A Comparative Study of Simulated and Hands-on Experiments in Teaching Computer Networks Laboratory Course

Refik Caglar Kizilirmak; Abylaikhan Kassayev; Ikechi A. Ukaegbu

doi:10.1109/EDUCON54358.2023.10125188

A Comparative Study of Simulated and Hands-on Experiments in Teaching Computer Networks Laboratory Course

Refik Caglar Kizilirmak, Abylaikhan Kassayev, Ikechi A. Ukaegbu

Nazarbayev University

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper examines the preferences of undergraduate students for two distinct laboratory formats in a computer networks course. The laboratory activities require students to construct various network scenarios to develop their abilities in designing, developing, and assessing computer networks. In each assignment, students construct and evaluate a specific network scenario using a simulation tool, Cisco Packet Tracer, followed by physically executing the same work with network equipment such as PCs, switches, and routers. Through a survey, this study evaluates the students' learning experiences and preferences for the two lab formats. The results indicate that computer simulations are as effective as hands-on work in comprehending the concepts taught in the course. Additionally, the students expressed no particular preference between the two lab formats and found that the formats complemented each other.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	EDUCON 2023 - IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, Proceedings
Publisher	IEEE Computer Society
ISBN (Electronic)	9798350399431
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON54358.2023.10125188
Publication status	Published - 2023
Event	14th IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, EDUCON 2023 - Salmiya, Kuwait Duration: May 1 2023 → May 4 2023

Publication series

Name	IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, EDUCON
Volume	2023-May
ISSN (Print)	2165-9559
ISSN (Electronic)	2165-9567

Conference

Conference	14th IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, EDUCON 2023
Country/Territory	Kuwait
City	Salmiya
Period	5/1/23 → 5/4/23

Funding

This work was supported by Scientific and Technical Projects (AP14871109), funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Nazarbayev University (grant no. 11022021CRP1507, 021220FD0451)

Keywords

Computer networking laboratory course
student experiments

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Information Systems and Management
Education
General Engineering

Access to Document

10.1109/EDUCON54358.2023.10125188

Cite this

Kizilirmak, R. C., Kassayev, A., & Ukaegbu, I. A. (2023). A Comparative Study of Simulated and Hands-on Experiments in Teaching Computer Networks Laboratory Course. In EDUCON 2023 - IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, Proceedings (IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, EDUCON; Vol. 2023-May). IEEE Computer Society. https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON54358.2023.10125188

A Comparative Study of Simulated and Hands-on Experiments in Teaching Computer Networks Laboratory Course. / Kizilirmak, Refik Caglar; Kassayev, Abylaikhan; Ukaegbu, Ikechi A.
EDUCON 2023 - IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, Proceedings. IEEE Computer Society, 2023. (IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, EDUCON; Vol. 2023-May).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Kizilirmak, RC, Kassayev, A & Ukaegbu, IA 2023, A Comparative Study of Simulated and Hands-on Experiments in Teaching Computer Networks Laboratory Course. in EDUCON 2023 - IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, Proceedings. IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, EDUCON, vol. 2023-May, IEEE Computer Society, 14th IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, EDUCON 2023, Salmiya, Kuwait, 5/1/23. https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON54358.2023.10125188

@inproceedings{6eedf26483d34034912e6303077f0d74,

title = "A Comparative Study of Simulated and Hands-on Experiments in Teaching Computer Networks Laboratory Course",

abstract = "This paper examines the preferences of undergraduate students for two distinct laboratory formats in a computer networks course. The laboratory activities require students to construct various network scenarios to develop their abilities in designing, developing, and assessing computer networks. In each assignment, students construct and evaluate a specific network scenario using a simulation tool, Cisco Packet Tracer, followed by physically executing the same work with network equipment such as PCs, switches, and routers. Through a survey, this study evaluates the students' learning experiences and preferences for the two lab formats. The results indicate that computer simulations are as effective as hands-on work in comprehending the concepts taught in the course. Additionally, the students expressed no particular preference between the two lab formats and found that the formats complemented each other.",

keywords = "Computer networking laboratory course, student experiments",

author = "Kizilirmak, \{Refik Caglar\} and Abylaikhan Kassayev and Ukaegbu, \{Ikechi A.\}",

note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by Scientific and Technical Projects (AP14871109), funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Nazarbayev University (grant no. 11022021CRP1507, 021220FD0451) Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023 IEEE.; 14th IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, EDUCON 2023 ; Conference date: 01-05-2023 Through 04-05-2023",

year = "2023",

doi = "10.1109/EDUCON54358.2023.10125188",

language = "English",

series = "IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, EDUCON",

publisher = "IEEE Computer Society",

booktitle = "EDUCON 2023 - IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, Proceedings",

address = "United States",

}

TY - GEN

T1 - A Comparative Study of Simulated and Hands-on Experiments in Teaching Computer Networks Laboratory Course

AU - Kizilirmak, Refik Caglar

AU - Kassayev, Abylaikhan

AU - Ukaegbu, Ikechi A.

N1 - Funding Information: This work was supported by Scientific and Technical Projects (AP14871109), funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Nazarbayev University (grant no. 11022021CRP1507, 021220FD0451) Publisher Copyright: © 2023 IEEE.

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - This paper examines the preferences of undergraduate students for two distinct laboratory formats in a computer networks course. The laboratory activities require students to construct various network scenarios to develop their abilities in designing, developing, and assessing computer networks. In each assignment, students construct and evaluate a specific network scenario using a simulation tool, Cisco Packet Tracer, followed by physically executing the same work with network equipment such as PCs, switches, and routers. Through a survey, this study evaluates the students' learning experiences and preferences for the two lab formats. The results indicate that computer simulations are as effective as hands-on work in comprehending the concepts taught in the course. Additionally, the students expressed no particular preference between the two lab formats and found that the formats complemented each other.

AB - This paper examines the preferences of undergraduate students for two distinct laboratory formats in a computer networks course. The laboratory activities require students to construct various network scenarios to develop their abilities in designing, developing, and assessing computer networks. In each assignment, students construct and evaluate a specific network scenario using a simulation tool, Cisco Packet Tracer, followed by physically executing the same work with network equipment such as PCs, switches, and routers. Through a survey, this study evaluates the students' learning experiences and preferences for the two lab formats. The results indicate that computer simulations are as effective as hands-on work in comprehending the concepts taught in the course. Additionally, the students expressed no particular preference between the two lab formats and found that the formats complemented each other.

KW - Computer networking laboratory course

KW - student experiments

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85162721010&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85162721010&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1109/EDUCON54358.2023.10125188

DO - 10.1109/EDUCON54358.2023.10125188

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:85162721010

T3 - IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, EDUCON

BT - EDUCON 2023 - IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, Proceedings

PB - IEEE Computer Society

T2 - 14th IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, EDUCON 2023

Y2 - 1 May 2023 through 4 May 2023

ER -

A Comparative Study of Simulated and Hands-on Experiments in Teaching Computer Networks Laboratory Course

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Funding

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this