Gary S. Rogers

Richard Spiers

Macon State College
100 College Station Drive

Macon, GA 31206

(912) 471-2809

grogers@mail.maconstate.edu

Introduction

Macon State College has become a Nortel Networking Regional Training Center. As such, we provide training to the Central Georgia region in this highly-desirable skill area. The benefits to us are:

O additional students

O $30K of free networking equipment

O highly-desirable training for college personnel

O more recognition as a supplier of market-driven skills for students.

The Training Program

Nortel Networks has established the NetKnowledge Program to provide a state-of-the-art networking curriculum to schools. Through the NetKnowledge Program, students can receive training to help meet the high demand for computer networking and telecommunications professionals in the 21st century.

The NetKnowledge Program also provides training for teachers at one of many Regional Training Centers(RTCs) around the country. The training provides teachers with the necessary foundation they need for teaching this course.

NetKnowledge is a four-semester series of courses covering the basic components of internetworking including routing, switching, integrated networks and emerging technologies. NetKnowledge also provides real business case studies in which students solve networking problems in true-life situations.

The Nortel Networks NetKnowledge Program has been written and developed in partnership with TERC, a non-profit research and development organization committed to improving science learning and teaching. Through the NetKnowledge program, students will develop a knowledge in networking and communication technology to give them the foundation they need for a future in the information technology industry.

Why Nortel Networks?

In addition to providing industry-leading networking equipment, Nortel Networks is partnering with schools to deliver high-quality technical education.

One of the ways Nortel is committed to education is by donating networking curriculum to its schools with the NetKnowledge Program. The NetKnowledge curriculum has been developed by educational research and development professionals who know how high school and college students learn, with emphasis on hands-on activities and lab projects.

In short, Nortel Networks offers the NetKnowledge Program to prepare students to design, build, and manage networks. The NetKnowledge Program is up-to-date, and futuristic, teaching students about emerging technologies and the future of networking.

Why now?

In the Information Age, knowledge of technology is a powerful predictor of success. Nortel networks is helping students acquire both knowledge and success by providing secondary and post-secondary schools with networking curriculum.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that during the next eight years the computer and data processing services industry is projected to grow 108 percent, the most of any industry, producing over 1.3 million new jobs. It is projected that database administrators and computer support specialists will be the fastest growing occupations over the same time.

With the networking industry growing exponentially, Nortel Networks recognizes the need for this technology to be integrated in schools' curriculum. According to the Information Technology Association of America there are over 340,000 unfilled jobs required technology skills in mid- to large-sized U.S. companies. More than a powerful technology, networking is one of the fastest growing professions today. Nortel Networks is committed to help prepare its future practitioners.

The Nortel Networks NetKnowledge program is a four-semester sequence of courses designed specifically for secondary and post-secondary students. It consists of project-based lessons and hands-on labs designed to teach all students more than the basics in Routing, Switching, and Unified Networks.

NetKnowledge appeals to the full range of students, providing

1. lessons and quizzes to test basic understanding,
2. hands-on activities and labs to further competency,
3. extension activities to challenge more able and willing students,
4. complete assessment to test for competency and comprehension.

Curriculum is provided free of charge to program participants. Equipment for the NetKnowledge lab is provided at a greatly reduced price, or is free for RTCs. The appendix provides a detailed list of equipment provided, free of charge, to RTCs.

Baseline school-supplied hardware:

1. 10-15 PC's, 64MB RAM, WIN95, CD-Rom, Monitors, 10 NICS

Baseline school-supplied software:

1. Internet Explorer 4.01 or greater or Netscape Navigator 4.2 or greater
2. Outlook Express
3. Winzip (newest version)
4. Acrobat Reader (free)
5. CuteFTP (newest version)
6. Eudora Lite (newest version)
7. Adobe Pagemill 3.0 or higher
8. Adobe Imagestyler 1.0 or higher
9. ISP access to the classroom network
10. Microsoft NT

Nortel Networks Hardware Package

1. 2 ARN or AN Routers
2. 2 350T 10/100 Autosense Switches (Layer 2)
3. 2 Baystack 152 hubs
4. 2 Baystack 153 hubs

Accessory Kit from Anixter/Ameritech

Sniffer Basic software site license - Ameritech

Teachers are trained in the program at regional training centers, which then provide support throughout program implementation.

The program consists of three levels:

Regional Training Centers -- To receive training, teachers attend one of the Nortel Networks Regional Training Centers which have been established in locations around North America. Regional Training Center Instructors receive in-depth networking training at Nortel Networks' facilities. Regional Training Center Instructors will be a point-of-contact for teachers during the year to answer any questions.

Teachers -- Studies show that only 15% of a typical school computer systems budget is devoted to staff instruction, and less that 5% of all schools have full-time on-site professionals to help train staff. Nortel provides the technology training for those who are teaching the NetKnowledge curriculum. Training takes place at one of many Regional Training Centers (RTCs). Instructors at the Regional Training Centers have been trained by Nortel Networks to teach the teachers.

