The FOA Broadband Program
Understanding Broadband, what we call high speed Internet access today, has become a necessity for everyone- one FOA instructor at a college called it a "core competency.". In less than half a century, communications on a backbone of fiber optics has revolutionized communications and, in many ways, society in general. How does Broadband work? This course will explain not only how broadband works, but how it was developed and how it is integrated into our world today.
The FOA Broadband program is available as an online self-study program on Fiber U or as a classroom course which can be taught as a seminar for workforce development programs or as a course in degree programs appropriate for engineering, science. management or business students at the university, technical college or technical high school level. It can be a module within a course, e.g. telecommunications, or a standalone course. Think of this course at the college level as an elective course which should be taken by scientists, engineers or business majors to understand Broadband which they will encounter in their future jobs.
FOA is best known as the certifying body for the 110,000+ FOA-certified fiber optic technicians, CFOTs, who design and build the worldwide fiber optic communications networks that make broadband possible. FOA is also known for its extensive knowledge base in fiber optics - online references, printed textbooks, YouTube videos and the free Fiber U online learning site. Now FOA offers Certifications, Microcredentials and Certificates of Completion for all those involved or interested in fiber optic communications.
FOA offers the FOA Microcredential in Broadband. This microcredential recognizes knowledge in the technologies that make broadband possible.
Broadband, what we today call high speed Internet access, has become a necessity for everyone. In less than half a century, communications on a backbone of fiber optics has revolutionized communications and, in many ways, society in general. The technologies that make broadband possible are the Internet and fiber optics, connecting the continents, cities, buildings, homes and just about everybody worldwide.
Broadband has become a core competency and not just for technical workers. Everyone works with communications today; broadband has become a necessity for daily life. Engineers, scientists, government officials and business management need to understand broadband communications to do their job well.
The FOA Broadband microcredential is aimed at all those involved in planning, managing, designing or building broadband networks. It covers all the technologies that make broadband possible - the Internet and data centers. telecommunications (wireline and wireless), satellites, CATV Internet, and the technologies like fiber optics that make all those networks work.
How does Broadband work? The FOA Broadband course covers not only how broadband works, but how it was developed and how it is integrated into our world today. The FOA Broadband course is intended to be an introduction to broadband communications technology appropriate for engineering, science or management students at the university, technical college or technical high school level. It can be a module within a course or a standalone course. Courses can include case studies.
To help schools and instructors create a program about Broadband, FOA has created a textbook, free online learning course at Fiber U and curriculum for a classroom/seminar course on broadband. This is not a highly technical course; it is at a level where non technical students can understand it and technical students can learn enough to prepare for more technical courses.
Who Should Take This Course?
As a course or elective in a degree program:
- Students in sciences who will work in IT, communications, or basic research
- Students in engineering who will design and build IT, broadband or other communications projects
- Students in management who plan or manage projects involving broadband communications
For workforce development:
- Fiber optic technicians
- Technical personnel in IT, communications, data and AI
- Engineers involved in designing and building broadband projects
- Management personnel in business and government involved with planning and building broadband projects
Learning Objectives
- What is “Broadband”?
- The communications services that make Broadband possible
- How those services evolved to support Broadband
- How those services work together to create Broadband
- Other than Broadband what these services support (wireless networks, streaming video, smart cities, smart grid, intelligent traffic systems, etc.)
- What is needed to offer Broadband services or run companies delivering them?
Course Outline
- Introduction To Broadband
- Fiber Broadband Jargon
- Networks And Communications Technology
- Fiber Optic Telecommunications
- Fiber Optics For Wireless Networks
- Fiber To The Home
- Data Communications Networks
- The Internet And Data Centers
- Fiber Makes It Smart
- Building Fiber Broadband Networks
Curriculum Materials Available From FOA
- Textbook (https://foa.org/FOArgfiberbroadband.html)
- Online references at FOA Guide (https://foa.org/fiberbroadband/Index.html)
- Online free self-study program for blended learning at FiberU.org (https://fiberu.org/#DAS)
- Instructor curriculum package (Instructor Guide, PPT presentations, supplemental materials, suggested assignments and case studies)
- Online testing for microcredential
- FOA Microcredential in Broadband
- Instructor can assign discussions and case studies suggested in the Instructor’s Guide
Online Study
- Fiber U Self-study Course (https://fiberu.org/#DAS) includes lesson quizzes
- Internet searches for case studies
- Lessons may be on school LMS linked to FOA reference materials and online tests
Student Evaluation
- Lessons in textbook and online at Fiber U include quizzes for each lesson
- Final online exam for FOA Broadband microcredential automatically returns graded exam to instructor and/or school
The FOA Broadband microcredential is available for those completing the FOA Broadband course successfully.
What is a "Microcredential"?
Microcredentials are a twenty-first century innovation of the high tech industry, digital credentials created to recognize achievements in technical fields, compatible with the online platforms users depend on for communication today, like LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. A badge may be achieved by demonstrating knowledge, expertise and experience and is evidence the badge holder may use to show their achievements.
Microcredentials are the way professionals convey their verified knowledge, expertise and professionalism to their employers, colleagues and others they work with.
Digital Microcredentials offer tremendous value to the earner. Employers, coworkers, customers, essentially everyone the earner interacts with in their work, can easily validate the earner's credentials with a single click. Microcredentials let the earner stand out from those who do not have similar verified knowledge, experience and achievements. Microcredentials simplify sharing credentials on the platforms which are widely used in business.
Take The Free FOA Broadband Self-Study Course on Fiber U and get a Fiber U Certificate of Completion: Fiber U Broadband online self-study program.
Achieving The FOA Microcredential In Fiber Optics
At a FOA School: Candidates must complete a FOA Broadband
course at a participating trainer or educational institution
Individuals: Complete the free Fiber U Broadband online self-study program.The self-study course, application and testing fee for the FOA Badge In Broadband is $50, paid by credit card or PayPal when taking the test.
Ready to earn your FOA Microcredential in Broadband? Sign up for a course or go to the FOA Fiber U Microcredential In Broadband self-study course.Individuals who have studied for the FOA Microcredential in Broadband can pay the fee and take the online test here.
About The FOA
The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. (FOA, www.foa.org) is the international nonprofit professional association of fiber optics and recognized certifying body for technicians in the field. FOA was founded in 1995 by prominent fiber optics trainers and industry personnel to create the workforce needed to build the internet. Its charter was (and is) to promote professionalism in fiber optics through education, certification and standards. Today FOA is the principal source of technical information, training curriculum and certifications for the fiber optic industry. FOA is an international recognized certifying body and has certified over 110,000 techs working in the industry worldwide.
Interested In FOA Certification?
fiber optic techs have been certified by The FOA worldwide!
Experienced fiber optic technicians may apply for FOA Certification through FOA's Direct Certification Program
- Those just getting started in fiber optics should find an FOA-Approved school
Disclaimer:
Any Microcredential granted by The FOA does not constitute licensure to practice or provide services when required by any relevant law. The FOA Microcredential does not in any way imply that The FOA assumes responsibility or liability for any badge holder's actions, and Microcredential holders indemnify The FOA from any liability resulting from their actions.
Changes:
- The
FOA reserves the right to make changes to the Microcredential programs without notice.