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Teaching computer networks (both wired and wireless networks) is one of the core topics in computer science curricula for undergraduate students. Recently, a virtualized computer network lab has been used for teaching students to configure network devices, such as routers and switches, to practice in real network configuration scenarios without purchasing network hardware. The virtualized computer network lab provides several educational benefits such as, cost efficiency, less management, and interactive environment.
The first experiment of this study proposed a web-based Hybrid Virtualization Laboratory (HVLab), which integrates network emulators and virtualization technology. Moreover, HVlab requires a collaborative mechanism to facilitate discussion among the experimental students. Meanwhile, the HVLab can support multiple network configuration scenarios (network emulators) for students to practice. In this experiment, the students were divided into an experimental and a control group. The experimental group students perform their lab assignment using HVLab collaboratively with the help of chatting window and web terminal, whereas the control group completed using with web terminal without collaboration. After the experiment, the statistical results showed that the post-test scores of the experimental group were higher than the control group. In addition, when experimental students become more familiar with HVLab with collaborative activities, they outperform the control groups in an in-class and homework assignment. Furthermore, the experimental students perceived that were easy to use the HVLab with collaborative activities and useful for accomplishing assignment and homework. Most of the students also expressed their feeling that they were highly motivated to use HVLab with collaborative activities as a learning tool in the future. Finally, the observation and questionnaire with experimental group showed that collaboration in HVLab was potentially helpful during the experiment.
The second experiment also proposed an instant stepwise guidance (ISG) as a proposed mechanism; which aimed to provide step-by-step guidance for students to practice wireless network configuration. The students were divided into an experimental and control groups. The experimental students were used ISG to accomplish their lab assignment, whereas the control group students used network simulator. This experiment investigates the effect of the proposed mechanism for students learning achievement, learning behavior, cognitive load and face-to-face help. After the experiment, the statistical result showed that the experimental group outperformed the control groups in most of the laboratory activities and post-test. Furthermore, this study found the students that used the proposed mechanism had less cognitive load and face-to-face help than control students. Moreover, the experimental group perceived that the proposed mechanism was easy to use and useful to practice wireless network configuration. Most students also expressed feeling that they were motivated to use the proposed mechanism as a learning tool in near future.
Keyword: Keyword: Hybrid Virtualization, web-based virtualization laboratories, teaching computer network, Simulation based laboratory, instant stepwise guidance, teaching wireless network. | en_US |