Exploratory learning for wireless networking

Computer networks--Study and teaching;Computer networks--Simulation methods;Wireless communication systems;Virtual reality in education

Sturgeon, Thomas ; Allison, Colin ; Allison, Colin

University:University of St Andrews

Department:Computer Science (School of)

关键词: Computer networks--Study and teaching;    Computer networks--Simulation methods;    Wireless communication systems;    Virtual reality in education;   

Others  :  https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/10023/1702/ThomasSturgeonPhDThesis.pdf?sequence=6&isAllowed=y

来源: DR-NTU

【 摘 要 】

Thisdissertationhighlightstheimportanceofcomputernetworkingeducationandthechallengesin engagingandeducatingstudents.Anexploratorylearningapproachisdiscussedwithreferenceto otherlearning modelsandtaxonomies.Itisfeltthatanexploratorylearningapproachtowireless networks improves student engagement and perceived educational value. Inordertosupportexploratorylearningandimprovetheeffectivenessofcomputernetworking educationtheWiFiVirtualLaboratory(WiFiVL)hasbeendeveloped.Thisframeworkenables studentsto access a powerful network simulator withoutthe barrier oflearning aspecialised systems programminglanguage. The WiFiVL has been designedto provide “anytime anywhere” accessto a self-paced or guided exploratory learning environment. Theinitialframework wasdesignedtoenableuserstoaccessanetworksimulatorusingan HTML form embedded in a web page.Users could construct a scenario wherein multiple wireless nodes were situated.Traffic links between the nodes were also specified using the form interface.The scenario is then translated into a portable format, a URL, and simulated using the WiFiVL framework detailed in thisdissertation.Theresultingsimulationisplayedbacktotheuseronawebpage,viaaFlash animation. Thisinitialapproach wasextendedtoexploitthe greater potentialforinteractionafforded bya Rich Internet Application (RIA), referred to as WiFiVL II. Thedissertationalsodetailstheexpansionof WiFiVLintotherealmof3-dimensional,immersive, virtualworlds.Itisshownhowthesevirtualworldscanbeexploitedtocreateanengagingand educationalvirtuallaboratoryforwirelessnetworks.Throughouteachdevelopmentthesupporting framework has been re-used and has proved capable of supporting multiple interfaces and views. Eachoftheimplementationsdescribedinthisdissertationhasbeenevaluatedwithlearnersin undergraduateandpostgraduatedegreesattheUniversityofStAndrews.Theresultsvalidatethe efficacy of a virtual laboratory approach for supporting exploratory learning for wireless networks.