First Data - Cisco CCNA Discovery Blended Distance Learning Pilot Programme


	Courses
	::	Community Welcome to Family Learning
	::	Interactive English
	::	Interactive Maths
	::	iMedia
	::	April Term Timetable
	::	Certificate in Accounting
	::	Family Learning Courses
	::	Family Health
	::	LSC Play with Language - Wider Family Learnin
	::	ECDL Extra Certificate
	::	Cisco BDL Pilot
	::	Digital Cameras
	::	Desktop Publishing

Cisco CCNA Discovery Blended Distance Learning Pilot Programme

FREE Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Training

If you are a Nottingham based company, First Data are offering a great opportunity for your ICT staff to take part in a World Class training programme – FREE.

First Data (Training) have been running their Cisco Networking Academy since 2001, with funding support from NDC. Now we are ready to start a pilot training programme covering the new CCNA Discovery curriculum aimed at meeting the needs of local businesses.

The Cisco CCNA® Discovery curriculum provides foundational networking knowledge, practical experience, opportunities for career exploration, and soft-skills development to help participants prepare for careers in IT and networking. The curriculum offers a hands-on approach to learning, and uses interactive tools and easy-to-follow labs to help students learn the general theory needed to build networks.

Blended Distance Learning

The course will be run using a Blended Distance Learning (BDL) model. BDL is a combination of in-person and remote instruction. First Data intend to pilot a BDL CCNA Discovery course in order to open up our Cisco program to people in employment unable to attend a longer daytime course.

Students will be able to study the online curriculum in their own time at home, or where ever they have internet access. This self study will be supported by printed materials, email tutor contact, a dedicated website and 3 hours per week of in person classroom training. The classroom time will be targeted at practical, hands on ‘Labs’ sessions, review of difficult curriculum areas and end of module exams. Hands-on lab experience will be bolstered by the students’ use, again in their own time, of freely provided hardware simulation software which will give further valuable practical knowledge.

Benefits of Blended Distance Learning to Employers

Self paced learning in the employee’s own time within an overall timetable
Only tied to the classroom for three hours per week
Tutor support when students need it

Entry Requirements

CCNA^®Discovery is primarily designed for Cisco^®Networking Academy^®students who are looking for career-oriented, IT-skills instruction or a quick path to job entry and career exploration.

BDL students must be highly self motivated and should ideally have already completed some basic technical ICT training. At a minimum, students should be able to demonstrate a strong interest in the subject of ICT networking and show they have the ability to cope with a level 3 course. Students must have access to an Internet connected PC.

Students will be expected to provide feed-back to First Data throughout the pilot course to help us complete a thorough evaluation of the programme.

Intended Timetable

Classroom

36 hours (3h/week for 12 weeks)

In-person hands-on labs; Q and A and review sessions; In-person skills exam and online final

Self Study

Up to 96 hours (up to 8h/week for 12 weeks)

Online interactive curriculum; online end of chapter exams; computer simulated practical labs; learning reinforced by network simulation software; remote tutor support

NB. The free pilot programme covers only the first module of the CCNA course. The remaining modules may be offered subsequently at a cost.

What we are offering

Free training for local businesses* covering the first module of the Cisco CCNA® Discovery curriculum
The module will last for 12 weeks
Three hours classroom time per week concentrating on practical, hands on learning
Out of classroom tutor support via email, telephone and web
Access to the Cisco Networking Academy online course materials
Free network simulation software to enhance and reinforce practical learning

*businesses within the NDC geographical area will be given priority for places