Simulations, performance assessment, and games for teaching ICT skills are the focus of qualitative and quantitative educational research being done by the Cisco Networking Academy. The latest technology updates and research on the Packet Tracer simulation and visualization software, Packet Tracer-based performance assessments, and Packet Tracer-based games will be presented.

We at the Cisco Networking Academy are currently engaged in a spectrum of educational research to document the impact of simulations, performance assessment, and games in teaching and learning ICT skills. Recent work on the Packet Tracer simulation and visualization software, Packet Tracer-based performance assessments, and a Packet Tracer simulation-based game, Aspire (formerly known as Network City; a strategic simulation and quest game for building networks and developing ICT and entrepreneurship skills), are presented. Our approach to interaction design of educational experiences will be briefly summarized, as will be the updates on the latest innovations in Academy software. Early results from a variety of investigations will be shared, pointing the way towards emerging best practices and collaboration possibilities.

Dennis Frezo, Senior Manager, Cisco Systems