“The response from educators, students and other members of the Open Source
community in assisting LPI with the development of the Linux Essentials
program has exceeded even our most optimistic expectations.
This confirms our research of the need for an entry-level “Certificate of
Achievement” measuring foundational knowledge in Linux and Open Source
Software. All volunteers who assisted LPI with this crucial stage of exam
development are “heroes” in our eyes,” said Jim Lacey, president and CEO of
LPI. Mr. Lacey went on to explain that beta exams enable psychometricians
to evaluate exam question quality and set the passing score which requires a
large pool of volunteer test takers.
LPI began recruiting volunteer “heroes” for the beta process in April
2012 (modelled after the Linux Essentials’ mascot–the “avenger”
penguin–see: http://www.lpi.org/blog/be-linux-essentials-hero). To date
close to 700 people have taken the beta test version of the Linux Essentials
exam–for its psychometric purposes LPI required 400 volunteer test takers.
Participant Highlights:
Birmingham City University (BCU), Birmingham, UK: On Monday May 21st,
24 students from the School of Computing, Telecommunications and Networks,
Faculty of Technology, Engineering and Environment, BCU were the world’s
first beta test takers of the Linux Essentials exam.
Faculty members Chris Maguire and Stephen Murphy, in cooperation with
LPI-UK, led the exam sessions. BCU faculty have also been actively involved
in developing exam questions for the Linux Essentials program.
LinuxTag, Berlin, Germany: During LinuxTag the first “free” study material
for the Linux Essentials exam was announced by Linup Front–a long time
developer of LPI courseware (http://www.linupfront.de/). The courseware is
a 300 page downloadable e-book available in both German
(http://shop-download.linupfront.de/cc/lxes-de-manual-cc.pdf) and English
(http://shop-download.linupfront.de/cc/lxes-en-manual-cc.pdf).
This courseware is also available for download for Android devices running
version 2.3.3 or later from the Google Play store in both German
(https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.linupfront.essentialsde)
and English
(https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.linupfront.essentialsen).
During LinuxTag 20 people participated in the first Linux Essentials exam
preparation course led by courseware author Michael Gisbers from Open Source
Press
(www.opensourcepress.de/index.php?26&backPID=178&tt_products=354) and
longtime LPI volunteer Dimitrios Bogiatzoules. Over 60 people participated
in the Linux Essentials beta exams at LinuxTag.
Jos, Nigeria: 71 people participated in a day long session of Linux
Essentials’ beta exams. Students of various ages and educational background
had prepared for the beta exams through a special course provided by Nignux
Technologies – a local Linux and Open Source IT company. Those participating
braved inclement weather in a city that has been the location of “turbulent
times in months past”–see an online report at:
http://answerpot.com/showthread.php?3579279-Linux+Essentials+%22Heroes%22
Linux Essentials’ beta exams were also held in other locations in Nigeria
within the states of Oyo, Lagos, and Ogun.
“Linux for Bulgarians”, Sofia, Bulgaria: during this annual national event
of Linux professionals in Bulgaria over 20 volunteers wrote beta Linux
Essentials exams through a new online system of exam delivery developed by
LPI and long time LPI affiliate L’Agence universitaire de la Francophonie
(AUF). See:
http://www.lpi-francophonie.org/spip.php?article265
LPI Marketplace: LPI recently launched an online resource for Linux
educational content. One of the featured products at LPI Marketplace is the
first published exam preparation book for Linux Essentials: “Linux
Essentials” by Roderick W. Smith of Sybex:
http://www.lpimarketplace.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=978-1-118-10679
-2
Other Linux Essentials’ beta exam locations in May/June 2012:
Germany: Munich, Stuttgart, Tettnang, Wurzburg
Switzerland: Winterthur
Italy: Rome, Orvieta
Iran: Isfahan State and Tehran
Oman: Oman University
Lebanon: Beirut
Tunisia: Tunis
The Linux Essentials program is in the final stage of development–a
modified Angoff study with Subject Matter Experts (SME) has just recently
been held in Utrecht, the Netherlands. A modified Angoff study provides
psychometric staff with additional data to validate questions and assist in
setting the passing score for the exam. For more information on this final
step towards exam publication see:
http://www.lpi.org/linux-certifications/structure/exam-creation
The Linux Essentials exam will be available at the end of June 2012 in
Europe, the Middle East and Africa and in other nations around the world in
2013. A full description of Linux Essentials is available at:
http://www.lpi.org/linuxessentials
Individuals and organizations interested in participating in the Linux
Essentials program may email LPI at: innovation@lpi.org
The Linux Professional Institute is globally supported by the IT industry,
enterprise customers, community professionals, government entities and the
educational community. LPI’s certification program is supported by an
affiliate network spanning five continents and is distributed worldwide in
multiple languages at more than 7,000 testing locations. Since 1999, LPI has
delivered over 300,000 exams and 100,000 LPIC certifications around the
world.
# # #
About the Linux Professional Institute:
The Linux Professional Institute provides a global framework, industry
leadership and other services to enhance, develop and further lifelong
professional careers in Linux and Open Source technologies. Established
as an international non-profit organization in September 1999 by the
Linux community, the Linux Professional Institute continues to
demonstrate recognized global leadership, direction and skill standards
for those who pursue a career in Linux and Open Source technology. LPI
advances the Linux and Open Source movement through strategic partners,
sponsorships, innovative programs and community development activities.
LPI’s major financial sponsors are Platinum Sponsors IBM, Linux Journal,
Linux Magazine, Novell, SGI, and TurboLinux as well as Gold Sponsors, HP
and IDG.
Media Contact:
Scott Lamberton
Director of Communications
Linux Professional Institute
http://www.lpi.org
slamberton@lpi.org
+1-905-269-0862
The post [LPI-News] Linux Essentials Heroes Complete Beta Tests appeared first on Computeruser.com.
