The Cisco Networking Academy Program has trained men and women around the world to design, build and maintain networks that power the global information economy. In 2002, the Cisco Networking Academy Curriculum Development Team adopted a new strategy for testing curriculum.
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Jonathan Perrone and Garret Zuppiger from Greenway High School crimp 8P8C caps to Cat 5e cables. |
In the past, developers tested new curriculum with focus
groups of Academy instructors, who reviewed course material
to check facts and provide feedback. For the Academy's two
newest courses, an additional focus group of high school students
was added to the process. Students from Greenway High School
in Phoenix, AZ reviewed the Fundamentals of Voice and Data
Cabling created in partnership with Panduit Corporation, and
the Fundamentals of Java Programming sponsored by Sun Microsystems.
"We realized that high school focus groups were absolutely
essential because one of our target audiences is high school
students," said Matthias Giessler, Curriculum Development
Manager. "Are the labs clear and concise? Can a novice follow
the instructions? We needed the students to truly test these
questions."
Fundamentals of Voice and Data Cabling
The Fundamentals of Voice and Data Cabling course provides
hands-on training to install and troubleshoot network cabling
for voice and data. The best routers, switches, and hubs won't
be able to deliver their critical messages if the cabling
does not meet standards. This course gives students added
skills to recognize and resolve cabling problems to make networks
more fault-proof.
The students went through the labs step-by-step using the lab wall while curriculum developers observed their progress and noted areas for improvement. At the completion of each lab, students discussed the value of the lab and offered ideas for improvement.
"I thought the labs were really great," said Jesse Kaltenberg, a student tester. "The hands on exercises really made it a lot more interesting. It kept you interested, and it was a really good experience."
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Peter Edwards terminates the Panduit TX-Mini Jack.
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Real Results
In both focus groups, developers discovered the importance
of assigning appropriate chapters prior to lab work. The lab
instructions in the cabling course, for example, on cross-connecting
the punch down patch panel to the 110 punch block were difficult
for the students to understand because the terms used were
only explained in a chapter that students did not have the
opportunity to read beforehand. With this feedback, the developers
clarified the instructions in this and other labs.
The high school focus group also identified the need to include
more detailed explanations and graphics on using equipment.
Unlike Academy instructors who are familiar with cabling equipment,
the focus group students are new to cabling technology. Thus
students did not know the functions of cable testers, how
to use them, or how to interpret the results of the readouts.
The labs were also timed so that developers could give instructors
a better sense of the time needed to complete each lab. This
information is provided to instructors to help them schedule
lab time during class.
The Cabling Wall
A key component of the new Fundamentals of Voice and Data
Cabling course includes a hands-on cabling wall featuring
products from Panduit including connectors, outlets, cable
management devices, surface raceways, cable ties and labeling
products. The wall itself passed the test as an essential
component to the training.
According to another student tester, Garret Zuppinger, "I
learned a lot about the cables. I learned what the different
kinds of cables are used for: 3 pairs, 5 pairs and 25 pairs.
I got to look at fiber and I had never seen fiber until the
lab."
Fundamentals of Java Programming
The Fundamentals of Java Programming Language course provides
a conceptual understanding of object-oriented programming
and teaches use of JavaTM language's object-oriented technologies
to solve business problems. Students learn how to create classes,
objects and applications using the language. Additional topics
include language fundamentals and the JavaTM language API
(application programming interface). The course will help
prepare students to take the exam for the Sun Certified Programmer
for Java 2 Platform.
"I think the flow of the labs was great," commented
Brian Kozan. "It started out with easier things and moved
to harder concepts. As you moved on, you had to use concepts
you learned in earlier labs."
Students worked step-by-step through over 60% of the labs,
learning the basics of Java programming. They found the
file directory structure difficult to use and recommended
that the developers improve instructions for finding and saving
files. Developers incorporated these suggestions into the
final curriculum.
"If I could change one thing about the Java curriculum,
I'd put more pictures into it - make it a little bit more
visual," said student tester Peter Edwards. "But
besides that, I think it accomplishes its goal."
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Prema Rayappa of the Curriculum Development Team assists Stephen Davis
from Greenway High School with a Java lab.
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Focus Group Prove Beneficial
Both the developers and the students valued the focus group
opportunities. Developers made changes to sequences, lab timing,
and added visuals to the courses. Students felt that they
had learned useful skills.
"The general consensus was that the labs were valuable,"
said Giessler. "For the most part, the steps were clear
and in proper sequence. The material was appropriate for a
novice cable installer. The students felt confident that if
they had completed the course, and not just the labs, they
would be able to cable a network."
"Overall, the cabling labs were a very good tool for
anybody who wants to get into the networking or cabling industry,"
said Jonathan Perrone. "It prepares you to do it and
to go a little above and beyond that. It's a great introduction
and with the final touches put on the lessons, it should be
a perfect program for anybody who is looking to get into the
field."
"If Greenway High School offered the Java program, I
would definitely take the course," said Brian Kozan.
Availability of Courses
The Fundamentals of Voice and Data Cabling course will be
available in selected Cisco Networking Academies in July 2002.
The Fundamentals of Java Programming instructor training
begins in May 2002, and the course will be made available
to Academies in the July 2002.
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