April 22 - Happy Earth Day

Computer Networking Program

Program ReviewPaul Chanley and Lori Heymans

Spring 2008

Computer Networking Program Mission

The Computer Network Certificate prepares students for success in the changing world of computer technology by providing both theoretical knowledge and hands-on application skills required to identify and perform multiple tasks that support computer networks.

Graduates are able to implement, manage and troubleshoot existing computer networks and servers based on the Microsoft Windows platform. In addition, graduates of the certificate are able to begin a career in Computer Networking at a number of entry-level positions.

The Computer Network Certificate program also provides

a path for continuing education for graduates who decide to pursue an Associate Degree in Electronic Technology - Computer System Option at NECC.

Computer Networking ProgramOccupations

Network Administrators and Systems Administrators:

Design, install, and support an organization’s local-area network (LAN), wide-area network (WAN), network segment, Internet, or intranet system. They maintain network hardware and software, analyze problems, and monitor the network to ensure its availability to system users. Median annual earnings $48K +/-

Computer Networking ProgramOccupations

Computer Support Specialists:

Provide technical assistance, support, and advice to customers and other users. This occupational group includes technical support specialists and help-desk technicians.

Troubleshooters hardware, software, and system problems.

Median annual earnings $44K +/-

Program StrengthsComputer Network Program

Computer Networking Program Strengths

Course Sequence and Content: The Computer Network Certificate has

been specifically redesigned to be completed in one year.

Opportunity to start at an entry-level position in the technical workforce.

Computer Networking Program Strengths

Course Sequence and Content (cont): The sequence of courses is well

formulated and increases in degree of difficulty and complexity.

Critical thinking and problem solving are key components in the coursework.

Students build confidence in their skills as they progress through the program.

Computer Networking Program Strengths

Course Sequence and Content (cont):

The course content is designed to adapt with technological advances as they emerge in the networking industry

Computer Networking Program Strengths

Computer Network Lab Equipment and Classroom Environment:

Program has state-of-the-art classrooms and labs.

Instructors offer multiple avenues to engage the students in learning.

This high tech and “hands-on” environment is a differentiator.

Computer Networking Program Strengths

Articulation Agreements with Local High Schools: Established articulation agreements between NECC

Electronic Technology Program and ten high schools in the Greater Merrimack Valley.

Secured 18 credit articulation agreement between NECC and Whittier Technical High School, (May 2007).

Working with GLTHS to secure the same 18 credit articulation agreement (2008).

Developed Applied Technical Math articulation agreement between NECC and Haverhill and Methuen High Schools, (May 2007).

Computer Networking Program Strengths

Collaborative Partnerships:

Faculty serve on advisory boards:

Merrimack College’s Computer Science/Information Technology Merrimack College’s Electrical/Computer Engineering Northeastern University’s Engineering Technology Middlesex Community College Whittier Technical High School Greater Lawrence Technical High School

Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development MVOTEC Museum of Science: PowerUp, (July 2004-present) Museum of Science: ATLAS, (July 2007) Museum of Science: EIE, (July 2008)

Computer Networking Program Strengths

Collaborative Partnerships (cont.):

Massachusetts Department of Education: Summer Content Institutes, (2006 and 2007)

Northeastern University RET Program Nanotechnology, (2006)

NECC Computer Network/Electronic Technology Advisory Board (May 2007)

Northeastern STEP (2007)

PROGRAM CHALLENGES Computer Networking Program

Computer Networking Program Challenges

Student Enrollment:

Lucent Technology was a great recruiting center.• Robust training program for the workforce, (1998-2003).• Displaced workers enrolled in the Computer Network Certificate

program with the support of government grants, (2003-2005). Solid recruiting/marketing plan has been established and

implemented to attract more students.• Developed however we have budget constraints

We currently have students helping with marketing through BAYTEC, but a halftime person would be most beneficial.

Computer Networking Program Challenges

Student Enrollment (cont):

Current marketing and recruiting efforts:• Workshops for local high and middle school teachers• Articulation agreements with local high schools• Visits to local middle and high schools• Technology Day at NECC

Activities need to be expanded and supported by additional marketing and financial resources.

“Best Practices in Student Recruitment” has been developed; needs resources behind it.

Computer Networking Program Challenges

Student Enrollment (cont):

The progression from Computer Network Certificate to an Associates’ Degree offers a narrow and incomplete career path which has led to lower enrollment.

Students are limited to the Electronic Technology program with the Computer Systems option at NECC. It is likely that students will choose to pursue other avenues outside of NECC such as competitive technical and training programs to continue their advance networking education.

The CTE Department needs to invest time and effort to create an alternate education pathway for the students not choosing the Electronic Technology with the Computer Systems option.

Computer Networking Program Challenges

Faculty:

One full-time CTE faculty member supporting the program.

Cross-training/Redeploying the CTE faculty members would help supplement and support the upper-level courses in the certificate.

Professional development needs to be done by faculty to keep up with cutting edge technology.

Computer Networking Program Challenges

Course Scheduling:

Additional detail review needs to be done for the Computer Network Program.

CTE has made some modifications to the F08 and Sp09 scheduling to accommodate a better flow of course offering, but additional review is required.

Also, a plan should be established to increase courses offered online, web-enhanced or as a hybrid of both approaches.

Computer Networking Program Challenges

Content Redundancy: Apparent redundancy in course subject

content, this will require additional detailed evaluation.

Analysis of Introduction to Information Technology (CTN110) and Introduction to Computer Science (CIS120) needs to be evaluated.

Computer Networking Program Challenges

Computer Network and Additional Labs: The Computer Network Certificate

curriculum needs to incorporate additional current job related lab work.

The additional hands-on labs will reflect the current job skills of today’s workforce as noted from the U.S. Department of Labor, and Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition.

PROGRAM SUMMARYComputer Networking Program

Computer Networking ProgramSummary

Strong Job Outlook with Good Pay (38.4% increase)

Computer Networking ProgramSummary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that 6 out of the 10 fastest job growth areas for the next decade are in computing. The Bureau also estimates that the professional IT workforce will grow at more than twice the rate of the overall workforce and account for 1 in 19 new jobs.

New growth areas: % Increase in

Jobs

Network and Computer Systems Admin. +38.4 Computer Software Engineers +46.1 Computer Software Engineers, Apps +48.4 Database Administrators +38.2 Data Communications Analysts +54.6

Computer Networking ProgramSummary

Solid Course Sequence and Content State-of-the-Art Classrooms and Lab

Equipment Experienced, Dedicated Faculty Great Relationships with Collaborative

Partners: Four-Year Institutions, Local High Schools and Industry

Computer Networking Program Summary

Key Action Items:

The additional hands-on labs will reflect the current job skills of today’s workforce as noted from the U.S. Department of Labor, and Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition.

Market the program aggressively to increase student enrollment.

Maintain quality of high-tech, hands-on teaching through continuous professional development and improvement in course content, partnerships and equipment.

Program ReviewComments

Thank You:

Our Department, Computer Technology and Engineering for their continuous support, and great sense of humor

Ellen Wentland for her detailed instructions

Ginny Anderson for sharing her expertise with the current demand in the local workforce