Teaching TCP/IP Network Fundamentals to Undergraduates Using Practical Exercises

Abstract

Motivating students to learn TCP/IP network fundamentals is often difficult because students find the subject rather technical when it is presented using a lecture format. To overcome this problem we have prepared some hands-on exercises (practicals) that give students a practical learning experience in TCP/IP networking. The practicals are designed around a multi-user, multi-tasking operating system and are suitable for classroom use in undergraduate TCP/IP networking courses. The effectiveness of these practicals has been evaluated both formally by students and informally in discussion within the teaching team. The implementation of the practicals was judged to be successful because of the positive student feedback and that students improved their test results. This chapter describes the practicals and their impact on student learning and comprehension, based on the author’s experiences in undergraduate computer networking courses.