1. Cisco Packet Tracer Skills Assessments Overview
Presentation Title
Cisco Packet Tracer Skills Assessments Overview
Topic
Comprehensive overview of Packet Tracer Skills Assessments and the currently available PT Practice SBAs for CCNA courses
Content Date
Valid as of January 2012
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2. Cisco Packet Tracer Skills Assessments Overview
January 2012

3. Contents 1 2 3 4 Networking Academy Assessments
Cisco Packet Tracer Skills Assessments 2
Packet Tracer Practice SBAs 3
We’ll begin with an overview of our Networking Academy assessment offerings and where these new Cisco Packet Tracer Skills Assessments fit in our assessment framework
We will then introduce Packet Tracer Practice SBAs and provide a general overview of the features and benefits and discuss how the exams are used
Finally we’ll provide all the information you need on the release of these exams
Administration, Resources, Support 4

4. Networking Academy Assessments

5. Innovative Assessments Assessments for 21st Century Learning
Research based design
Complex activities, simulations, and question based assessments
Comprehensive assessment and learning architecture
Rich feedback supporting students, instructors and curriculum
Data driven
Ongoing process and quality monitoring
Scalable, online delivery system available 24/7
Globally available and multilingual
Tools to enable instructors to create their own complex, performance based assessments
Assessment is a key component of the comprehensive Networking Academy offering to partnering educational institutions, empowering both the teaching and learning environment and providing the business metrics crucial to sustaining the program.
Key NetAcad differentiators in assessment listed on the slide: 
Research based design - Networking Academy has recruited experts to refine the program’s assessment techniques and implement tools that have formerly been available only for “high-stakes” testing programs. Prior to release, innovative tasks, presentation, and delivery models are analyzed, prototyped, tested and reviewed by the community.
2) Complex activities and simulations and question based assessments - Complex activities and simulations and question based assessments are embedded in the curriculum and online exams assess critical thinking, troubleshooting and problem solving skills.
3) Comprehensive assessment and learning architecture - The integration of Packet Tracer for performance based assessment, curricula and assessment activity, both for student-initiated and instructor-initiated assessment is very strong.
4) Rich feedback support students, instructors and program – Rich feedback to support student learning, instructor effectiveness and future curriculum development.
5) Data driven - We collect data from academies worldwide, applying sophisticated statistical models, and employing backend business intelligence tools to analyze the results. Online data collection enables the program to develop and take advantage of innovative computer-based assessment tools. Consistent online assessments also allow instructors to compare their students’ progress with similar classes around the world.
6) Ongoing process and quality monitoring - Assessments undergo a rigorous multistage quality-control and quality-assurance process. Five edit/review and analysis cycles occur prior to an assessment item being placed on an exam or seen by students for grading. Access to a 24/7 online support system allows an instructor to submit issues with assessment tasks that are corrected in a timely manner as part of an ongoing, data-driven refresh process.
7) Scalable online delivery system available 24/7 - More than 86 million online exams have been delivered in the past 12 years – close to 1M per month currently. More than 30,000 assessment questions and activities housed in a centralized assessment server are delivered using a large-scale online delivery system, The system presents the tasks, scores the results and provides personalized feedback to aid in learning
8) Globally available and multilingual - With students in more than 165 countries, Networking Academy assessments are translated into six UN languages and depending on the need and partnerships in place, some courses and assessments are translated into up to 12 additional languages
9) Tools to enable instructors to create their own complex, performance based assessments - Packet Tracer with the Activity Wizard functionality 5 5

6. Innovative Assessments Assessment Framework
Formative Assessment, Measure Understanding
Knowledge Flow
Formative Assessment, Performance-Based
Student Initiated
Quizzes, Testlets, Drag ‘n Drop
Packet Tracer, Labs, Simulations
Knowledge Flow
Formative Assessment, Measure Understanding
Formative Assessment, Performance-Based
Summative Assessment
In the Cisco Networking Academy program, all assessments are created to help students learn and enrich the comprehensive learning experience. We created this assessment framework to ensure a common understanding of terminology and assessment purpose; and provide a a pedagogical view of the assessment suite. Our assessment offerings include both formative and summative assessments to accommodate varied uses and purposes:
Formative assessments: Provide practice & support to help students master critical concepts. Formative assessments are designed to give detailed feedback about the particular strengths and weaknesses of a student while the student is learning, that relates directly to the curriculum. Chapter quizzes, interactive flash tasks, simulations and Packet Tracer activities embedded throughout the curriculum are examples of formative assessments. These are invaluable tools used by the student for self evaluation.
Summative assessments: Provide an accurate reflection of student content knowledge. Summative assessments are designed to summarize the knowledge or skill sets of a student, and usually cover a broader range of information than formative assessments and provide less detailed feedback.
We offer a whole continuum and breadth of feedback ….(aligns with Global Ed vision)
Activities and quizzes with feedback throughout the curriculum
Packet Tracer activities with feedback and scored results
Online chapter and final exams with multiple choice, flashed based activities, and simulation based items with feedback
Hands-on performance exams, administered on real equipment in person, or on remotely-accessed equipment
Certification practice exams with multiple choice, flashed based activities, and simulation based items with feedback
Click to build: And a new type of formative performance assessment, Packet Tracer Skills Assessments, provides students with a way to assess both their knowledge AND skills using Packet Tracer’s simulated virtual learning environment
Instructor Initiated
Hands-on Skills Based Assessments, Final Exams, Midterms, Packet Tracer
Chapter Exams, Practice Finals
Flash Rich Media, Packet Tracer, Simulations, Packet Tracer Skills Assessments
Cert Practice Exams 6

7. Cisco Packet Tracer Skills Assessments

8. Students Learn By Doing
Networking Academy uses teaching and assessment methods that help students develop the skills needed to succeed in the classroom and on the job
We emphasize the hands-on, “e-doing” aspect of learning to re-enforce skills
Cisco Packet Tracer Skills Assessments help students gain confidence that they can actually perform the tasks they have learned in their courses

9. Packet Tracer Skills Assessments Innovative New Assessment Offering
Authentic tasks, complex and performance based
Rich, immediate feedback
Online, centrally administered environment
Automatically scored and integrated with gradebook
Students practice in familiar simulation environment
Measures performance in addition to knowledge
Allows simultaneous testing for large numbers of students
Practice without accessing real equipment
Helps instill confidence in mastery of learned skills
21st century assessment integrated with networking technology curriculum
The Networking Academy program has always emphasized the hands-on, “e-doing” aspect of learning, which re-enforces skills and helps students gain confidence that they can actually perform the tasks they have learned in the classroom.
Key features/benefits of Packet Tracer Skills Assessments include:
Authentic tasks, complex and performance based
Rich, immediate feedback
feedback helps students assess their mastery of critical networking skills and areas needing improvement
feedback helps instructors gauge teaching effectiveness
Online, centrally administered environment
Automatically scored and integrated with gradebook
Students practice in familiar Packet Tracer simulation environment used in the curriculum
Measures performance in addition to knowledge
Allows simultaneous testing for large numbers of students
Students can take practice exam without accessing real equipment
Students can use Packet Tracer Skills Assessments both inside and outside the classroom, to learn at their own pace, and at their own convenience (Internet connection required)
Helps instill confidence when preparing for the actual hands-on skills exam
Packet Tracer Skills Assessments are an innovative example of 21st century assessment integrated with networking technology curriculum
© 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
Cisco Public 9 9

