Chapter 1: Welcome to the Cisco Networking Academy

This chapter will discuss:

 The origins of Cisco Networking Academy

 The features of our global educational community

 The Networking Academy partners

 The roles within a Cisco Networking Academy and membership requirements

1.1 What is a Networking Academy?

The Cisco Networking Academy Story

Cisco Networking Academy was established in response to a growing need for skilled network administrators
within schools. A small group of inspired educators and Cisco engineers envisioned an educational program that
would deliver networking skills training to students. These students could then assist in designing, building, and
maintaining school computer networks, while acquiring skills that could lead to industry certification and future job
opportunities. Business leaders at Cisco supported the fledgling program, resulting in the development of the
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) curriculum. Plans for offering additional courses gained support and
momentum, leading to the creation of IT Essentials, CCNA Security, and the Cisco Certified Network
Professional (CCNP) curricula. This idea of training students to support school networks evolved into the Cisco
Networking Academy. The Networking Academy program provides students with essential computer, networking,
and troubleshooting skills for increased competitiveness in a global economy.

In 1997, the Cisco Networking Academy was launched at 64 educational institutions in seven U.S. states.
Networking Academy courses are now offered in multiple languages and delivered to over one million students
annually in more than 170 countries, including many emerging markets. Since inception, over 6.9 million students
have enrolled in Networking Academy courses that are offered by more than 9,500 academies in high schools,
technical schools, colleges, universities, and community-based organizations around the world.

1.1.1.2 Global Educational Community

Cisco Networking Academy is a global educational community based on partnerships between Cisco,
educational institutions, businesses, governments, non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, and
Information Communication Technology (ICT) experts around the world. The program prepares students for
higher education in computer science and engineering, as well as for networking, information, and computer
technology-related jobs in the public and private sectors. It creates a qualified talent pool that can design, build,
and maintain network infrastructures.

Cisco Networking Academy delivers courses based on the types of work environments a student may encounter.
These courses include interactive learning tools that use technology to provide guidance and opportunities for
exploration and experimentation.

We believe the Internet has the power to enable anytime, anywhere learning for all students, regardless of
location, socioeconomic status, gender, or race. Cisco Networking Academy supports this vision by helping
people around the world gain the skills needed to participate in the global economy.

After more than 20 years of success, the Cisco Networking Academy continues to strengthen its impact within
our global community with a renewed focus on connecting Networking Academy students with ICT jobs.
1.1.1.3 Networking Academy Partners

The Networking Academy support and training model is intended to ensure operational effectiveness and
sustainability; consistent academic excellence; and student success.

Academy Support Centers (ASCs) are leading academies within the program. ASCs provide academies with
guidance and ongoing support. ASC services include, but are not limited to, the following:

 Onboarding support for academies

 Localized communications

 Assistance with use of netacad.com

 Assistance with the Membership Agreement process

 Assistance locating services, information, and tools

Instructor Training Centers (ITCs) provide initial instructor training and qualify instructors to teach courses. ITCs
also deliver the following services:

 Instructor professional development opportunities

 Technical support for a Networking Academy instructor for one year after successful completion of
instructor training

1.1.1.4. The Roles within a Networking Academy

The primary responsibility of academies is to teach students networking and ICT principles and skills through the
use of Networking Academy curricula and tools. To accomplish this, academies provide students with certified
instructors and access to classroom and lab facilities. The structured roles and the distribution of responsibilities
for academies are as follows:

Networking Academy Instructor

 Set up and manage classes

 Teach classes

 Manage the online grade book before, during, and after a class

 Engage in the online communities to keep abreast of the latest Networking Academy updates, share best
practices with other instructors, and receive support

 Work with Networking Academy Success Lead and Academy Support Advisors as needed

 Create and maintain an individual training plan that includes curriculum training and instructor professional
development opportunities

Networking Academy Contact

 Manage the Cisco Networking Academy Membership Agreement and update institution information

 Identify individuals to teach at your academy

  Distribute localized communications from Cisco to instructors and administrators

 Utilize online resources and tutorials, or work with Academy Support Advisors to resolve issues

 Search for services or take advantage of services on behalf of your academy

 Collaborate with the Networking Academy Success Lead and administration to ensure the sustainable
success of your academy

Networking Academy Success Lead

 Manage educational quality in the context of academy-related activities

 Share and contribute best practices in online communities

 Monitor success of the academy by using performance measures, including information in the Academy
Success Dashboard

 If improvement is necessary, plan and implement appropriate action

 Collaborate with the Networking Academy Contact and administration to ensure the sustainable success of
your academy

Networking Academy Staff

 Work with the Networking Academy Contact to complete administrative tasks as needed

1.1.1.5. Networking Academy Membership

All academies are required to accept a Membership Agreement with Cisco and update their online academy
profile.

The Membership Agreement governs your academy's participation in the Cisco Networking Academy. The
agreement is accompanied by a Membership Guide, which provides detailed information about the policies and
expectations for all participants in the program. After it is accepted online, a copy of the agreement can be
printed. The printed agreement includes the date it was accepted and the institution ID. Both the Membership
Agreement and the Networking Academy Membership Guide can be found on netacad.com. Go to Resources >
All Resources > Program > Membership Agreements and Guides.

Chapter 2: Networking Academy Offerings and Services

Section 2.0 Introduction
Topic 2.0.1 Welcome
2.0.1.1 Networking Academy Offerings and Services

This chapter will discuss:

  Course offerings

 Certifications

 Exam discounts and vouchers

 Networking Academy conferences and events

 Support

Section 2.1 Curricula Offering

Topic 2.1.1 Networking Academy Curricula
2.1.1.1 Networking Academy Offerings

Networking Academy offers a comprehensive learning experience that includes online curriculum, assessments,
case studies, games, and simulations that are all delivered through the Cisco netacad.com cloud-based learning
and collaboration platform. Students develop entry-level ICT and networking skills, in addition to the important
21st century business and soft skills needed to succeed in today’s global economy.

Our curricula help prepare students for industry recognized certifications:

 IT Essentials (1 course) - CompTIA A+ certification

 CCNA Routing and Switching (first 2 courses) - CCENT certification

 CCNA Routing and Switching (4 courses) - CCNA Routing and Switching certification

 CCNA Security (1 course) - CCNA Security certification

 CCNP Routing and Switching (3 courses) - CCNP Routing and Switching certification
  NDG Linux Essentials - Linux Essentials Professional Development Certificate (PDC)

 NDG LPICI - Linux Server Professional Certification, SUSE Certified Linux Administrator (CLA)

 NDG LPICII - Linux Network Professional Certification

There is a much information about the categories and difficulty levels of the Networking Academy curricula. In
particular, you can download a Powerpoint presentation called NetAcad: Courses/Learning Experience. This
presentation is updated quarterly. Go hereand find it under the Presentations subheading.

2.1.1.2 Curricula Materials

Many of the course materials provided by Cisco Networking Academy offer the following innovative features:

 Interactive Content - Online courses provide real-world context using modeling activities and interactive
media to promote visual learning and long term retention of information; lab and simulation activities are
also strategically placed within the learning progression to check for understanding (Figure 1).

 Hands-On Labs - Students apply their knowledge in increasingly open-ended practice activities as their
level of understanding deepens within a chapter and as they advance in the curricula (Figure 2).

 Packet Tracer - Cisco Packet Tracer provides a simulation-based learning environment that supplements
physical equipment with virtual networks and helps students develop critical 21st century skills such as
problem-solving and model-building (Figure 3).

 Assessments - Online assessments provide immediate feedback to help students and instructors evaluate
acquired knowledge and skills (Figure 4).

 Gaming in Education - The integration of virtual worlds, competition, scoring, and challenge levels into the
curricula and teaching tools via the Cisco Aspire game helps students feel they are playing, not studying
(Figure 5).

 Entrepreneurial Skills - The Entrepreneurship course and Be Your Own Boss series teach critical
business and financial skills, attitudes, and behaviors to help students develop an entrepreneurial mindset
that can empower them to improve their overall quality of life (Figure 6).
Topic 2.1.1
2.1.2.1 Lab Equipment Ordering and Discounts

Equipment Lists by Curriculum

Equipment lists with the requirements for building lab topologies to support hands-on activities are available for
each Networking Academy offering. There are equipment lists for each Networking Academy curriculum here.
These files contain part numbers, descriptions, and quantities for each product required to build a course lab.
Additional information on lab equipment and topologies can be found in the Instructor Lab Manual for each
Networking Academy course.

