PEGAPCSA85V1 resources - Pega Certified System Architect (PCSA) version 8.5 Updated: 2023

• Many businesses are migrating to cloud environments to minimize security risks, save money and gain competitive advantages.  
• Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a major player in the infrastructure as a service (IaaS) cloud market, with robust services and resources available.  
• IT professionals can access numerous free services to bolster their AWS knowledge and skills, including Amazon’s training, blogs and YouTube videos. 
• This article is for small business owners and IT professionals who are seeking free resources to take their AWS expertise to the next level. 

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a well-respected on-demand cloud computing platform provider that businesses can use to access reliable, scalable and affordable cloud services. As its popularity grows, more businesses want IT professionals with AWS expertise to fine-tune and manage cloud migrations, services, maintenance and security. 

Learning the ins and outs of AWS can help IT pros advance their careers, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Numerous free AWS training resources can supplement certification studies and add to a broader general knowledge of AWS.

Amazon-linked free training opportunities for AWS

Cloud hosting is an ever-burgeoning field, and IT pros may seek knowledge in various platforms, including Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. However, according to Statista, AWS dominates the arena, with a 32 percent market share in the fourth quarter of 2022. This status is prompting more and more IT pros to become proficient in the platform.  

Amazon encourages IT pros to learn more about AWS with the following free training opportunities. 

1. IT pros can access free Amazon Web Services training.

The following Amazon-sponsored training offerings will deepen your AWS proficiency and cloud computing knowledge, no matter your current familiarity or skill level. Visit the following resources: 

• AWS website: Get an overview of AWS on the AWS website.
• AWS Training and Certification website: The best place to start exploring free training is the AWS Training and Certification page. Explore digital and classroom training, and evaluate learning opportunities by role or solution. Training includes Cloud Essentials training, Architect training and Machine Learning training.
• Free AWS training programs: Amazon offers free AWS training programs in hundreds of subjects. Each program describes an AWS cloud Topic and lets participants tackle a hands-on lab to reinforce what they’ve learned. syllabus include data storage, databases, networking and content delivery, security and identity, analytics, and deployment and management. Some highlights include the following self-paced online courses:
  • Cloud Essentials learning plan: The Cloud Essentials learning plan is for beginners who are learning to implement solutions in the AWS cloud.
  • Data Analytics learning plan: The Data Analytics learning plan comprises a set of on-demand courses about data collection, storage, processing, visualization and more.
  • Security learning plan: The Security learning plan guides you through a recommended cybersecurity curriculum covering best practices for securing AWS implementations. 

AWS also offers these resources:

2. Access the AWS free tier to learn more about the platform.

For more opportunities to learn how AWS components work, sign up for the AWS Free Tier. For a year, you can play with the following:

Each AWS component has processing or capacity limits, such as 750 hours per month for Linux and another 750 hours for Windows in Amazon EC2. You must sign up for an AWS account to access the material. The company requires you to enter credit card information, but you won’t be charged for anything unless you exceed outlined time limits during the free subscription period.

3. Access AWS whitepapers as free training resources. 

AWS offers a library of whitepapers that provides information on the following: 

• Background on AWS services
• Tips on adopting AWS services
• Best practices for AWS solutions
• Guidance for architecting solutions
• Calculations for determining return on investment and total cost of ownership. 

Whitepapers are available in PDF, HTML and Kindle formats.

4. Read Amazon-linked blogs for more AWS information.

Company blogs and partner blogs are excellent free resources. The AWS News Blog, which is actually several blogs on various AWS components, is rife with great how-tos on using AWS. For example, the AWS Compute Blog zeroes in on the following and much more:

There are also blogs on AWS architecture, big data, security, mobile development and databases, to name just a few topics. Additionally, check out the following: 

• All Things Distributed blog: Be sure to check out All Things Distributed, which is Amazon Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Werner Vogels’ blog on building scalable and robust distributed systems.
• RightBrain Networks blog: RightBrain Networks is a consulting group and AWS partner. It offers cloud strategy, software development, managed services and training (for a fee). The RightBrain blog is a terrific free resource covering cloud computing and AWS certification test tips. 
• CloudThat blog: You should also browse the CloudThat blog on AWS for more cloud computing information.

Free AWS learning paths and videos 

For those who learn best with more traditional classes, numerous stand-alone courses and learning paths are available online. 

1. Coursera’s AWS resources

Coursera offers online courses from universities and organizations worldwide. Its free offerings provide video lectures and some assignments. If you pay for a course, you get access to all content and features and a certificate of completion.

Coursera’s AWS resources include the following: 

These courses are an excellent way to learn about AWS but do not offer hands-on experience. To get that, you must register for an AWS account and should consider using the AWS Free Tier. 

Coursera also offers several AWS-related specializations on Coursera. Specializations are course collections that provide a learning path on a specific subject. 

2. YouTube’s AWS resources

You can find robust training opportunities on YouTube. Here are a few of our favorite AWS resources:

• Amazon Web Services channel: The Amazon Web Services channel is the official AWS YouTube channel. It offers playlists detailing feature announcements and AWS capabilities. It also has a specific AWS training and certification training playlist.
• Cloud Computing With AWS: Cloud Computing With AWS is a highly rated video by Edureka covering cloud computing fundamentals, cloud deployment and delivery models for beginners. The latter part of the video focuses on AWS and use cases. At almost four hours, it’s longer than most.
• Simplilearn AWS channels: Simplilearn channels offer training videos and webinars on cloud computing in general and AWS in particular. Simplilearn also has an 11-hour course on AWS.
• AWS (Amazon Web Services) Introduction: Eli the Computer Guy brings you the basics of AWS, IaaS and compute in just under an hour in this video called AWS (Amazon Web Services) Introduction.
• AWS Tutorial Series: The AWS Tutorial Series provides tutorials with a focus on working with and linking multiple services.
• AWS Online Tech Talks: Led by AWS engineers and solution architects, AWS Online Tech Talks are live technical deep dives, customer examples, demonstrations and more.

3. Free trials and test-drives

Several online training companies that charge for courses also let customers sign up for a free trial. Here are a few options with AWS offerings:

AWS Partner Solutions is another resource. Its sandboxes allow you to explore several server-based solutions from AWS partners. There are test-drives for big data solutions, security, storage, DevOps, and more technologies and services. Each sandbox is a preconfigured virtual environment, and you get step-by-step instructions and videos.

4. Udemy’s AWS offerings

Udemy offers many very inexpensive courses, and the company regularly offers discounts on some of its higher-cost courses. Others are absolutely free. 

For example, AWS learners can take the Cloud Computing With Amazon Web Services course, which encompasses 29 bite-size lectures over nearly three hours. At present, Udemy offers several thousand AWS-related courses.

Microsoft Learn

Microsoft has its own Azure cloud service, so you’ll find Azure-related offerings on the Microsoft Learn platform. However, cloud services must work together to appeal to administrators. The Microsoft Learn platform has several resources that touch on AWS, including a course called Connect non-Azure resources to Microsoft Defender for Cloud. 

Microsoft Learn also has other courses for IT professionals who are familiar with AWS and want to learn more about Azure, which can help IT candidates round out their resumes and skill sets as they set and achieve career goals. 

User-created guides to AWS

Consider user-created AWS guides such as the following: 

• The Open Guide to Amazon Web Services: The Open Guide to Amazon Web Services on GitHub is full of practical information, best practices and tips written by engineers who use AWS. This lengthy guide covers general AWS information, learning, career development, AWS management, and server and application management. The authors intend for the guide to be less of a tutorial and more of a reference encyclopedia for beginners and expert AWS users. 
• List of AWS resources on GitHub: Another good GitHub offering is a comprehensive list of AWS resources to help candidates prepare for AWS certifications.

Taking your AWS skills to the next level

As you navigate your career path in IT, you’ll find a vast amount of AWS information, training and certification prep material. Because so much is free, you can get a solid AWS foundation before parting with your hard-earned cash. And because Amazon offers a free AWS tier, be sure to pair your knowledge with actual hands-on experience. 

Combining what you’ve learned with continued practice allows you to demonstrate practical knowledge while zeroing in on areas you need to study more intensively. 

Jeremy Bender also contributed to this article.

LESSON 5: COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Understand all the things that must be considered when designing a compensation and benefits package.

LESSON 6: EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND SAFETY

Learn the ins and outs of complying with OSHA, protecting against workplace hazards, and investigating, recording, and preventing accidents and employee illnesses.

LESSON 7: THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT

Gain knowledge of employment law as well as an understanding of equal employment opportunity, avoiding discrimination, and what happens when an employee files an EEOC claim.

LESSON 8: MAKING HR DECISIONS

Learn how to make decisions based on various company growth strategies and how to use HRIS Software as well as job analysis as a tool for decision-making.

LESSON 9: AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

Learn the full spectrum of affirmative action, how to create an affirmative action plan, and information on the AAP you will need to know.

LESSON 10: DIVERSITY

Understand what diversity is and why it is a good thing in an organization as you learn to manage it and handle conflict.

LESSON 11: EMPLOYEE RIGHTS AND DISCIPLINE

Learn the laws that protect employee rights and privacy and how to properly monitor and document behavior and discipline employees.

LESSON 12: TERMINATION

Understand the alternatives to firing as well as how to prepare for termination including proper separation agreements as well as what to do in the event of wrongful discharge.

LESSON 13: INVESTIGATIONS

Learn why it is so important to investigate problems as well as the steps of an effective investigation including preparing, conducting, and wrapping it up.

LESSON 14: MANAGING LABOR RELATIONS

Get a quick overview of the history of unions as you learn how they work and why employees join them.

LESSON 15: CREATING A HIGH-PERFORMANCE WORKPLACE

Learn how to ask employees for input and act on it, delegate authority, keep communication open, and continuously ask for feedback as you strive to develop a high-performance workplace.

LESSON 16: GLOBAL HUMAN RESOURCES

Understand the basics of staffing strategy, cultural differences, HR in other countries, choosing global employees, and issues faced by expatriates.

LESSON 17: RETENTION

Learn the top reasons employees leave a company and how you can encourage them to stay as well as the importance of succession planning.

LESSON 18: MOTIVATION, REWARDS, AND RECOGNITION

Find out fun ways to motivate workers and gain nine strategies for creating a great rewards program.

LESSON 19: PREPARING FOR THE PHR EXAM

Gain information on externships and internships as you review the basics of the PHR test and begin to study.

What is course certification?

The purpose of the USATF course certification program is to produce road race courses of accurately measured distances.

For any road running performance to be accepted as a record or be nationally ranked, it must be run on a USATF-certified course. In addition, the certification program is very important to the average road racer, as well as those of exceptional speed. Most runners like to compare performances run on different courses, and such comparisons are difficult if course distances are not reliable. No one can truly establish a personal best if the course distance is not accurate.

Course Measurement and Certification Procedures

Expiration/Renewal Policy

Because courses degrade over time, the USATF Road Running Technical Council decided in 1992 that all certifications would expire automatically 10 years after the year of issue. Initially, expired courses could be renewed upon testimony that the course was still in use and had not been altered. Then, in 2000, RRTC decided that such testimony is not adequate to overcome the uncertainty that inevitably creeps into every course; therefore, all courses must simply expire after 10 years, without any possibility of renewal.

The non-renewable policy adopted in 2000 was phased in over a 10-year period. That period ended at the end of 2011. All courses that were renewed at any time have expired. Expired courses are no longer renewable, but they must be re-measured in order to be recertified.

Pegasystems today introduced Pega GenAI, a set of 20 generative artificial intelligence-powered boosters across Pega Infinity '23, the latest version of Pega's product suite.

A new application programming interface abstraction layer, called Connect Generative AI, will allow organizations to get immediate value from generative AI with a plug-and-play architecture that allows for low-code development of AI prompts. Pega's API abstraction layer lets developers swap out large language models running on both public and private clouds and build reusable generative AI components that can be leveraged across applications. Connect Generative AI will be able to automatically replace personally identifiable information data with placeholders in generative AI prompts, helping organizations enforce their data protection policies.

Pega will initially offer connectors to OpenAI's API and Microsoft Azure's OpenAI APIs and will be supplemented by additional downloadable connectors to other providers on Pega Marketplace.

The 20 new Pega GenAI boosters include the following:

Faster low-code application development in Pega Platform:

• AI-prompted workflows: When users type in the name and short description of the new application they want to build, Pega GenAI will provide relevant suggestions for workflows and build out their associated stages and steps.
• AI-generated personas: Pega GenAI will provide definitions for relevant users and personas associated with workflows, allowing low-code developers to route work appropriately and generate the relevant user interfaces.
• Automatic data modeling: Pega GenAI will provide suggestions for different types of data likely needed for an application and model it into the workflow and user interfaces.
• Back-end integration assistance:Pega GenAI will speed application integration by automatically understanding the target system's APIs and mapping the corresponding workflow data fields.
• Sample data generation: Users will be able to test and demo their applications using sample data automatically generated by Pega GenAI.

Enhanced customer engagement relevancy in Pega Customer Decision Hub:

• Treatment creation assistant:;Pega GenAI will help users produce treatments by providing text and image suggestions. Users can select from Cialdini's principles of persuasion to create variations in tone for the copy to appeal to different customers.
• Autonomously recommend higher-impact actions: Pega GenAI will present a list of opportunities to Boost the Next-Best-Action library along with automatically generated suggestions for how to make those improvements. Suggestions will come from analyzing underserved customers and identifying actions that don't have enough treatment variation for the AI to optimally work.
• Explainable AI analytics: Pega GenAI will provide visibility into how AI decisions are made by analyzing decisioning data and providing explanations of why certain actions would (or would not) be presented to a customer.
• Population targeting and validation: By automatically generating sample personas for different populations, Pega GenAI will help users test the logic in their engagement policies.

Improved customer service inPega Customer Service:

• Automatic interaction summaries: Pega GenAI will automatically summarize message transcripts between agents and customers. This will reduce the need for customer service agents to manually write notes and significantly Boost handle times in contact centers.
• Accelerated chatbot training: Pega GenAI will generate labeled training data for chatbots, anticipating likely utterances and phrases from customers.
• Customer interaction simulator: Organizations will be able to use Pega GenAI to role play with their customer service agents to train their staff, identify agents in need of additional training, find process bottlenecks, and evaluate staffing levels.
• Advanced chatbot response: Pega GenAI will assist a chatbot that can't identify a suitable answer on its own. For example, it could help the chatbot better understand the customer's intent so it can Boost its chances of a relevant response. Generative AI output can further train and enhance the natural language models to teach the chatbots how to respond to new inquiries.

More productivity in Pega Sales Automation:

• Email reply generator: Pega GenAI will scan incoming emails and offer suggested replies.
• Meeting summary generator: Salespeople can use Pega GenAI to generate sales meetings summaries and action items for meeting attendees by analyzing meeting transcripts from Pega Voice AI, Zoom, or WebEx.

Faster bot creation with Robot Studio:

• Script generation: Pega GenAI will automatically generate custom scripts that can be called directly from the automation surface.
• Test data generation: Robotics developers can automatically create input parameters for testing bot automations.

Enhanced knowledge management libraries in Pega Knowledge:

• Semantic search: Users will be able to ask Pega GenAI natural language questions and receive answers based on knowledge management articles.
• Generation of new answers: Knowledge management content authors will be able to use Pega GenAI to help create new, succinct articles based on summaries of existing content.

Easier access to robust operational insights:

• Automatic insight generation: Users will be able to generate reports via Pega GenAI by making requests such as, "Show me the sales figures for the Midwest region in Q2."

Pega's approach to generative AI incorporates auditing, rules-based governance, and workflow-managed human approval. Pega will allow all AI-generated text to be reviewed, edited, and approved by authorized staff.

"We've added a staggering number of powerful generative AI-powered boosters across Pega Infinity to help organizations quickly leverage the power of generative AI to work faster and more efficiently," said Kerim Akgonul, chief product officer of Pega, in a statement. "Our clients will have the flexibility and security to power our generative AI features and build their own using their large language models of choice. The Pega GenAI boosters released in Pega Infinity '23 are just the start. We plan to add new ones on a regular basis as we continue to evaluate new ways to responsibly and securely leverage generative AI and as new models come to market."

You should only bring your admission ticket and proper identification on the day of the test. The admission ticket can be printed out by accessing it on your Praxis account. Identification must include your full name as shown on your Praxis account, a current photo, and signature. Forms of acceptable identification include a passport, driver's license, state ID, or military ID. No personal items will be allowed in the testing center, including cell phones, snacks, watches, or purses. There is a space for you to put your things, but you will not be allowed to check on them, even during breaks.

This free program can be accessed through UW's WyoLearn platform which enables UW affiliates and the public to enroll in and complete the certification program. Enroll here today!

"The certification introduced me to the primary literature about scicomm in a very reflective way. I could think about how concepts fit my context."

~Certificate participant, completed bronze, silver, and gold levels

Click here to join the UW SciComm Slack community. Note that this is a moderated community and moderators are authorized to delete and mute posts as well as remove bad apples from the community. We assume you're joining to engage in generative ways in a community environment predicated on an abundance mindset (vs. scarcity-driven competition for ideas, resources, etc.). When you join the slack community, you will be prompted to post an introduction in the introductions channel within one week. Failure to do so will result in removal from the platform.

"The certification was easy to navigate. The syllabus materials really helped and the interface was used in an intuitive way."

~Certificate participant, completed bronze, silver, and gold levels

 

The following information is also provided on the certification enrollment page here.

This self-directed certification and badge program enables participants to complete a core certification in the best practices and science of science communication. Additional badge levels can be obtained by participants as they specialize in emphasis areas such as Sharing Science on Social Media, Designing and Implementing Outreach Programs, Assessing Science Communication Efforts, Science and the Media, and Art-Science Integration, Teaching as Science Communication, the Science of Science Communication, and more.

