About Edward
Edward Norton spent the first half of his career running enterprise networks, and the second half building the virtual lab environments that teach the next generation of engineers how to do the same. He holds an MS in Network Engineering, a BS in Computer Science, and certifications including CCNP Enterprise, VCP, and RHCE. Edward writes about why hands-on practice beats video, how to structure lab work for retention, and what makes a lab environment actually good.
Hands-On LabsNetwork EngineeringVirtualizationTraining Design
Articles by Edward
Network+
Hands-On Practice for Network+: A Lab-First Approach
Why a lab-first approach beats lectures for Network+ retention and exam performance.
Feb 12, 2026 11 min read
Learning
Why Hands-On Practice Matters More Than Video
The data on why active practice consistently outperforms passive video for technical skill acquisition.
Feb 2, 2026 10 min read
Learning
How Lab-Based Learning Helps You Retain Concepts
The cognitive science behind why hands-on labs build long-term retention.
Jan 18, 2026 11 min read