10. Packet Tracer Skills Assessments Filling in the Missing Pieces
Fixed Response Questions
Packet Tracer
Skills Assessments
Focus
Questions can pinpoint important knowledge and key ideas introduced in specific parts of the curriculum
Students demonstrate their skills and ability to apply concepts and knowledge learned by performing authentic, real-world tasks in a simulated environment
Automated Scoring
Question correctness is easy to score, record in gradebook, understand, and discuss
Packet Tracer allows the authoring of complex and sophisticated scoring rules to assess skills mastery and enable rich reporting
Rich Feedback
Multiple choice questions are tied to personalized feedback that is linked back to the curriculum
Detailed diagnostic feedback on strengths and weaknesses when solving complex problems available for both students and instructors
Alignment
Variety of interactive and rich media formats provide multiple ways to help students learn
Students use same interface and experiences for learning as for performance assessment— embedded in one consistent learning experience
Fixed response or multiple choice questions play a significant role in the overall Networking Academy assessment framework and are appropriate in many circumstances.
Our new Packet Tracer Skills Assessments fill in the gaps and assess student performance and skills – they are a valuable addition to our fixed response question type assessments 10 10

11. Packet Tracer Practice SBAs

12. Practice Assessments Available
PT Practice Skills Based Assessments (SBAs) are the first Packet Tracer Skills Assessments available
Each CCNA and CCNA Security course has a final hands-on skills exam
Administered on real equipment in person, or on remotely-accessed equipment
Assess ability to apply knowledge and perform real skills to succeed in the workforce
PT Practice SBAs provide a technology-based solution to practice for the final hands-on exam
Available for all CCNA Discovery, CCNA Exploration , and CCNA Security courses
Help indicate a student’s readiness for final hands-on exam
Note: PT Practice SBAs were designed to practice for the final summative skills exams on real equipment, not to replace them
© 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
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13. Benefits of Packet Tracer Practice SBAs
Provide students with a way to assess their performance and knowledge of networking concepts and skills
Assessment environment presents complex and authentic tasks, immediately scores the exams, and provides rich, detailed feedback integrated with the gradebook
Helps students and instructors identify areas that need improvement to increase student confidence, satisfaction, and success when preparing for the final hands-on skills exam 13 13

14. PT Practice SBA Exam Experience
The PT Practice SBAs can help students test their competency and knowledge of networking concepts and skills in the familiar Packet Tracer simulation learning environment used in their courses. Practice assessments are immediately scored and provide feedback to help students increase their confidence when preparing for the final hands-on skills exams.
Build sequence for Student Experience:
Students use the same online exam system to start a Packet Tracer SBA
1) The student selects the exam they wish to take, then the Packet Tracer application and exam launch on their desktop
2) The student takes the exam by following the Packet Tracer activity instructions and performing the tasks.
3) Students submit their work when complete or they can save their work and resume at a later date to finish the exam
4) The exam is automatically scored and results are integrated into the course Gradebook
5) Students can access the Gradebook to view their Item Information Page and get rich feedback about areas mastered and where they need additional study and practice
The instructor is also able to view additional feedback and can work with the student to ensure he/she gains the necessary knowledge & practice
Launch
Take Exam
Submit It
Automatically Scored
View Feedback 1 2 3 4 5
© 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
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15. Proficiency Estimates Detailed Scoring Feedback
PT Practice SBA Detailed Feedback Helps Students Identify Areas for Improvement
Proficiency Estimates
Detailed Scoring Feedback
Feedback Detail:
Both students and instructors see:
Proficiency estimates – estimates students skills as none, novice, partial, proficient in a summary table format
Detailed feedback – For every scoring opportunity feedback is provided as to correctness of response
© 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
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16. Access Student Work Product Time Stamped Student Log
PT Practice SBA Feedback Additional Feedback for Instructors
Access Student Work Product
Time Stamped Student Log
Feedback Detail for instructors:
In addition to the proficiency estimates and detailed scoring feedback, the Item Information Page for instructors also includes the actual .pka activity files submitted by students, exam timing statistics, the student’s final running configuration, and a timestamped activity log of every IOS command entered by the student during the exam.
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17. View Proposed Solution
PT Practice SBA Feedback Additional Feedback for Instructors
View Activity
View Proposed Solution
Feedback Detail for instructors:
Instructors can also see the Packet Tracer initial topology and instructions and the answer topology and scripts for the proposed solution
© 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
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18. Administration, Resources and Support

