Course Not Just For Computer Specialists - Attracts Students Who See The Benefits For Other Careers
Students in grade 11 at Séminaire Saint-Joseph knew they wanted to take the Cisco Certified Network Academy (CCNA) course. The class of 30 students was made up of ten who intended to go into computer science in the future; the others, though, realized they would benefit greatly from the course.
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| "With a good teacher and all the tools that Cisco gave me, it was okay. . . . Anytime we had a question, he (Lamy) was there with an answer." - Dave Beaudoin, Student |
Offered by the Cisco Network Academy? Program, the CCNA course was available at the school in Trois Rivières, Québec, but there was a problem. The two year course was offered at a lower grade level and the students were graduating in one year. Their savior was teacher Jean Claude Lamy.
Lamy, a former music teacher who switched to computers after discovering them as an aide to writing music, taught the course in one year. His students liked the challenge of doing the CCNA in half the time and Lamy instilled in them the confidence that they could do it.
He says even though only ten of the 30 students plan to specialize in computer science, all understand the benefits of taking the course. "I had already talked to them and they knew whatever career you embark upon, computers and networks will be part of your life. The knowledge you take from this course will be useful your whole life and will be an advantage when you apply for jobs later in your career," Lamy says.
Dave Beaudoin does plan to pursue a career in computer science. By taking his CCNA now he will not have to do it when he continues his education, an advantage he'll have over other students. It was a challenge to do the course in one year, but Beaudoin says, "With a good teacher and all the tools that Cisco gave me, it was okay." He praises Lamy for his ability to meet the students' needs. "Anytime we had a question, he was there with an answer," he says.
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| "I really learned a lot about networks, which is a big part of computer science. I also learned even if there is a lot of work to do, you can do it if you work hard enough. " - Richard Bergeron, Student |
Bergeron really enjoyed the course. "I learned a lot about networks, which is a big part of computer science. I also learned even if there is a lot of work to do, you can do it if you work hard enough. It was a great experience for me and the rest of the class."
Their teacher is effusive in his support of the program for all his students, future computer science specialists or not. Lamy says, "Students of today should get all the possible tools to meet the challenges of the future. These challenges will be met via information technology and the CCNA offers the students an incredible chance to be a winner."
September 2004