Equipment Ordering

Equipment ordering processes vary by region and cover specific Cisco equipment ordering details for the
following regions:

 Asia Pacific

 Europe/Middle East/Africa/Russia

 Latin America

 U.S./Canada

Lab Equipment Ordering and Discounts

Cisco provides discounts on Cisco equipment needed for course labs when purchased through an eligible Cisco
Reseller Partner of the academy’s choice. Cisco Reseller Partners may be identified using the Partner
Locator tool.

Some newer curricula such as the IoT Fundamentals courses, use mostly non-Cisco equipment. For the courses
that use unique equipment, more detailed ordering recommendations are included in the Course Resources area.

2.1.2.2 Certification Exam Discount Vouchers

Certification Exam Discount Vouchers

Networking Academy partners with the Cisco certification team to offer discounts on several Cisco certification
exams to eligible Networking Academy students and instructors. The discount is available for three months from
the date that students and instructors become eligible. Students and instructors must request their discount
voucher and take their exam within that three-month time period.

To qualify for a discount voucher a student or instructor must receive at least 75 percent on the first attempt of
the final exam in a qualifying course and a "Complete" in the netacad.com grade book. Candidates who meet the
eligibility requirements qualify for a single discount voucher with the exception of candidates who complete the
CCNA Routing and Switching: Connecting Networks course. These candidates can choose either a single
discount voucher for the composite CCNA exam, or two discount vouchers for the individual CCENT exams.

Discount vouchers can only be used once. Candidates should act quickly to request vouchers and schedule their
exams to avoid being negatively affected by changes to the program or prices, which may occur without notice.
Voucher requests take approximately 14 days to process and voucher availability may be subject to change.

Qualifying candidates will receive an email notification that they are eligible for an exam discount voucher.
Additionally, they will see a Request Voucher link on the I’m Learning tab of their netacad.com home page after
their instructor indicates they have completed a qualifying course in the grade book. It may take up to three days
for the link to appear after the course instructor has passed the candidate in the grade book.

When a student or instructor meets the eligibility requirements for a discount voucher, an email notification is sent
with information about the available discount. After receiving the email, a link to request the voucher will appear
on the student's or instructor's home page under the I’m Learning tab. Students and instructors should verify that
the information in their netacad.com profile is accurate before requesting a discount voucher.

When students or instructors click the request voucher link, they will be asked to confirm their name and email
address before submitting the request. After the request is submitted, the voucher request link will disappear from
the home page, and the request can then be tracked through the user's netacad.com profile.

Discounts are country-specific and are not interchangeable. Vouchers are non-transferable and are valid for three
months following the date of the qualifying course final exam. Individuals who use any unauthorized discount or
promotional code may have their exam results invalidated and risk a lifetime ban on all future exams and the
nullification of all previous certifications. Cisco will not replace any voucher that is found to be fraudulent or used.

If you have questions about Cisco vouchers, please visit the Certifications and Voucherspage.
2.1.2.3 Networking Academy Maintenance

Networking Academy Maintenance

Networking Academy Maintenance

The Networking Academy Maintenance service was developed to help Cisco Networking Academies maintain the
software on their Networking Academy lab equipment and reduce the total costs required to deliver the critical
hands-on aspects of the online courses. This service is currently available to all Networking Academies at no
cost. The Networking Academy Maintenance service provides the following benefits to academies:

 Ability to download supported versions of Cisco software needed for Networking Academy labs

 Ability to enable technology packages and advanced feature sets required for specific labs

 Registered access to Cisco.com

 Program support through the Cisco Networking Academy Support Desk

Academies are responsible for nominating instructors or other administrators who will serve as the points of
contact for receiving the service. Because it may take up to two weeks to enable this service for an instructor
and/or academy, signing up for the service as early as possible is recommended. Detailed sign-up instructions
can be found in the Networking Academy Maintenance Service Datasheet found here on netacad.com.

