Serious toys II: teaching networks, protocols, and algorithms

  • Authors:

  • Yvon Feaster;Farha Ali;Jiannan Zhai;Jason O. Hallstrom

  • