Persevering and Performing, First MOS Associate, and Breakout Star

The third month of 2026 saw three milestones for IS101-3003/5. The first is planned. The second is a pleasant early surprise. The third excites me as I see the formation of a breakout star.

Since my February post, twenty-seven students followed Viviana, Kevin, Zakiyyah, and Josias in qualifying, taking, and passing the MO-110 Word certification exam. This milestone also marks the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 (see my January post for the phases). Thus far, many students are persevering and performing well in Chapter 5 Microsoft Excel :-)

JD and Nicholas earned a perfect score on MO-110 while Kevin, Josias, Chae, and Scott earned a near-perfect score.

Ten students challenged Bonus Quiz 7 – TCP/IP, One Big Thing, and Generic Top-Level Domains. Kevin and JD earned a perfect score while Ivette and Zakiyyah earned a near-perfect score.

Nine students challenged Bonus Quiz 8 – Domain Name Registration, ccTLD Hack, and URL Parts. Kevin earned a perfect score while Ivette earned a near-perfect score.

Most students have sent in their A4 Using Table to Align and Format a Design. My favorite design came from Jay-R.

I gave three lectures/demonstrations while six students joined their nineteen classmates in sharing and showcasing their interests, homeland, and passion via A5 Slideshow Presentation. Having already  delivered his A5 as one of first presenters, Kevin delivered his A8 Improved Slideshow Presentation, Homeless: Broke but Breathing. I didn't think he could improve upon his earlier slideshow. I am elated that I am wrong.

The final milestone for IS101 is the completion of all coursework, including passing all three Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Associate certifications: MO-110 Word, MO-210 Excel, and MO-310 PowerPoint. Kevin accomplished this on the final day of Spring Recess. I am so proud of him!

Upon returning from Spring Recess, I informed Kevin that he has earned enough points for the highest letter grade, without any bonus credit he has earned and is continuing earning. I was elated and proud to hear the Obsessed Hedgehog has no intention of disappearing until he finishes everything on his IS101 list.

Typically, a student reaches this state toward the end of a 16-week semester, Kevin not only reached this state with the first 8 weeks and Spring Recess, but did so with a level of professionalism and stellar performance that easily stood out from my 27 years of teaching part-time in higher education.

Not only has Kevin thoroughly analyzed and submitted bonus quizzes thus far ahead of schedule, the self-proclaimed neurotic hedgehog always produced polished results the match those from a business office instead of a college student.

The stubborn (his self-description) hedgehog impressed me with his solid performances on the two capstone assignments, A6 Spreadsheet Analysis with Trailer and A7 Mail Merge. I cannot remember the last time I modified the substance of my capstone assignments and very few students manage to fully and correctly satisfy all requirements on their first attempt. Kevin managed to join a tiny and exclusive club that did.

I am not sure which contributed more to Kevin's early completion and stellar performance in IS101-3003/5, Spring 2026: (a) his successful matriculation through a nursing degree, (b) his employer's need for an accountant instead of a registered nurse, (c) his own drive to succeed; but I am sure that Kevin Michael will earn his accounting degree with flying colors.

Earlier in the classroom today, 3/28/2026, Kevin took and passed the MO-111 Word Expert certification exam. This milestone is beyond the scope of IS101 but signaled the hedgehog wants to charge ahead complete the list. I look forward to see Mr. Michael completing (i) the rest of my signature bonus quizzes, (ii) A9 Query Options and IF Statement and A10 Workbook Investigation from my set of results-based assignments, and (iii) hitting a MOS Homerun ^_^

Focusing back to the other students, Zakiyyah, Jay-R, and Ivette submitted their A6 Spreadsheet Analysis with Trailer ahead of schedule.

In less than a week is the deadline (4/3/2026, 11:59 pm) for students to withdraw from a course or to change a course from "for grade" to "audit". If a student is considering doing either to protect his/her grade point average, then the student should still check with his/her funding source(s) (e.g. financial aid program, scholarship, employer re-imbursement, GI Bill, parents) for consequences of not receive college credit for withdrawing or auditing a course. 

Click on the image for a larger/clearer view

I look forward to see more students continuing to persevering and performing in Chapter 5 Microsoft Excel, bonus quizzes, and A6 Spreadsheet Analysis with Trailer; perhaps even joining Kevin!

Here are the slideshows, milestones, and happenings in March (click on an image for a larger view):