Participants interested in completing the entire Science Communication (SciComm) certification must complete the Program Core (25 pts) plus an additional 75 points in at least three areas of their choosing (i.e. badges). All participants must watch an information video about each area and complete a required initial activity before beginning additional activities in each area.

SciComm Certification: Core (18 pts + 7 pts) + 3 bronze badges (25 pts+ per badge) or equivalent points = 100 pts
Participants have up to three years to complete the SciComm Certification. 

"What would I tell my colleagues? Set aside time each week to work on this. And, set a sustainable, yet ambitious timeline to finish."

"Take as much time as you really need to reflect on the material and how it connects with your context."

"I feel like I have common language to connect with people, as well as the shared virtual experience of the certification."

Badges (aka certification levels)

Badges can also be earned within individual concentrations without completing the entire SciComm Certification, however, no badges will be issued without completion of the SciComm Program Core.

Bronze Badge = 25 pts

Silver Badge = 50 pts

Gold Badge = 75 pts

Platinum Badge = 100 pts

Points (or how to actually earn the badges and complete the certification)

Points are earned by completing required and optional activities associated with various trainings in the certification modules and/or by completing appropriate activities and reflections associated with optional, self-directed aspects of the certification structure. Participants will submit reflections and other types of work through WyoLearn, a publicly accessible system (no UWyo account required) which is otherwise nearly identical to WyoCourses in operation.

1 point is approximately 1 hour of time.

Retroactive points will be awarded for trainings and activities you have conducted in the past year, with a credit for work prior to that available by petition, on a case-by-case basis.

Syllabus

See the certification syllabus for more detailed information about the certification, what kinds of work and training activities 'count,' how to submit work for review/credit in the program, etc.

Drexel offers a number of education certification and degree programs that prepare students for formal teacher certification. Once a student has successfully completed their undegraduate course of study and all qualifying teacher certification exams required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Drexel recommends the student to the PDE for the appropriate teaching certificate.

Teaching Certification GPA Requirements

The School of Education requires that students maintain at least a "B" average (3.0 GPA) in content courses needed for teacher certification in addition to earning a grade of "B" or better in each core pedagogy course required for certification.

Pennsylvania Teacher Certification Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to obtain and submit updated and current copies of the required clearances to the School of Education annually in order to participate in classroom observations and student teaching in Pennsylvania. All full-time undergraduates will receive assistance in gaining these clearances during their first term. Non-PA students should contact their state's department of education or school district office for a list of clearances required in their state.

Teacher Certification Process

Instructional I Certification

This initial certification qualifies a teacher to teach for a maximum of six years. The six years need not be continuous. To continue teaching after the six years are completed, the teacher must receive an Instructional II Certification.

Instructional II Certification

The Instructional II Certification is considered a permanent certification. A teacher applying for Instructional II Certification must have:

• Instructional I Certification
• A minimum of three years and a maximum of six years of teaching experience on an Instructional I Teaching Certificate
• 24 semester-hour (or 36 quarter-hour) credits beyond a bachelor’ degree
• Completion of an induction program (generally provided by the teacher’ school of employment)

Elementary Certification (Grades PreK–4) and Special Education Certification (Grades PreK–8 and Grades 7–12)

The Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) are required for Grades PreK–4 and Special Education. All undergraduate and dual degree BS/MS students are required to pass the Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) basic skills exam. In addition, students will be required to take the appropriate assessment test for each area of certification they wish to obtain.

For more information about examinations and registration:

Middle Level Certification (Grades 4–8) and Secondary Certification (Grades 7–12)

All undergraduate and dual degree BS/MS students seeking certification in middle (grades 4–8) or secondary (grades 7–12) levels are required to pass exams from the PA Education Certification Tests (PECT) and the Praxis II Series. Students must pass both the Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) basic skills assessment test and the appropriate Praxis II Content Knowledge test for each area of certification they wish to obtain.

For more information about examinations and registration:

Pennsylvania Act 48 Requirements

To maintain Instructional I and Instructional II Certifications, the PDE requires a teacher to complete one of the following every five years:

• Six semester-hour (or nine quarter-hour) credits. Credits must be acquired from an accredited, four-year, degree-granting college or university.
• 180 hours of professional development
• A combination of credits and professional development hours every five years.

Note: For those working to acquire Instructional II Certification, the 24 semester credits or 36 quarter credits needed to apply for Instructional II may also count toward Act 48 requirements.

Download the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Frequently Asked Questions about Act 48 [PDF].