Enhancing Student Understanding of Packet-Forwarding Theories and Concepts with Low-Cost Laboratory Activities

Abstract

Teaching packet-forwarding theories and concepts in a practical way to undergraduate students requires both a teaching and learning framework and a laboratory infrastructure. Creating a teaching and learning framework in which students can develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of abstract concepts is not a simple task. In addition to teaching materials, the teacher requires a clear idea about learning theories and issues: (1) what is learning; (2) what is knowledge; and (3) how do students go about learning. This chapter describes a low-cost laboratory infrastructure for teaching and learning packet-forwarding theories and concepts. The framework is learner-centred and is focused on learning experiences in both classroom and laboratory. The laboratory-based activities form a critical component of the overall framework.