Opportunity
The Internet is changing life as we know it—bringing new economic and social opportunities to communities throughout the world, and increasing the global demand for information and communication technology (ICT) skills. Innovations such as social networking, cloud computing, e-commerce, web conferencing, and desktop virtualization are changing the way we live, work, play, and learn. These capabilities are all powered by networks, and organizations around the world are experiencing a shortage of qualified ICT candidates to design, install, and manage these networks.
Solution
The Cisco® CCNA® Discovery curriculum provides the experience
needed to help meet the growing demand for ICT professionals.
CCNA Discovery provides general networking theory, practical experience, and
opportunities for career exploration and soft-skills development. The curriculum
emphasizes critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and the practical
application of skills in a real world environment. All courses include embedded,
highly interactive e-doing activities that stimulate learning and improve
knowledge retention, hands-on labs, simulation-based learning activities, and
online assessments. CCNA Discovery helps prepare students for entry-level career
opportunities, continuing education, and globally-recognized Cisco
certifications. In addition, the courses help provide learning pathways from
secondary to postsecondary institutions.
Features
CCNA Discovery teaches networking based on application, covering networking concepts within the context of network environments students may encounter in their daily lives—from small office and home office (SOHO) networking to more complex enterprise and theoretical networking models later in the curriculum. CCNA Discovery includes the following features:
• Students learn the basics of routing, switching, and advanced technologies to prepare for Cisco CCENT and CCNA certifications and entry-level networking careers
• Courses emphasize critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration,
and the practical application of skills• Rich multimedia content, including Flash-based interactive activities, videos, games, and quizzes, addresses a variety of learning styles and help stimulate learning and increase knowledge retention
• Hands-on labs and Packet Tracer simulation-based learning activities help students develop critical thinking and complex problem solving skills
• Innovative assessments provide immediate feedback to support the evaluation of knowledge and acquired skills
• Networking concepts are explained using language that works well for learners at all levels and embedded interactive activities break up reading of the content and help reinforce understanding
• Case studies provide critical and strategic thinking scenarios to help students develop soft skills such as analyzing business objectives, planning timelines and resources, and delivering customer presentations
21st Century Skills
CCNA Discovery integrates practical skills into the technical curriculum to create a learning experience for success in future educational, entrepreneurial, and occupational endeavors. In addition to learning the fundamentals of designing, building, and operating networks, students also develop problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, teamwork, negotiation, and entrepreneurship - skills which can help them succeed in the 21st century global workplace.
Assessments
Innovative formative and summative assessments are integrated
into the CCNA Discovery curriculum and supported by an advanced online delivery
system. Immediate, rich feedback supports
instructor and student evaluation of acquired knowledge and skills. Assessments
can be as simple as a multiple choice question or as complex as troubleshooting
a simulated network. Packet Tracer Packet Tracer is a powerful network simulation
program developed
by Networking Academy that allows students to experiment with network behavior
and ask “what if” questions. As an integral part of the CCNA Discovery
curriculum, Packet Tracer provides simulation, visualization, authoring,
assessment, and collaboration capabilities and makes teaching and learning
complex technology
concepts easier. Packet Tracer supplements physical equipment by allowing
students to create a network with an almost unlimited number of devices,
encouraging open practice, discovery, and troubleshooting.
The simulation-based learning environment helps students develop 21st century
skills such as decision making, creative and critical thinking and problem
solving. Packet Tracer simulation activities are embedded in all CCNA Discovery
courses.
Packet Tracer
Packet Tracer is a powerful network simulation program developed by Networking Academy that allows students to experiment with network behavior and ask “what if” questions. As an integral part of the CCNA Discovery curriculum, Packet Tracer provides simulation, visualization, authoring, assessment, and collaboration capabilities and makes teaching and learning complex technology concepts easier. Packet Tracer supplements physical equipment by allowing students to create a network with an almost unlimited number of devices, encouraging open practice, discovery, and troubleshooting. The simulation-based learning environment helps students develop 21st century skills such as decision making, creative and critical thinking and problem solving. Packet Tracer simulation activities are embedded in all CCNA Discovery courses.
E-doing
E-doing is a design philosophy that applies the
principle that people learn best by doing. CCNA Discovery includes embedded,
highly interactive e-doing activities to help stimulate learning and increase
knowledge retention. Rich multimedia content, including Flash-based interactive
activities, videos, games, and quizzes, address a variety of learning styles and
make the whole learning experience much richer - and that makes understanding
the content much easier.
