Computer & information science

How Cisco Flex Classes Work

WHY THE FLEX COURSE?

Cuyamaca College understands the busy IT professional's schedule, as well as those who are interested in pursuing networking careers. Flex courses offer the opportunity to tailor your educational needs to your working schedule.

• Flexible schedule
• Learn at your own pace
• Assistance is always available
• Finish class anytime during the semester

WHAT IS A FLEX COURSE?

A flex course is a self-paced, individualized course that allows you to start a class at any time during the first eight weeks of the semester and then work at your own pace, as long as the course is completed by the end of the semester. To complete the course, follow the syllabus, read and follow your textbook/online curriculum, complete knowledge and skills-based assignments, and take exams. In addition to the course requirements, students are required to spend 48 classroom hours with an instructor present during the flex lab hours (see below).

FLEX LAB HOURS

Tuesday • 5:00 - 10:00 PM
Wednesday • 5:00 - 10:00 PM
Thursday • 5:00 - 10:00 PM

Additional "Open Lab" hours will be posted on the white board in Room E-207.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Students use the syllabus and other course documents to guide their progress through each of the flex courses during a semester. Course materials are provided using the Cisco Networking Academy Online Curriculum (CCNA classes only) and an online course management system (BlackBoard). Blackboard contains proprietary class materials, assignments and announcements. Course assignments are posted on the BlackBoard assignment page for each specific class. Click the links in BlackBoard/Cisco Netacad for instructions, demonstrations, presentations, etc. Students are responsible for reading the assigned Cisco curriculum and completing all learning activities on their own, although help is available from instructors and Cisco tutors (hours to be announced).

Check the BlackBoard home page for general announcements and for announcements specific to your course.

GETTING STARTED

• Complete the orientation
• Create/Activate Cisco Networking Academy Account
• Read entire syllabus
• Review textbook(s) and online curriculum
• Log in and out each time you attend class
• E-mail your instructor - Keep in touch!!

MINIMUM REQUIRED HOURS PER SEMESTER

• College Attendance Policy
• Minimum hours in classroom with instructor - 48
• Incomplete grades are not allowed.

HOURS REQUIRED

• Courses can be completed at an accelerated pace but students must attend a minimum of 48 classroom hours
• No maximum - Work as many hours as you want!
• Login with college student ID card to record classroom hours
• Red Canyon software is the only method for tracking your hours of classroom attendance.

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Important Notes Concerning Red Canyon

Instructors do not record student attendance so you must login and logout using Red Canyon or you will not receive any credit for those hours spent in the classroom!
(i.e. 0 hours of attendance)

If you sign onto Red Canyon and forget to sign out, you will receive only one (1) hour of classroom attendance. (Please don't forget to sign out).

POLICIES

• No food or drink permitted at workstations (this includes water).
• Children are not allowed in lab.
• Bring your course syllabus/schedule, reference book, and a portable storage device (flash drive, etc.) to each lab session.
• Duplication of software and proprietary curriculum is not permitted.
• Students are here to concentrate in a quiet atmosphere.
• Turn off cell phones and pagers!!!
• Be courteous to others.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

• Although teamwork is encouraged for accomplishing assignments, student knowledge and skills are tested and graded on an individual basis.
• Cheating will not be tolerated!!!
• NEVER give or receive help on exams.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

• The penalty for violating Flex Lab Policies regarding Academic Honesty may range from a "0" on the test or assignment, to an "F" in the course, to other disciplinary measures.
• See the 2010-2011 Cuyamaca College catalog: ACADEMIC HONESTY and ACADEMIC HONESTY/DISHONESTY POLICIES.

ASSIGNMENTS

• Lab assignments provide students with an opportunity to learn networking skills that correspond to the knowledge-based reading assignments.
• Completion of the lab assignments is important for enhancing understanding of the reading assignments.
• Turn in assignments as you complete them. Do NOT wait until the end of the semester.
• Assignments MUST be completed in the order listed on your syllabus.
• NEVER "skip" assignments or tests.
• All assignments, including case studies, must be completed 7 days prior to finals week. No assignments will be accepted during finals week.

EXAMS

• Take exams at designated points in the syllabus.
• Skipped exams will be given a grade of "0" (zero) points.
• Chapter exams must be taken in the classroom.
• When taking exams in the lab, you must start in time to finish it before lab closes.
• Both the final comprehensive online exam and skills-based exam must be taken in the classroom (closed book and no notes).
• Skills-based exams need to be scheduled one week ahead.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

• Read your syllabus.
• Read your textbook or online curriculum! (This is your primary source of information for learning the course material)
• Bring your syllabus, book and flash drive every class visit.
• Begin class NOW and attend regularly.
• Check BlackBoard regularly for updates and announcements.
• Notify a staff member of any problems you are having. (We want to help you succeed.).
• Need help? Ask. (We want to help you succeed)
• Refer to your textbook and syllabus.
• Access the help feature in your software.
• Ask an instructor or lab assistant for help. We want to help you succeed)
• E-mail your instructor.
• Dropping the course is your responsibility.
• Instructor may drop inactive students, so be sure you attend class on a regular basis.
• We want you to succeed!!!

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