at Liahona High School (LHS) graduated last week from the first “Microsoft Office Specialist” (MOS) IC2 course administered by the school’s computer division.
Folau Kioa, assistant director (AD) of LDS Church Schools in the South Pacific confirmed the course success rate came from Form 6 and Form 7 enrollees.
“This is a positive sign, and a successful indication of how timely our computer program is gaining popularity in our school,” Mr. Kioa explained to the Niuvākai. “The course is open to students of Forms 4 through Form 7 to signup and study for it.”
Beaming proudly with smiles at their certification presentation, 14 students (one student missing) and their four (4) computer instructors displayed their MOS Certificates. The MOS instructors are Meliame S. Fiefia; Denise ‘A. Kakau; Kalolaine P. Nuku; James R. Lui.
The MOS Course
The MOS course is the first-level requirement to master the popular Microsoft Office System: Access, Excel, Word Document, Powerpoint, Sharepoint, One Note, and Outlook (e-mailing).
AD Kioa and LHS Principal Fatafehi Fifita confirmed over 1,100 students have signed up for the MOS course. The 15 certified IC2 students are the first group to pass the computerized course by their computer instructors, according to the schedule and skill levels they’ve mastered.
The credential proves the individual’s mastery of the “functionality of the Microsoft Office system, resulting in increased academic and job performance, individual differentiation and personal confidence.” The course outline states.
AD Kioa and Principal Fifita confirmed there are seven (7) computer laboratories at LHS. The heavy enrollment in the MOS course keeps the laboratories busy, and the future of computer-based learning is taking off at the LDS-sponsored institution.
The Next Level: IC3
The next level for the 15 MOS graduates is the “Internet and Computing Core Certification” (IC3) specialization course. The instructions are on “basic instructions in computers, operating systems (OS), and functions of word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, and Web-browser applications,” listed in the course description.
“At this level, the course will be offered on Saturdays,” AD Kioa says.
When asked about the instructors’ qualifications, Kioa confirmed they are required to have a bachelor’s degree in education, mathematics, science, or even in the humanities.
“We are ready to add more instructors to administer the computer program in the future,” AD Kioa says. The four trainers currently are Microsoft (MS) specialist qualified; they’ve been through MS training, and are certified instructors.
The specialist training is a crucial link between the MS marketing of their Office System bundle. One of the most popular software programs in the world, MS must provide certified training to facilitate user-friendly services to MS Office System customers.
Business use of the MS Office System is the world’s choice for clerical, financial, training, and corporate presentations. Specialists are highly in demand by large corporations to train workers who are unfamiliar with the MS Office System.
Compulsory Computer-based learning
AD Kioa reveals LDS School System’s adaptation of compulsory computer-based learning in Liahona, beginning with the 2016 school year. “The Church is determined to bring computer-based education to Tonga,” he adds, and when asked how Tonga stands in the LDS School System’s pecking-order, and level of computer proficiency…
“Tonga is way up there near the top in our school system.” Kioa says. “Computers are a priority to us.”
How about transfer students coming from other high schools, and even the LDS schools that do not have computer-based learning? AD Kioa says, “…those students will be way behind the current crops of students we now have enrolled in the course.”
“Our program will go wherever there is Internet access available,” he adds.
Does that mean Tonga’s expensive and slow access to the Internet is hampering computer-based programs that are ready to be implemented?
“Of course,” AD Kioa replies.
Because Internet access holds the key to all business and education advancements anymore, would having free Internet unlock opportunities for our young generations?
“Absolutely, yes! We will expand our computer-based learning to all the islands whenever Internet access becomes available,” Kioa says.
