The Proceedings of the Information Systems Education Conference 2001: §32b Home Papers/Indices prev (§32a) Next (§32c)

Paper (refereed) IT Education: Best Practices

Recommended Citation: Owen, D O. Implementing a Wiring Closet Simulator For a Laboratory Based Local Area Network Course. In The Proceedings of the Information Systems Education Conference 2001, v 18 (Cincinnati): §32b.

Implementing a Wiring Closet Simulator For a Laboratory Based Local Area Network Course

Refereed

Dennis O. Owen    [a1] [a2]
Department of Computer Technology
Purdue University    [u1] [u2]
Anderson, Indiana, USA    [c1] [c2]

Local area networking is currently found throughout business and industry. Many careers require some understanding of the techniques and technology used in computer networking. This is no longer the private realm of the computer professional. If universities are to properly prepare students for these positions, they must provide education in this area to a wide range of graduates. This instruction can and should involve more than students' listening and writing skills. Students learn quicker and retain more if they actively participate. Laboratory courses are one means of actively engaging students in the topic. In order to present a local area networking laboratory environment that parallels that found in industry, it is necessary to develop apparatus that will present the technology as it appears in industry. Such an apparatus has been created in the Computer Information Systems program at Purdue University's Anderson campus. The design process, layout considerations, and construction of this apparatus will be explored. The rational for use of hands-on teaching methodologies is presented to establish the validity of the device as an instructional tool. A discussion of the integration of the simulator into an existing laboratory course and examples of its use are also presented.

Keywords: LAN, simulator, andragogy, pedagogy

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