2.1.2.4 Quality Support Roles

Quality Support Roles

Cisco cares about providing a high quality educational program and we know that academies care about
delivering a high quality educational experience. The Networking Academy Success Lead role was introduced to
support the quality of the Networking Academy program at participating academies.
The Networking Academy Success Lead is involved in continuous and sustainable quality improvement
processes and has the responsibility of managing and monitoring the success of Networking Academy-related
activities. The Success Lead should have a good understanding of the Cisco Networking Academy Membership
Guide.

The Success Lead collaborates with the Networking Academy Contact and members of administration within the
institution to ensure the quality and success of the academy. A review of performance metrics on a regular basis
and the planning and implementation of a strategy for further improvement is strongly recommended.

In areas where an academy demonstrates good practices, the Success Lead is encouraged to share the
experiences and strategies with other academies in the community space available on netacad.com. In areas
where improvements are needed, the Success Lead plans and implements appropriate strategies. Success
Leads should take advantage of the resources found in online communities or an Academy Support Advisor from
an Academy Support Center (ASC).

If an academy elects to receive assistance from an ASC, the role of ASC Academy Specialist can be assigned to
an individual from the ASC. This role allows the individual to access the quality-related tools and measures which
can greatly enhance the collaboration between the academy and ASC.

Topic 2.1.3 Networking Academy Services

2.1.3.1 Academy Success Dashboard

The Networking Academy Success Lead and Networking Academy Contact can monitor their academy’s
performance using the Academy Success Dashboard. The metrics are based on the results from completed
course feedback forms, data entered into netacad.com, and entries in the online grade book.

Using the Academy Success Dashboard, it is possible to observe how the academy is performing based on
different metrics. The Academy Success Dashboard provides in-depth graphical analysis of information about
enrollment trends, pass rates, student performance, voucher requests, and student feedback. It is also possible
to measure an academy’s performance compared to the country average of these performance metrics.

Manuals and Guides are available on the Dashboard Documentation page. FAQs can be found in
the Dashboard section on netacad.com.

Networking Academy Success Leads, Networking Academy Contacts, and ASC Academy Specialists can access
the Academy Success Dashboard and analyze the performance metrics of an academy by clicking the Academy
Reports link under Details > Academy Actions on the I’m Managing tab from the netacad.com home page.

2.1.3.2 Cisco Networking Academy Recognition Program

Cisco Networking Academy Recognition Program

Recognizing achievements and milestones is important to the growth and vibrancy of the Cisco Networking
Academy community. The Cisco Networking Academy Recognition Program celebrates the accomplishments of
program members who deliver outstanding results and invest long-term in the vision of Networking Academy.
The Cisco Networking Academy Recognition Program recognizes outstanding performance and contributions
utilizing a globally consistent set of guidelines, processes, and tools. The recognition framework defines the
categories and criteria that are applied globally for recognizing instructors and academies for excellence and
important milestones.

Award categories include:

 Instructor Excellence

 Academy Excellence

 Years of Service
  ASC Rewards Program

You can learn more about the Cisco Networking Academy Recognition Program and see current recipients and
awards by visiting the Cisco Networking Academy Recognition Programpage on netacad.com.

2.1.3.3 Cisco Networking Academy Conferences and Events

Cisco Networking Academy Conferences and Events

Cisco Networking Academy hosts conferences and virtual events that are designed especially for academy
instructors and administrators. Typically, these conferences and events provide instructors with professional
development sessions, create social networking opportunities, and deliver updates about Cisco Networking
Academy. In addition to workshops, sessions, and speakers, conferences bring people together from Cisco
Networking Academy programs to exchange best practices and share ideas. Information about Cisco Networking
Academy Conferences and Events can be found by clicking the News and Events link on netacad.com.

2.1.3.4. Global Support Desk

Global Support Desk

The Cisco Networking Academy Global Support Desk is able to provide answers for functionality and program
questions to Networking Academy administrators, instructors and other non-student users. The Global Support
Desk can provide assistance via chat BOT, website, or chat with a live agent. The Global Support Desk can
provide support in English, Spanish, and French. Your ASC can provide support in other languages. Live chat
hours are listed below:

 San Francisco: Mondays - Fridays, 2 a.m. - 6 p.m. (PDT, UTC-7)

 New York: Mondays - Fridays, 5 a.m. - 9 p.m. (EDT, UTC - 4)

 London: Mondays - Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 a.m. (BST UTC+1)

 Hong Kong: Mondays - Saturdays, 5 p.m. - 9 a.m. (HKT, UTC +8)

 Sydney: Mondays - Saturdays, 7 p.m. - 11 a.m. (AEST, UTC +10)

You can obtain support and access additional resources via the Support menu at the top of the netacad.com site:

 Contact Your ASC - Your Academy Support Center can answer most Networking Academy program and
functionality questions and should be your first point of contact. If you assign someone from your ASC the
role of ASC Academy Specialist, they will be able to support your academy quickly and efficiently.

