CLOUDTech Expansion Project Outcomes Report

Through the Creating Learning Opportunities Utilizing Developing Technologies (CLOUDTech) Expansion Project, Trident Technical College developed curriculum and labs for a series of virtualization and Cloud Computing courses that lead to an academic certificate in Virtualization and Cloud with stackable credentials toward an AAS Network Systems degree, AAS Cybersecurity degree and AAS Computer Technology degree? Information Systems Specialist. These career paths benefits students and employers by addressing a skills gap in an area that has proven to be an emerging technology that will only expand industry usage in near future. This project fostered the development and sharing of curriculum and NETLAB focused hands-on lab exercises with Regional Advanced Technical Education (ATEs) such as Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance (CSSIA), CyberWatch, and Cyber Security Education Consortium (CSEC). The project team participated in a Convergence College Network (CCN) quarterly meeting/webinar that assisted in sharing dissemination opportunities with several colleges nationwide. In addition to curriculum development, professional development opportunities were created for faculty in the areas of Cloud and IT foundational technologies, including Linux, Docker/Containers, VMware and network security. Trident Technical College strengthened industry partnerships through collaboration in developing and reviewing Cloud technology curriculum, laboratories and student learning objectives. Broad dissemination of the curriculum, labs, and other materials developed by the project, including a User's Guide to facilitate adaptation, will impact technical education at post-secondary institutions on a national scale. 

Key accomplishments of the CLOUDTech Expansion Project:

60 hands-on labs were developed utilizing the Red Hat OpenStack, Docker/Containerization and AWS platforms. Faculty development was implemented for PIs, Co-PIs, and other members of faculty focusing on various cloud related technologies. The development and implementation of Cloud workshops were made possible by the grant which promoted exposure of Cloud technologies and opportunities for further training. Trident Technical College maintained its AWS Academy status which will continue to expose students to additional curriculum and lab activities that prepares them for the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification. TTC remains the only two-year public college in South Carolina to become an AWS Academy. Students that major in AAS. Network Systems Management no get at least six credit hours of cloud infrastructure education. Students that major in the Virtualization and Cloud Computing certificate are now also required to take an entry-level Docker/Containers courses before graduating. A 2+2 articulation agreement was created with a local ECPI University which included the two cloud courses that were developed as a result of the CLOUDTech Expansion Grant. The TTC to ECPI Articulation agreement allows students that graduate with the AAS Network Systems Management to transfer to ECPI and earn a BS in Cyber and Network Security. An additional transfer option was created with Charleston Southern University (CSU). Students that complete the AAS. Network Systems Management program that contains 6 credit hours of cloud related courses can continue their education at CSU for 5 additional semesters and obtain a Bachelor of Technology degree. Project team members were able to present demos and literature to high school students at various career fairs in TTC?s service area. This project also allowed the project team to showcase CLOUDTech during 4 NSF ATE PI Conferences. Trident Technical College has also maintained its membership with College Convergence Network (CCN) which created additional dissemination opportunities, while fostering stronger relationships with faculty from similar disciplines across the country.

Last Modified: 12/07/2022
Modified by: Terry W Richburg