GRADING CRITERIA
This course contains seven modules. The contents and grading for each module are listed below. The grades for each module will be weighted by its credit hours and then all weighted module grades will be averaged to determine the final score for the course. See the next page for details.
First you will complete a course pre-test; based on your score you will either move to the credit for prior learning section (see below), or you will proceed to the first module.
Each module contains a module pre-test (where you can also obtain credit for prior learning—see below). Most modules contain a single unit, with two exceptions. Module CIT 1613 contains six units and module CIT 1617 contains two units. You will complete the following activities in each module. Each activity is described below.
- Intro Video
- Reading Assignment
- Recap
- Lab Assignment
- Practice Test(s)
- Post Module Test
Intro Video
Each module or unit within a module will contain a video discussing some of the important topics within that module or unit. Although not a requirement to view, you should watch as it may cover material in an alternate manner that can be helpful in understanding the material. Note that the videos will not cover all of the material in a given module or unit, but that does not mean you should skip that material.
Reading Assignment
Each module or unit will have a reading assignment for you to complete. The reading will be in the online curriculum in the Cisco Network Academy. This is the primary method for getting exposure to the material so it is very important that you complete the reading and activities included in the curriculum. You should not skip any of the assigned reading unless directed by the instructor.
Recap
Each module or unit will contain a series of activities contained in a recap. Completion of these recaps will contribute to your grade for the module and hence your grade for the class. You are allowed to attempt the recaps multiple times and in some cases you may be required to complete activities successfully before continuing. You are encouraged to attempt the recaps until you score 100% on them.
Lab Assignment
Each module will contain a lab assignment, which will contribute to your grade for the module. Most of these will be performed in Packet Tracer, a software package from Cisco available for free to all Network Academy students. Look in the Blackboard course under Resources for instructions on downloading and installing. If a module contains more than one unit, there will only be a single Lab Assignment for the entire module and will be located in the last unit of the module.
Practice Test(s)
You take practice tests for each module to prepare for the Post Module Test. The practice tests will be in the Network Academy and you may take them up to a maximum of 10 attempts. They will count toward your grade for a module.
Post Module Test
When you have completed the activities and lab assignment for a module you will then take the Post Module Test. The questions will mostly focus on the material contained in that particular module, but may include material from previous modules. Note that not only does the Post Module Test contribute to your grade for a module, but you must also score at least 70% to continue to the next module. You will have two tries to successfully pass the Post Module Test; however, the last score will be used. After the second failed attempt to score 70% or higher, a meeting may be required with the instructor before you can proceed to make sure you are understanding the concepts presented in the module.
Pre-Assessment Exam
The course will have one course pre-assessment to determine any prior learning of content. Each module will also require the completion of a Pre Module Test. This will allow you to see what areas you are strong in and what areas need additional work. If you complete the Course or Module Pre-Assessment Exam with a 90% or higher score, you will have the option of proceeding to the course or module post-test (called the Credit for Prior Learning or CPL Assessment), which if passed successfully will allow you to obtain credit for this module and proceed to the next module to gain credit for prior learning. Read more below about Credit for Prior Learning. In order to achieve credit for prior learning you must score a 90% on both the course or module pre-assessment, and course or module CPL post-assessment. If you do not achieve the required score, you will be directed to complete the entire module. All pre-assessments ARE NOT calculated in the overall grade for each module and for the overall grade of the course. There is no penalty to attempt the Course CPL post-assessment. All pre-assessment and CPL exams are presented one question at a time, are timed, and will auto-submit at the end of the time frame given for the exam.
Credit for Prior Learning
KCTCS Online open-entry course modules are based on the goal that students will demonstrate mastery of content. Through KCTCS Online, students have the opportunity to receive credit for prior learning. To receive this credit, students must demonstrate mastery of the course module competencies through the following steps:
- Take the pre-test. The pre-test may only be taken once. If the score on the pre-test meets a level of pre-determined competency, the student will have the option to immediately take the post-test.
- If the student demonstrates mastery of competencies on the post-test, a final grade will be awarded and the student will receive credit for the course. The final grade is based upon the actual score earned on the post-test along with any other assignments affecting the final course grade.
- If the student does not demonstrate mastery of competencies on the post-test, the student must remain enrolled in the course module until successfully completing all of the course module requirements and the post-test, or until the end date of the course module- whichever comes first. Upon the end date of the course module, the student will receive a final grade earned based on completed assignments and post-test scores.
Summary of Tasks
Task |
Percentage |
---|---|
Recaps |
20% |
Lab Assignments |
30% |
Practice Tests |
15% |
Post Module Tests |
35% |
Total |
100% |
All assignments, projects, and assessments will be graded within 24-48 hours of submission. See Final Grading Calculation for how the score received for this module will calculate into the final grade for the full course.
Final Grading Calculation
This course is presented as a full (or parent) course with chunks of content called modules (because these modules can be taken separately). You will receive a score for each module. The score for each module is averaged together (weighted by credit hour of each module) to determine your final grade for the full (or parent) course. The percentage score received for each module will be multiplied by the credit hours of the module to give a total module percentage. Each of the total module percent scores will be added together then divided by the total credit hour of the full (or parent) course to obtain a final percentage score for the course. Based on where the final percentage score falls on the grade scale will determine the final letter grade to be posted for the student.
Module |
Percentage Score Received for each Module |
Credit Hours |
Total Percentage |
---|---|---|---|
CIT 1611: Network Basics |
X 0.3 |
|
|
CIT 1612: Protocol Models |
X 0.4 |
+ |
|
CIT 1613: OSI Layer Operations |
X 0.6 |
+ |
|
CIT 1614: Basic IP Addressing |
X 0.7 |
+ |
|
CIT 1615: IP Subnetting |
|
X 1.0 |
+ |
CIT 1616: Ethernet Networks |
|
X 0.5 |
+ |
CIT 1617: Configuring Switches and Routers |
|
X 0.5 |
+ |
|
Total Credit Hours> |
4 |
|
|
Final Percentage Score> |
|
Grading Scale
The following grading scale will be used to assess your overall average for all course related assignments and exams.
A - 90 – 100%
B - 80 – 89.9%
C - 70 – 79.9%
E - 69.9% or below
Incompletes are not given for this course. You are expected to work at a consistent pace throughout the course and complete all course work by the course end date.