 Netacad Support - Netacad Support option will launch our virtual chat BOT support agent called Morgan.
The chat BOT can answer most common program and functionality questions about Cisco Networking
Academy. If you need to report a bug or if the chat BOT cannot answer your question, links will be provided
to contact your ASC or start a live chat with the Support Desk.

 FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions can answer most common program and functionality questions about
Cisco Networking Academy and are sorted into categories for ease of use.

 Community Support - Communities are available to share best practices and ask for advice and feedback
from peers in the Cisco Networking program.

Students do not have access to the Global Support Desk, but they will have access to our new virtual chat BOT
and are encouraged to post questions or comments in our Networking Academy Facebook community.
All users will be alerted to planned and unplanned netacad.com system outages via newsletter, announcements
on netacad.com, and Facebook. For planned outages, information will be provided in advance. Notifications
across these same social media channels will be made when the problem is resolved and the system is back
online.

2.1.3.5. Career Resources for Cisco Networking Academy Students

Career Resources for Cisco Networking Academy Students

Congratulations on becoming a part of Cisco Networking Academy.

As part of being an instructor with us, you also gain access to career resources customized for our community.
These are designed with our students in mind and ensuring their success in a career in technology. Access
resources on netacad.com today by visiting the Careerssection.

Discover ways to supplement your lessons by accessing a variety of resources on our global career website. The
section provides valuable resources to help you prepare your students to be a part of the workforce and
successfully seek out employment:

 Employment opportunities that are curated and managed by Networking Academy Talent Bridge, an
employment program for our students

 Webinars featuring industry experts who focus on topics ranging from career preparation to opportunities in
tech

 Career advice that focuses on the fundamentals of how to be employable in today’s digital economy as a
technology expert

Chapter 3: The Networking Academy Instructor

Chapter 3: The Networking Academy Instructor

This chapter will discuss:

 Qualifications to teach, instructor training, and the Instructor Fast Track option

 Role of the Instructor Trainer

 Global collaborative environment available to instructors

 Quality assurance methods applied to course materials

 Opportunities for professional development

3.1.1.1 Qualify to Teach

Instructors who want to offer Networking Academy courses must meet the following requirements:

 They must be assigned as a Networking Academy Instructor at a Networking Academy.

 They must successfully complete the relevant instructor training course where applicable.
  Teaching qualifications for each course are described on netacad.com. Under the Resources menu, look at
the Instructor Resources section and choose Course Resources. Select the course name. The course
information page includes the requirements for instructors to teach the course.

 Successfully completing this Academy Orientation course is encouraged.

 Cisco also recommends that Networking Academy Instructors work toward achieving industry certification
for the curricula they teach, but certification is not required to offer student courses.

3.1.1.2. Instructor Training

Prior to teaching a Networking Essentials, IT Essentials, CCNA R&S, CCNA Security, or the CCNP R&S course
for the first time, Networking Academy Instructors must receive training on the course content at an Instructor
Training Center (ITC).

Prior to teaching IoT Fundamentals: Connecting Things or IoT Fundamentals: Big Data & Analytics, Networking
Academy instructors must successfully complete the instructor training course. There is a self-enrolled, self-
paced option available, or the instructor may receive training from an Instructor Training Center (ITC).

Locating an Instructor Training Center (ITC) Academy

The Networking Academy program offers a wide variety of opportunities for instructor training provided by a
highly qualified network of Instructor Trainers. These Instructor Trainers are associated with Instructor Training
Centers (ITC) located across the globe. To find an instructor training course that fits your specific needs, you can
use the Instructor Training Center Locator found on the netacad.com Home page.

Length of Instructor Training Sessions

Review the guidelines for recommended time requirements for instructor training by offering. These guidelines
are the minimum expectations to complete each course. ITC Academies may determine that time requirements
need to be adjusted. However, the minimum expectations should be used as the baseline and then increased
based on individual circumstances.

The Length of Instructor Training Sessions can be found under All Resources. Go to Resources and scroll to
select All Resources. Select the Program folder and then open the Instructor Training and Professional
Development folder.

Expectations for Instructor Training

 Complete the instructor class registration at the ITC Academy.

 Download and review course materials two weeks before training.

 Participate in all activities during class, including online and classroom learning, labs, online assessments,
and skills-based assessments.

 Complete an online final exam, course feedback form, and pass any associated hands-on, skills
assessments (SAs).

One Year of Technical Support

The Instructor Trainer and the ITC Academy provide one year of technical support to instructors who pass the
instructor training course. This year of support should enable the success of the instructor in teaching and
supporting the students.

3.1.1.3 Instructor Fast Track Option

The Instructor Fast Track (IFT) option is an opportunity for an instructor candidate to demonstrate skills and
knowledge with little or no instruction. This option is provided for candidates who possess the required subject
knowledge and skills, and who would not benefit from full instructor training. Only candidates with prior subject
matter knowledge can enroll in an IFT class.

 IFT Completion Standards - A candidate proves proficiency by successfully completing the SA specific to
the IFT course. The Packet Tracer SA is not to be used for the IFT. A candidate who does not pass the SA
is not passed from the IFT class, and must enter a full instructor training class. The instructor candidate
needs to successfully complete the IFT class and successfully complete this Academy Orientation course
before they will be qualified to create a student class. Please note that the Academy Orientation course is
separate from the Instructor Fast Track option.

 Enrollment Prerequisites - There are a number of enrollment prerequisites specific to each course.

For detailed information, review the Instructor Fast Track Guidelines.

3.1.1.4 Course Releases

When a major release or update of a given course is planned, depending upon the level of change to the content,
training may be required for all instructors. For example, when course materials are updated to reflect changes in
certification material, instructors would benefit from updated training on the new content.

When a minor release of a given course is planned, training for instructors is not typically required. For example,
when only a portion of the course is updated to accommodate new technologies, instructors would benefit from
reviewing the updated content on their own.

Networking Academy makes every attempt to communicate information about upcoming course releases and
updates as soon as possible to provide instructors and administrators time to accommodate any changes.
Instructors and administrators are encouraged to read the monthly Networking Academy bulletin and
announcements posted on netacad.com for the latest information about any course updates.

3.1.1.5. Instructor Trainer

Instructor Trainers (ITrs) plan and deliver training to instructors who intend to offer student classes for IT
Essentials, Networking Essentials, CCNA R&S, CCNA Security, or CCNP R&S. ITrs are intended to be examples
of academic and instructional excellence; therefore, they must complete a rigorous qualification process.

There are three steps in the Instructor Trainer Qualification (ITQ) process:

Step 1. ITC Academy Contacts nominate candidates for ITQ.

Step 2. Candidate must satisfy the eligibility requirements.

Step 3. Candidate must successfully complete the ITQ evaluation.

After candidates pass the ITQ evaluation, they receive an official Cisco Networking Academy Instructor Trainer
Certificate. Candidates who do not pass the evaluation are eligible to attempt the ITQ again after three months.
This allows the candidate time for additional study and preparation.

These are the requirements for maintaining the status of Instructor Trainer:

 Maintain Cisco certification required for ITrs for the following offerings: Networking Essentials, CCNA R&S,
CCNA Security, and CCNP R&S.

 Teach at least three instructors (co-teaching accepted) or equivalent instructor engagement in the past
three years.

 Be associated with at least one ITC Academy as an Instructor Trainer.

3.1.2.1 The Reflective Practitioner

The Networking Academy approach to teaching encourages instructors to grow as reflective practitioners in a
community of practice by sharing pedagogical content knowledge as part of the program's human network.