Student Focus
CCNA Discovery is designed for students with
basic PC skills and foundational math and problem solving skills. Students are
not expected to have knowledge of binary math and algorithms. The curriculum
provides detailed explanations and tools such as a binary calculator The
curriculum offers an engaging learning experience for more visual and kinetic
learners. Many interactive activities are embedded
in all of the courses to break up the text and help reinforce student
comprehension. In addition, a large number of labs encourage additional hands-on
practice. Students progress from structured, easy-to-follow labs with detailed
instructions to help students develop and practice their understanding, to more
challenging tasks that build critical thinking and problem solving skills.
CCNA Discovery provides a pathway to success for students who plan to pursue
higher education or begin their careers. The curriculum encourages students to
consider additional IT education, but also emphasizes applied skills and
hands-on experience early in the curriculum.
• Designed to make IT relevant and applicable to a student’s daily life
• Prepares students for entry-level IT careers as early as the first two courses
Course Description
CCNA Discovery teaches networking based on application, covering concepts based on the types of practical networks students may encounter from home and small offices, to more complex enterprise models. The curriculum consists of four courses:
• Networking for Home and Small Businesses
• Working at a Small-to-Medium Business or ISP
• Introducing Routing and Switching in the Enterprise
• Designing and Supporting Computer Networks The courses are delivered sequentially, and each course is a prerequisite for the next course.
Course Flow
The curriculum begins with an exploration of networks found in small office or home office (SOHO) environments, and then proceeds to medium and larger network topologies with higher levels of complexity.
The first course uses a SOHO network to introduce some basic networking concepts such as cabling, addressing, wireless, and security. It also teaches students how to plan, deploy, and troubleshoot a small network.
The second and third courses use the small and medium business and enterprise sized networks to take concepts such as IP addressing, switching, routing, WAN technologies, and security to the next level.
As the complexity and size of the network grows, associated concepts such as advanced routing protocols, enterprise switching, and network performance are introduced.
The fourth course consolidates many of the concepts and introduces elements of network design, equipment selection and configuration, and LAN and WAN addressing. An integrated case study presents critical thinking scenarios to help students develop skills such as analyzing business objectives, determining technical requirements and constraints, planning timelines and resources, and preparing and delivering customer presentations.
Each course includes a troubleshooting chapter, and advanced technologies (voice, video, wireless, and security) are introduced throughout the curriculum.
Learning Environment
CCNA Discovery can be delivered as an independent curriculum or integrated into a broader course of study, such as technology or continuing education programs. The curriculum is appropriate for students at many education levels and types of institutions, including high schools, secondary schools, universities, colleges, career and technical schools, community organizations, and other non-traditional learning environments.
Industry Recognized Certification
Students learn the basics of routing, switching, and advanced technologies to help them prepare for the Cisco CCENT™ certification for entry network technicians and the industry-standard CCNA certification. CCENT and CCNA certifications are highly valued in the global networking industry and provide validation of the skills and knowledge required for entry-level networking careers.
After completing the first two courses of CCNA Discovery, a student can choose to complete the CCENT certification exam, an optional first step toward earning the CCNA certification. CCENT certifies that students have developed the practical skills required for entry-level networking support positions. In addition, this certification is designed to assess a student’s aptitude and competence for working with Cisco routers, switches and IOS.Students who complete all four CCNA Discovery courses will be prepared for the CCNA certification exam.
Careers
The curriculum also helps students develop networking skills and knowledge that extend beyond the minimum requirements for the CCNA certification. CCNA Discovery emphasizes practical experience to help prepare students for entry-level networking and IT careers such as the following:• Network administrator
• Network engineer
• Network installer
• Network technician
• Help desk technician
Students will be prepared to pursue IT and networking careers in a variety of industries such as healthcare, financial services, fashion, entertainment, and more. Today nearly every company in every industry relies on IT, so the skills learned in CCNA Discovery can provide a powerful foundation for a career in almost any field a student may choose to pursue.
Skills and Competencies
Here are some examples of the skills students will be able to perform after completing each course:
Cisco Networking Academy
In partnership with schools and organizations around the world, the Cisco Networking Academy® program delivers a comprehensive learning experience to help students develop information and communication technology (ICT) skills for entry-level career opportunities, continuing education, and globally-recognized career certifications. The curricula also help students build 21st century skills such as collaboration and problem solving by encouraging practical application of knowledge through hands-on activities and network simulations. Networking Academy teaches ICT skills to students from virtually every socioeconomic background and region of the world. Students gain the skills needed to pursue networking careers in a variety of industries such as healthcare, technology, financial services, fashion, entertainment, and more. Students also gain access to a global support group, career developments tools, and social networking resources to help them become architects of the human network.
For More Information
Cisco Networking Academy www.cisco.com/go/netacad
Course Catalog www.cisco.com/go/netacadcourses
Locate an academy www.cisco.com/go/academylocator
Certifications www.cisco.com/go/certifications