The United States currently needs 350,000 computer networking professionals and an additional 1.3 million by the year 2005.  Many adults, including displaced military personnel, recent GED recipients, and those with disabilities or special needs, want to begin or advance careers in networking.  However, most of these adults do not have adequate access to training due to high cost and limited availability. 

In order to meet this need, Arizona State University and Cisco Systems are developing on-line networking and information technology curriculum materials that include graphics, video, hands-on virtual labs, and simulations.  The nationwide integrated training program, the e-Learning Network, is providing 100,000 adult learners low cost, anytime, anywhere quality networking instruction and preparing adult learners for two existing industry certification examinations: the Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) and the Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNP).

As of October 2001, the online CCNA and CCNP curricula have been completed and disseminated through the Cisco Networking Academies in high schools, community colleges, and other vendors.  Cisco Press has published textbooks and lab companions for both of these curricula.  Additionally, ASU has completed several lessons in the online Information Technology Fundamentals (ITF) curriculum which are available through the ASU e-Learning Network website.  The ITF curriculum is intended to prepare learners for the CCNA courses as well as provide computer literacy for a wider population.

Formative and summative evaluation of the networking courses is in process and is being conducted by Rockman et al. with the assistance of Cisco Systems and 10 pilot sites around the country. 

You may also download the original grant proposal and abstract on our Publications page.