By reflective practitioner, we refer to teaching professionals who identify opportunities to improve their teaching
and engage in the process of continuous learning. Opportunities for reflective instruction as a member of
Networking Academy include:

 Personal reflection and/or journals

 Classroom-based action research

 Seeking feedback through the Networking Academy support system

 Networking Academy online communities

By community of practice, we follow Lave and Wenger’s work (Wikipedia reference = Community of Practice),
meaning a group of people who share a profession, specifically a shared domain (networking education),
community (Networking Academy instructors), and practice (the teaching of entry-level computer networking and
skills).

By pedagogical content knowledge (PCK, Wikipedia reference) we mean that special knowledge of how best to
teach networking to your students This is put succinctly as: "The transformation of subject matter for teaching
(Shulman, 1986) occurs as the teacher critically reflects on and interprets the subject matter; finds multiple ways
to represent the information as analogies, metaphors, examples, problems, demonstrations, and classroom
activities; adapts the material to students’ abilities, gender, prior knowledge, and preconceptions (those pre-
instructional informal or non-traditional ideas students bring to the learning setting); and finally, tailors the material
to those specific students to whom the information will be taught (emphasis in original, p. 264)."

Finally, by the human network, we refer to the power of human beings, acting through technologies for connected
collaboration, to teach and learn even more powerfully as the human network works together (in our case of
Networking Academy instructors, designers, students, and other stakeholders).

3.1.2.2 Collaborative Environment

As a new instructor you can receive support from other Networking Academy instructors and Cisco professionals
in the netacad.com Community Forums. The Community Forums offer a collaborative environment for members
to engage with one another about teaching, assessment, curricula, and many other topics of interest.

There are two types of communities available to instructors. The Networking Academy Community Forums are
communities that contain content in support of Networking Academy curricula, programs, and technology.
Participating in these communities earns instructors points and badges for their contributions to the ongoing
conversations about Networking Academy. External communities are communities that are managed outside of
the netacad.com environment, such as Facebook or LinkedIn. These are both open communities and include
students as well as instructors and others interested in Cisco Networking Academy.

The following Facebook groups are for Networking Academy instructors and are closed to student membership:

 USA/Canada Cisco Networking Academy Instructors

 Africa Cisco Networking Academy Instructors

 EMEAR Cisco Networking Academy Instructors

 Instructores Cisco Networking Academy - Español

  TMENA Cisco Networking Academy Instructors

 APJC Cisco Networking Academy Instructors

 Brazil/Angola/Mozambique Cisco Networking Academy Instructors

 Instructeurs Cisco Networking Academy - Français

 Cisco Networking Academy Russia

Communities do not thrive unless you join them and participate. We look forward to seeing your blog entries,
forum posts, and shared files. The communities will always be changing, so check in on them regularly.
Community forums can be found under Support and by clicking Community Forums.

3.1.2.3 Instructor Checklist

The Instructor Checklist provides a quick reference for new and experienced instructors. It explains the resources
available to help prepare for and teach Networking Academy classes. The checklist includes information relevant
to:

 Getting accredited to teach Networking Academy courses

 Setting up the classroom

 Instructor resources

The Instructor Checklist can be found under All Resources. Go to Resources and scroll to select All Resources.
Select the Program folder and the open the Instructor Training and Professional Development folder.

3.1.2.4. Instructor Professional Development

Our goals for Instructor Professional Development are to provide enhanced learning opportunities for all
instructors, and to foster the development and participation in communities of interest that help all of us provide
greater positive impact to our students. Working together we can make the world’s largest classroom the world’s
best student experience.

Networking Academy instructors are expected and encouraged to pursue continuing education opportunities.
Instructors are encouraged to complete a minimum of four hours of continual education activities annually. Our
approach is grounded in research-based data, which informs the development of resources, activities, and
community interactions, such as forums and blogs. These tools can measurably advance your domain knowledge
and instructional capabilities. We are proud to enable you to begin your professional development to advance
your skills and effectiveness as an academy instructor.

Instructors can access these learning opportunities through netacad.com. Under the Resources menu, find the
Instructor Resources section and select Course Resources. On the Course Resources page, select Instructor
Professional Development link under Additional Instructor Resources.

You will find a series of additional learning materials that are already developed and available. You can use these
materials in your classroom for students to engage in more active and comprehensive learning on these subjects.
You are also strongly encouraged to participate in our Networking Academy Communities and Facebook sites
where you can engage other instructors using these resources and provide your feedback and ideas.