Teachers attend classes at their Regional Training Center to qualify to teach this program. An evaluation will be sent to teachers before entering the RTC so they can assess their knowledge of networking. A pre-study course may be recommended for those who need the basics before attending the training session.

Teachers receive the curriculum from Nortel's on-line web site along with receiving a CD of the curriculum. The CDs contain the Teacher Guide, Student Guide, Powerpoint Slide Presentation and How to Display and Print directions.

There is also be a web-site forum where teachers will receive information and have a continuous discussion with other teachers in the program.

Students -- The fastest growing industries are internetworking and telecommunications. NetKnowledge is the training students need to enter into these rapidly growing industries. The NetKnowledge program provides a curriculum that is designed specifically for secondary and post-secondary students; it is not re-purposed adult training. Students enjoy the NetKnowledge curriculum because of the hands-on projects and activity labs.

Students will also have email addresses of other NetKnowledge students so they can collaborate on projects together. This gives an opportunity to work with other students across the country and even around the world.

Students gain not only a solid conceptual foundation for advanced studies but also training that can be applied to certifications leading to high-tech industry jobs.

Once students have completed the course, they are eligible for Nortel Networks certification.

After completing the NetKnowledge course, students can take NetKnowledge exam and receive a NetKnowledge Certificate. This shows that the student has completed 280 hours or more of networking instruction.

For those students who want further certification, they can take Nortel Networks Certified Account Specialist test at Sylvan Learning Centers and receive an industry recognized certificate which provides them a definite edge when applying for a job in the networking industry.

Students may also further their training and education in networking by taking Nortel-certified Core Technology on-line examinations through Sylvan Learning Centers.

The New Nortel Networks Certification Program Framework

The Nortel Networks certification program is modular, allowing candidates to choose the certifications that best meet their individual and business needs. The program is comprised of six designations that demonstrate varying levels of expertise. The certification framework offers candidates a natural growth path as they gain experience and add to their skill-set. Testing methodologies will be applied as appropriate across the certification levels and Nortel Networks solution sets. The new designations are:

1. Nortel Networks Certified Account Specialist (NNCAS) This designation recognizes a fundamental level of Nortel Networks products, industry and technology expertise.



2. Nortel Networks Certified Design Specialist (NNCDS) This designation recognizes a fundamental level of design expertise. These individuals participate in planning activities for networks that utilize Nortel Networks solutions.



3. Nortel Networks Certified Design Expert (NNCDE) This designation recognizes an advanced knowledge of Nortel Networks products and solutions. Individuals earning NNCDE certification can develop optimal network solutions and detailed network designs based on customer requirements.



4. Nortel Networks Certified Support Specialist (NNCSS) This designation recognizes a fundamental level of technical expertise that enables a candidate to deploy, operate and troubleshoot Nortel Networks solutions. These specialists provide the day-to-day operational support for today's sophisticated networks.



5. Nortel Networks Certified Support Expert (NNCSE) This designation recognizes the ability to effectively implement, configure, support, troubleshoot, and optimize Nortel Networks solutions. Successful candidates provide advanced operational network support.



6. Nortel Networks Certified Network Architect (NNCNA) This designation recognizes an advanced level of consulting, technical, and design expertise. To achieve this credential, candidates must pass a rigorous portfolio assessment, a highly regarded method for certifying advanced level practitioners, which allows candidates to illustrate and document significant dimensions of their professional life.

How to Get Started

Colleges who wish to become a Nortel training academy have a somewhat time-consuming process ahead of them.

First, you must determine whether you wish to become a Regional (RTC) or a Local Training Center (LTC). RTCs must offer train-the-trainer classes at least once each semester. They must also organize, pay for and implement whatever advertising they feel is necessary to secure LTC trainers to teach. On the other side of the coin, RTCs receive the free equipment previously mentioned. LTCs receive training from their RTC and do not have to pay for advertising to obtain students (the RTCs do this). LTCs are also not required to offer training classes every semester. However, they do not receive free equipment either.

Second, you must then contact Nortel Networks. The point of contact is Kim Smith at kmsmith@nortelnetworks.com. Once you discuss this with her, Nortel sends you an agreement for the type of training center you desire along with any equipment, etc which may be associated with that program. You must get this agreement approved buy your local authority (school district, etc) and returned back to Nortel.

Training for your trainers are covered by you unless you are a RTC. Then, Nortel picks up SOME of the costs.

Conclusion

Nortel Networks offers a training program for both students and teachers at high schools and colleges in the area of computer networking. Similar to the Cisco program of this type, this training aims to provide training which is critically needed in the IT industry today. We at Macon State College believe the Nortel program provides advantages over the Cisco program such as:

O the Nortel program is more flexible

O Nortel provides free equipment and training for us as an RTC.

These topics will be discussed in more depth at the Conference. Thank you!

Courtesy: Nortel Networks.