Practice Tools Overview

Cisco Networking Academy

August 2024
 • Introduction
Table of Contents • Lab Environments

• Interactive Learning and Assessments

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 Interactive Practice
A key pillar of Cisco Networking Academy

Motivate your students with exciting

experiences that make learning very real

Accelerate and optimize each student’s

path to career-ready skills

Build student confidence: “I can do this!”

Developed by learning scientists &

subject-matter experts

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 Lab Environments

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 A Suite of Lab Environments
Options ranging from simulation to physical hardware

Digital Real
• Easy to scale • Real-world devices
• Instant replay • Motivating for students
• Less setup time & cost • Tactile learning

Simulation with Virtual Remote Physical

Cisco Packet Tracer Machines Equipment Hardware

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 Cisco Packet Tracer
Overview Details
Cisco Packet Tracer is a powerful simulation and Use it to:
visualization learning environment. Practice • Create and configure networks
building simple and complex networks across a • Practice cabling devices in the rack with
variety of devices and extend beyond routers Physical Mode
and switches. • See how packets travel through a network with
Simulation Mode
Benefits • Program IoT smart solutions
• And more!
Teach complex concepts without complex
hardware. Leverage the versatility of simulation
for lectures, labs, games, homework, This tool is used in Cisco Networking Academy
assessments, competitions, and distance courses, including and not limited to:
learning.
• Networking Essentials Requirements
• Cybersecurity Essentials
• IT Essentials • Available at no cost
✓ Students can quickly try, experiment, learn, • CCNA • Additional hardware, software, or internet
and repeat • CyberOps Associate connectivity requirements may apply
• DevNet Associate • Terms and conditions may apply
✓ Foster teamwork, critical thinking, and • Network Security
creative problem-solving skills
How to access:
✓ Integration with online assessment engine • Enroll in Getting Started with Cisco Packet
prepares students for hands-on assessments Tracer course to download desktop version
and go through a tutorial

© 2024 Cisco and/or its affiliates. A ll r ights r eserved. This document is Cisco Public Infor mation. netacad.com
 Virtual Machines (VM)
OS OS OS
Overview Details VM VM VM
Virtual machines are virtual environments that Use it to: Virtual Machine Monitor
emulate a computer system. These self- • Teach virtual machine technology
contained virtual environments let students • Simulate real-world cybersecurity threat Hardware
explore systems to the breaking point without scenarios
causing actual damage. • Create opportunities for ethical hacking,
security monitoring, analysis, and resolution
Benefits
This tool is used in Cisco Networking Academy
Experiment and explore in a low-risk
courses, including and not limited to:
environment. Deliberately test security threats • CCNA
and malware in a safe environment. • CyberOps Associate
✓ Give students opportunities for hands-on • DevNet Associate Requirements
cybersecurity practice • Ethical Hacker
• Available at no cost
✓ Students become familiar with virtual
machines to prepare for on-the-job skills • Additional hardware, software, or internet
connectivity requirements may apply
• Terms and conditions may apply

© 2024 Cisco and/or its affiliates. A ll r ights r eserved. This document is Cisco Public Infor mation. netacad.com
 NDG NETLAB+
Overview Details
Connect to real hardware through the web. NDG Use it to:
NETLAB+ provides cloud-based, remote access • Access remote IT equipment through a web
to networking equipment and PCs. browser
• Reduce your lab setup time

Benefits
This tool is used in Cisco Networking Academy
Reduce your setup time for complex labs with
courses, including and not limited to:
on-demand remote access to lab equipment
• CCNA
when you need it.
• IT Essentials
✓ Provide practice opportunities for students to • CyberOps Associate
complete labs from anywhere • Network Security
✓ Supplement your lab offerings when physical Requirements
hardware is not available at your organization
• Available for a fee
• Additional hardware, software, or internet
connectivity requirements may apply
• Terms and conditions may apply

In collaboration with

© 2024 Cisco and/or its affiliates. A ll r ights r eserved. This document is Cisco Public Infor mation. netacad.com
 DevNet Sandbox
Overview Details
Connect to real hardware through the web. Use it to:
Cisco DevNet Sandbox offers packaged labs • Interact with live network infrastructure and
for software development, testing APIs, programmable devices using real-world
training, hackathons, and more. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)

Benefits This tool is used in Cisco Networking Academy

courses, including and not limited to:
Reduce your setup time for complex labs with
• DevNet Associate
on-demand remote access to lab equipment
when you need it.

✓ Students get experience running their code Requirements

against live network infrastructure
• Available at no cost
✓ Give students practice working in a sandbox • Additional hardware, software, or internet
environment just like on-the-job software connectivity requirements may apply
developers

In collaboration with

© 2024 Cisco and/or its affiliates. A ll r ights r eserved. This document is Cisco Public Infor mation. netacad.com
 Physical Hardware
Overview Details
Bring the real world inside the classroom so Use it to:
students can practice physical, sensory skills. • Approximately 1-5 bullet points about the
Seeing and exploring with real equipment value of how the tool can be used
makes the abstract more tangible.

This tool is used in Cisco Networking Academy

Benefits courses, including and not limited to:
• Networking Essentials
Excite learners to consider career pathways in • IT Essentials
networking technology and increase retention • CCNA
through tactile learning. • Network Security
✓ Provide hands-on practice with the same
devices found in the work environment
How to access:
Requirements
✓ Students gain real experience • Contact a local Cisco Reseller Partner for • Available for a fee
even before on-the-job training pricing and order fulfillment. • Equipment discounts are available for Cisco
✓ Build transferable, career-ready skills • Consider working with an Academy Support Networking Academy organizations when
Center (ASC) who can help you choose the purchased through a Cisco Reseller Partner
best way to secure equipment needed for your
location. They may offer loaner equipment or
used equipment options.

© 2024 Cisco and/or its affiliates. A ll r ights r eserved. This document is Cisco Public Infor mation. netacad.com
 Interactive Learning and Assessments

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 Interactive Learning
Interactive learning is integral to the Cisco Networking Academy learning experience.

This interactive approach builds proficiency and confidence and keeps learners engaged and excited
in their educational journey. In addition to the examples below, we are incubating exciting innovations
in areas like AI, gamification, and project-based learning.

Courses feature rich multimedia content including My Knowledge Check, an adaptive

interactive activities, videos, and games to address a assessment feature powered by AI, gives
variety of learning styles, and increase knowledge learners personalized feedback on their
retention. learning progress.

Hands-on labs and simulation-based activities Gamification elements are also woven
help students develop critical thinking and complex throughout the curriculum.
problem-solving skills.

Some Professional Skills courses include immersive

branching activities that simulate practical
workplace interpersonal skills.

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 Assessments
Insights to build understanding

Formative Summative
Assessments Assessments

Learners test their own learning with low stakes Educators can evaluate learners’ knowledge with secure
evaluations of their progress and understanding. exams for reliable, valid, and fair summative
assessments. Courses typically include one or more of
Formative assessments are embedded into the the following:
learning experience, such as:
• Final exams
• My Knowledge Check (personalized adaptive
assessment feature powered by AI) • Certification exams

• Quizzes • Practice exams

• Check Your Understanding activities • Performance assessments (hands-on with physical

hardware or Cisco Packet Tracer)

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 Teach with us
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