Networking Labs Rewrite Project
Project Background
The current Cisco lab manuals for Level 7 courses (IT7369 and IT7370) are delivered in a “read and type” style.
The project aim was to rewrite Labs for IT7369 (Advanced Routing) and IT7370 (Advanced Switching) that require students to synthesise and evaluate rather than just read and type from the lab manual.
Project Objectives
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To improve existing learning techniques
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To help students brainstorm rather than read and type
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To help students memorize the commands for a longer time
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To involve students in group discussions
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To allow students to investigate and research more
Methodology
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Analyse the current advanced cisco lab manuals
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Define the existing learning environment problems
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Design a prototype lab
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Client Acceptance
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Development of the redesigned labs
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Implement redesigned labs to working environment
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Evaluate and identify the feedback from students.
Labs Design
It has been known that people learn in different ways. Therefore, the labs were designed according to Honey and Mumford’s Learning Styles which are learning approaches that individuals naturally prefer.
Team have added activities to the labs to match each learning style so that students are extended in their knowledge.
Please browse the labs design page to see some exercises samples
Future Recommendations & Enhancement
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These labs can be used for preparing for Cisco Certifications.
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These labs can be implemented as level 7 networking course materials Weltec next year at.
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Additional lab exercises can be added in future.
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From marketing perspective, we have created this website.
Resultes
The project team was able to redesign 20 labs :
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10 labs for IT7369 (Advanced Routing)
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10 labs for IT7370 (Advanced Switching)
Leasons Learned
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Team Communication and Management Importance
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Team skills implementation in the project.
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The server room used for testing the labs could be occupied by other Weltec student even at night
Tools Used during the Project
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CCNP Route 6.0 Lab Manual
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CCNP Switch 6.0 Lab Manual
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Cisco Catalyst 2960 Series Switches
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Cisco Catalyst 3560 Series Switches
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Cisco 1841 Series Routers
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Graphical Network Simulator 3 (GNS3)
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Cisco Packet Tracer Software
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ExamView Test Generator
