Q: What are the different types of Academies and their responsibilities
in the IT Essentials Academy Program?
A: There are three types of Academies: Local Academies,
Regional Academies, and Cisco Academy Training Centers (CATCs).
Local Academies teach the curriculum to students.
These are usually high schools/secondary schools and colleges, but
can also be other agencies with education programs.
Regional Academies are usually colleges, but may also be high
schools/secondary schools, education service centers and other
agencies with education programs. Regional Academy instructors
train and mentor Local Academy instructors in the operation
of the program and the teaching of the curriculum.
CATCs are Cisco-selected Regional Academies that train instructors
from other Regional Academies. CATC instructors get their training
directly from Cisco.
CATCs and Regional Academies can also be Local Academies if
they teach the curriculum to students.
Q: What is the general IT Essentials courses description?
A: IT Essentials I: PC Hardware and Software
This course introduces students to information technology and
data communications. Students will develop the necessary skills
to enter this field by building a computer, installing the operating
system, adding peripherals, connecting the computer to a local
area network and to the Internet. This is a hands-on, lab-oriented
course that stresses laboratory safety and working effectively
in a group environment.
IT Essentials II: Network Operating Systems
This course is an intensive introduction to multi-user, multi-tasking
networking operating systems. Characteristics of the Linux,
Windows 2000, NT and XP network operating systems will be
discussed. Students will explore a variety of topics including
installation procedures, security issues, back up procedures
and remote access.
Q: How many hours of instruction does the online curriculum
include?
A: The curriculum contains two 70-hour blocks of study. About
half of this time is spent using the instructor-facilitated
online multimedia material and the rest is spent on lab exercises.
Q: How is the online curriculum provided to the students?
A: The online portion of the curriculum resides on a Web server
at each Academy. Students access the curriculum from their
workstations over the classroom LAN. Students will also have
access to view the curriculum during non-classroom time.
Q: Are there any prerequisites for enrolling students or
for instructors?
A: The curriculum assumes no prior knowledge of computers
or networks on the part of the students. An eighth grade reading,
writing and math proficiency is expected.
Local Academy instructors will find it helpful to have basic
computer literacy and a general knowledge of the computer
operating systems (OS), but these are not absolutely necessary.
Regional Academy and CATC instructors should not only possess
basic computer and OS literacy, but would also find it helpful
to have some knowledge of the Service Technician and Operating
Technology Learning Objectives that CompTIA's A+ certification
is based upon.
Q: What are students working towards?
A. The IT Essentials I: PC Hardware and Software course is
an introduction to the basics of computer hardware and NOS
technologies. At the end of this course students should possess
the academic information and experience necessary to pass
CompTIA's A+ certification. This certification is to test
the student's knowledge of learning objectives for a career
as a Computer Repair Technician.
The IT Essentials II: Network Operating Systems course serves
as an introduction to basic networking and network operating
systems. It is an excellent pre-cursor to CCNA.
Q: Is the IT Essentials curriculum available outside the
United States and any other languages?
A: The IT curriculum is available in selected international
locations and in English.
Q: What kinds of controls are there on course materials?
A: The curriculum is copyrighted. Access to the curriculum should
be provided only to students enrolled in Networking Academy
classes and the personnel within the institution offering the
program.
Q: What type of hardware is needed to teach the IT courses?
A: The hands-on lab portion of the courses requires specific
computer configurations and peripheral equipment. It is recommended
that all equipment, whether new or used, be from the same vendor.
This will allow for a better student and instructor experience.
Q: How much will the equipment cost?
A: If an Academy is using existing machines and there are no
compatibility issues, then the cost may be nothing. Due to compatibility
problems, Academies may need to purchase new PCs or workstations.
Hewlett-Packard is offering equipment discounts to the Cisco
Networking Academy Program.
Q: How are Academy instructors trained?
A: Local Academies are trained by Regional Academies, Regional
Academies are trained by CATCs and CATCs are trained by Cisco.
Q: Where is the training for Academy instructors held?
A: Training is typically conducted at Regional Academies and
CATC training sites.
Q: How long is the UNIX instructor training?
A: IT Essentials I: PC Hardware and Software training is 5 days
and the IT Essentials II: Network Operating Systems training
is also 5 days.
Q: What is the name of the certification that students earn
after completing the IT Essentials courses?
A: CompTIA's
A+ Certification, which is comprised of two exams: Service Technician
Core exam and OS Technologies exam. Students must pass both
of these exams before receiving their A+ certification.
Q: Are students assessed as they progress through the curriculum?
A: Yes. Cisco has developed a state-of-the-art assessment system
to provide students, instructors, administrators, and Cisco
personnel with detailed data on student progress. Cisco uses
the assessment data to apply continuous improvement practices
to the program and curriculum.
Q: What sort of commitments do Academies make
when they sign up for the program?
A: CATCs and Regional Academies sign contracts that list their
commitments as well as Cisco’s commitments to them. The Regional
Academy contract is available from AAMs or MDMs. The CATC contract
is provided only to certain Cisco-selected CATC candidates.
The relationship between Regional Academies and Local Academies
is owned by the Regional Academy, which may or may not ask its
Local Academies to sign a contract.
Q: What is the process of starting an Academy?
A: A school can begin the process of starting an Academy by
filling out the Cisco Networking Academy Program online
application.
Q: Where are the various Networking Academies located at?
A: For a complete list of Academies see the Academy
Locator.
Q: Are for-profit training centers eligible for
participation in the Program?
A: Yes, Cisco has created a special program to work with proprietary
institutions known as the Accredited Career College Program.
For details refer to the Accredited Career College FAQs.
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