Visualization tools to support data communications and computer network courses

Abstract

Many published papers, conference presentations, and books have introduced the concepts and advantages of visualization, applied visualization techniques to various areas of study, measured the effects of visualization on a student=s ability to learn, and introduced visualization tools that can be used in both the commercial and education environments. In an effort to create a set of visualization tools for teaching a data communications and computer networks course, this paper will introduce a set of eleven computer based training (CBT) modules. The collection of eleven computer based training modules presented in this paper were designed to best assist a student enrolled in an introductory computer networks course. To determine if the interactive modules assisted a student during such a course, an informal study was performed. The results of that study, along with future plans, are also presented.