GCSE Computer Science and the Cisco Networking Academy

Elizabeth Barr, Head of the Cisco Networking Academy UK & Ireland and Christine Swan, visiting Lecturer in Secondary Computer Science and IT Education at Birmingham City University

The current drive to teach students how to code is valuable, as this is one of the cornerstones of computer science. However, there are other curriculum areas which are also important for student knowledge, including networking.

Networks are core to our digital society. Networks draw on the concepts of rules and syntax, structured problem solving, and balancing ease of implementation against performance and efficiency. Skills in this area are very much in demand and can provide a path to many exciting careers. 

The challenge for teachers is always: “But where can I find resources to do this” – often quickly followed by “I am not a specialist in networks”. So how can we solve this challenge?

Who are Cisco, and how can they help?

Cisco is an industry-leading company in networking and cyber security which has been developing UK and Ireland networks for more than 30 years. They have a Networking Academy programme to train future network engineers and computer scientists and foster the technical and entrepreneurial skills that people, educators and companies need to change the world for the better.  

The Networking Academy programme has trained over 450,000 people across 320 academies. 89% of people who complete their professional certification courses find jobs or education opportunities directly as a result.

How does this link to the GCSE curriculum?

Did you know that OCR worked with Cisco to align the J277 GCSE Computer Science networking content to industry standards with Cisco?

Working together means that Cisco’s courses and support can provide teachers with free industry standard teaching and learning! 

The GCSE Computer Science is closely aligned with Cisco’s Networking Basics course, which includes the following modules:

1. Getting online: Covers basic terminology, LANs, and WANs and how communication systems work. 
2. Network protocols and architecture: Covers protocols and their purpose, plus TCP/IP, the role of IP, and wired and wireless communication.
3. Data communication and network services: Covers the top two layers of TCP/IP, looks at DNS as well.
4. Home network basics: Adds understanding of practical experience of networks in real life. This module group includes the basics of setting up a home network, security considerations and potential threats, as well as troubleshooting processes. The emphasis on practical application and logical thinking is beneficial to so many areas of computing and pupils have ample opportunity to practice using Packet Tracer.
5. Introduction to Cisco networking: This module is not directly linked to GCSE, but it does provide an excellent development point around future careers and tools that network engineers use.

Teaching networking for the OCR GCSE Computer Science

Cisco’s Networking Academy programme provides resources which are chunked into manageable blocks, with links between concepts so that learning is holistic and logically ordered. The Cisco Networking Academy also makes great use of practical lab work, videos, animations and audio. This ensures that content is brought to life and adds clarity to the topics.

Many schools face challenges with budgets. Networking equipment is certainly expensive; however the Cisco Networking Academy can solve this through use of virtual labs. The programme also offers free, unlimited access to a powerful network simulator called Packet Tracer. Packet Tracer allows pupils to explore setting up and using networks, accessing consoles and terminals, and using powerful tools like ‘ping’ and ‘ipconfig’. 

Packet Tracer removes security and network challenges at centre level. Packet Tracer is remote and poses no internal threats to network management in schools. It removes the many limitations that may be faced internally. The user interface is simple and should allow all students to access its content.

Students can access Cisco Networking Academy resources and Packet Tracer by enrolling in one of the Cisco Networking Academy’s introductory network courses.

Benefits of using the Cisco Networking Academy’s Networking Basics course!

Networking Basics provides students with up-to-date content that adds value to learning by covering the basics of the curriculum and more. It also provides students with structured learning that they can complete outside of the classroom. Upon completion, students will earn a Cisco-accredited Digital Badge hosted on Credly that helps them stand out from the crowd.

As a Cisco Academy, you gain unlimited, free access to tools such as Packet Tracer as well as countless customisable quizzes and assessments. Teachers can view and monitor students’ progress through the courses. When your school joins as a Cisco Academy, you also become part of the learning community which allows sharing of ideas and the ability to develop teaching practice together. 

How do I register to become an Academy?

To start with, you’ll need to fill out this form which takes less than 5 minutes. A representative from the Cisco Networking Academy team will then contact you to share more about the programme and how we can best support your organisation.

The next steps are to sign a membership agreement and to select an Academy Support Centre (ASC). The NetAcad partner ecosystem is formed of Academies that deliver content, and Academy Support and Instructor Training Centres that provide support, training, and guidance to the Academies. 

Your ASC will get in contact to help get your Academy up and running and to provide ongoing support, including free instructor training.

Stay connected

If you have any questions, you can email us here at OCR at ComputerScience@ocr.org.uk or support@ocr.org.uk, call us on 01223 553998 or message us on X (formerly Twitter) @OCR_ICT. You can also sign up to subject updates and receive information about resources and support.

About the authors

Elizabeth Barr is the Head of the Cisco Networking Academy UK & Ireland. Elizabeth leads the Cisco Networking Academy programme in the UK & Ireland; a global IT training and education programme that has reached over 20 million learners since inception. 

She is passionate about making the tech industry a more diverse and inclusive space and sits on several industry Boards including Women of Cisco, where she leads STEM outreach initiatives. She also regularly volunteers on programmes that inspire students to pursue STEM subjects and careers and is spearheading several initiatives to promote student diversity through the Cisco Networking Academy.

Christine Swan is a visiting Lecturer in Secondary Computer Science and IT Education at Birmingham City University. She has a long history of teaching and learning experience spanning many years.