College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Corner Brook campus celebrated the success of two students January 21. Russell Harvey of Botwood and Ryan Greeley of Corner Brook were presented with certificates for the successful completion of the Introduction to Networks certification through the Cisco Academy.
Created by educators, for educators, Cisco Academy offers curriculum at no cost to not-for-profit educational institutions such as CNA. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration as well as practical knowledge.
CNA has been offering Cisco Academy courses at Corner Brook and Prince Philip Drive campus in St. John’s for a number of years. The web-based curriculum simultaneously delivers to all Academy sites through a Global Learning Network. Certified instructors provide face-to-face support in a specially equipped Academy lab to reinforce learning and ensure student progress. Internet-based assessment provides immediate feedback to students and teachers – providing mastery, as well as measurement.
Russell and Ryan completed CR1105 Networking Fundamentals of the Computer Systems and Networking (CSN) program.
"I found the toughest part was just the massive amount of material and the very short amount of time you have to cover it,” said Russell, of gaining his certification. “You've got an entire school years’ worth of things to learn and four months to learn it, but considering the scope of the Internet, it seems appropriate. Personally, my favorite part was working on a Packet Tracer, because it was very hands-on and allowed me to put what I learned directly into practice. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to learn."
Cisco Packet Tracer is a powerful visualization and simulation tool that allows users to design, build, troubleshoot, and experiment with virtual networks. Students and instructors use Packet Tracer to explore complex technical concepts and networking system designs in a safe, virtual environment.
The curriculum for Corner Brook campus is delivered by Darryl Murphy, CSN instructor. “Having the Cisco Academy integrated into the Computer Systems and Networking program is one of the reasons CNA students are ‘In Demand’,” Darryl said.
Mary Vaughan, the college’s Dean of Business and Information Technology, says the students in the CSN program at the Corner Brook campus showed initiative by advancing their knowledge in pursuit of the Cisco certification. She says this demonstrates how their skill level, combined with the quality of education provided by their instructors, has prepared them to be successful in obtaining this certification.
“These students will not only have the valued CSN diploma from CNA when they graduate, but they have demonstrated to industry their personal drive to go beyond what is expected and pursue industry certification in an area that is in great demand,” Vaughan said. “These are excellent assets to have as they start their careers!”
The Cisco Networking Academy has trained more than five million students to date. Many graduates have gone on to successful information and communication technology careers in a variety of industries, while others have harnessed the entrepreneurial spirit and knowledge they acquired in Networking Academy to start their own businesses and create new jobs.
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Media Contact:
Glenda McCarthy
Public Relations Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709.643.6408
glenda.mccarthy@cna.nl.ca