Cisco Networking Academy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Cisco Networking Academies, part of Cisco Systems, offer networking courses, like the CCNA and CCNP courses, which prepare students for the certification exams of the same name, and other computer-related courses. Also see History of virtual learning environments for how the Cisco Networking Academy Program has developed since 1997 relative to others within the VLE community.
Courses are available in approximately 10,000 local academies, in over 150 different countries.
As of 2004, there were approximately 500,000 active students (defined as students currently enrolled, students enrolled in a future course, and students who were enrolled in a course during the last five months).
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[edit] Background
In 1993, Cisco embarked on an initiative to design practical, cost-effective networks for schools. It quickly became apparent that designing and installing the networks was not enough, schools also needed some way to maintain the networks after they were up and running. Cisco Senior Consulting Engineer George Ward developed training for teachers and staff for maintenance of school networks. The students in particular were eager to learn and the demand was such that it led to the creation of the Cisco Networking Academy Program. Program History PDF
The Cisco Networking Academy Program, established in 1997, teaches students networking and other information technology-related skills, preparing them for jobs as well as for higher education in engineering, computer science and related fields. Since its launch, the program has grown to more than 10,000 Academies in 50 U.S. states and more than 150 countries with a curriculum taught in nine different languages. More than 400,000 students participate in Academies operating in high schools, colleges and universities, technical schools, community-based organizations, and other educational programs around the world. The Networking Academy program blends face-to-face teaching with web-based curriculum, hands-on lab exercises, and Internet-based assessment.
[edit] Networking courses
The Cisco Academies offer a variety of courses in networking, such as CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional), Wireless Networking and Network security, among others. The CCNA is offered in two models, disovery for new and younger learners and exploration for more advanced and experienced learners, each is divided into four courses. CCNP courses follow from the CCNA and is offered as four separate certificated courses.
[edit] Other courses offered
In addition to the networking courses mentioned above, other courses are offered which were created in association with other companies. Specifically, an association with HP resulted in a course in Hardware and Software, and a course in Network Operating Systems (basically, administration of network servers), whereas an association with Sun Microsystems resulted in a Java course and a UNIX course. An association with Panduit has led to a course in voice and data cabling (PNIE - Panduit Network Infrastructure Expert).
[edit] Teaching methodology
A regular semester has 18 weeks, with 4 hours per week. This refers to classes at the academy; the student is expected to read the course materials at home. Each student is given a username and password, to access the course materials and for the online exams. Although the exams are online, they are taken in the presence of a qualified instructor. The classes at the academy usually include a summary of important points, review of difficult topics and questions, and practice (for example, for the CCNA course, practice with specialized networking equipment, such as routers and network switches).
A cornerstone of the Networking Academy teaching methodology, is a focus on practical skills development. While assessment of theoretical content is measured with on-line assessment tools, students must pass a proctored practical skills test on prescribed laboratory equipment, before a passing grade may be awarded.
Development of a balanced theoretical knowledge and work-ready practical skills is monitored and assured through the Cisco Networking Academy Quality Assurance Program.
Since 2003 in Spain[1] and 2005 in the UK[2], the Networking Academy has formed partnerships with the respective Open Unversities of these countries to offer a blended 'at home' with a small proportion of 'in class' work.
[edit] Teaching Tools
With the Cisco academy expanding into many different nations, some without the infrastructure present in 'western nations' Cisco have worked with a business partner to create a remote access router system (Netlab+)[3] as well as collaborating with over 200 academies worldwide to test and aid the development of the Packet Tracer[4][5] application which offers learners and centres a free router/switch eduction tool.
These are available in addition to the in class practical labs for the Cisco courses.
[edit] Criticisms
The Cisco Networking Academy has been criticised for being too difficult and for failing students that would otherwise be substantial networkers by being overly obsessive over trivial networking knowledge, leading to a decline of networkers in developed countries.
Others would say that, the Academy Program is the best vehicle for measuring the skills and knowledge of would-be networkers, since it has now (i.e. as at December 2007) delivered over 5 million exams with a variety of sophisticated cross-correlations of results. This sort of analysis over such a huge population sample, provides a powerful mechanism for validating assessment items and tools.
The failure rates of the Cisco Academies at the high school level is significant. While schools spend $18-$20K each year to keep their programs current with Cisco standards, (in addition to the money spent on instructor training), very few students complete the program or sit for the Cisco exam. The students that are successful are typically university bound, and not the only audience career and technical education monies are intended to be spent on. Some states have completely closed their high school Cisco Academies.
[edit] References
- ^ The University of Catalonia. University of Catalonia. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
- ^ The Open University (UK). The Open University (UK). Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
- ^ NDG. NDG. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
- ^ Packet Tracer Collaboration Portal. Cisco Systems. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
- ^ Example of collaborative site. Andrew Smith. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