19. PT Practice SBAs Available
CCNA Discovery
Exam Name
Networking for Home and Small Businesses
Dhomesb PT Practice SBA
Working at a Small-to-Medium Business or ISP
DsmbISP PT Practice SBA
Introducing Routing and Switching in the Enterprise
DRSEnt PT Practice SBA
DRSEnt PT Practice SBA2
Designing and Supporting Computer Networks
DCompNtwk PT Practice SBA
CCNA Exploration
Exam Name
Network Fundamentals
Enetwork PT Practice SBA
Routing Protocols and Concepts
Erouting PT Practice SBA
Erouting PT Practice SBA2
LAN Switching and Wireless
Eswitching PT Practice SBA
Accessing the WAN
EWAN PT Practice SBA
PT Practice SBAs provide a technology-based performance assessment for practice purposes
PT Practice SBAs are available for all CCNA Discovery, CCNA Exploration, and CCNA Security courses.
These practice exams were designed to help provide an indication of a student’s readiness for the final hands-on skills exam for each course
PT Practice SBAs are available in English only but are enabled for all course language versions
While there are no plans to translate the PT Practice SBAs at this time, all non-English CCNA courses can still access these exams to provide practice and preparation opportunities for their students
CCNA Security
Exam Name
CCNAS PT Practice SBA
Note: PT Practice SBAs are available in English only but are available for use in non-English classes

20. Activating a PT Practice SBA
Instructors activate an exam from the course Assessment Home page using the normal assessment activation process
Use the default activation settings or modify as needed
Default Value
Comments
Login Period
1 hour
Can be increased up to 14 days
Number of Exam Attempts
20 exam attempts
Allows students to take exam as many times as needed to gain proficiency
Exam Duration
2 hours
Can be adjusted up or down as needed up to a maximum of 10 hours
Activate the PT SBA just like you would for any other assessment 20 20

21. Software Requirements
Required! Packet Tracer or above & Java 1.6 or above
We recommend using the latest version of Packet Tracer
Log in to Academy Connection
Click the Packet Tracer image on the left side of your Home Page
Select Software Downloads then choose the appropriate download option
Both PT or above & Java 1.6 or above are REQUIRED for all Packet Tracer SBAs
We recommend downloading the latest version of Packet Tracer
A link to the PT Skills Assessment Environment Checker is available on the Class homepage for all CCNA courses under View Official Course Material, and on the Assessment resource page in the Course Catalog.
To obtain the latest Java version
Download from
To verify that your local computer has required software
Click the PT Skills Assessment Environment Checker on your class home page

22. Resources for More Information
Packet Tracer Skills Assessment resources available on the Assessment page in Course Catalog
Additional instructor resources available on the Tools Page
At A Glance
FAQ
Overview Presentation
PT Skills Assessment Environment Checker
PT Practice SBA Design Documents
PT Practice SBA Activity Files
If you have questions after reviewing the resources provided, please contact the Networking Academy Global Support Desk for assistance
© 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
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23. Instructor Support Available
Instructors should report issues, errors, or bugs through the Curriculum and Assessment Quality Support site
To access this site, log in to Academy Connection and click Help at the top of the page, then select Curriculum and Assessment Quality Support
Select the Contact Curriculum Team tab, provide as much detail as possible, and then click Submit
To collaborate with other instructors, join the Cisco Packet Tracer Skills Assessments community discussion
To access the discussion board, log in to Academy Connection and click Forums & Chat under Resources, then select Instructor Community > Online Assessment > Cisco Packet Tracer Skills Assessments
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