Cisco Systems CCNA 2 manual Project-based Instruction, Challenges and projects

B.3 Project-based Instruction

B.3.1 Challenges and projects

Figure 1: Challenges and Projects

NetDay challenges are problem-based labs or projects that are advocated by AAAS Project 2061, which is a science education reform project. Unlike step-by-step labs, these exercises encourage students to develop their own solutions to various problems or challenges. The challenges vary in content and duration ranges from 50 minutes to 3 weeks. These challenges consist of two basic parts. First, the lab asks students to solve a problem. Second, it asks the students to create a product. For example, a simple 50-minute challenge lab for the first semester might be titled "Make a Patch Cable that Works Successfully". A three-week challenge that teaches more complex tasks might be called "Wire the School Computer Lab". NetDay is a great example of challenge-based learning, and Cisco encourages instructors to incorporate it into their classes.

Teaching and learning environments extend beyond the lab setting. Opportunities for real- world applications emerge when students can use their networking skills in projects that contribute to community initiatives. Sometimes these activities are called service learning.

The Cisco Networking Academy Program originated as a community project. In the mid-1990s, educational institutions around the world experienced a demand for computer networks that exceeded the skilled personnel available to install and maintain those networks. Cisco engineer George Ward worked to address these issues. He articulated the need for a course sequence that would train high school students to support their school networks. This need for versatile apprentices became the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) curriculum.

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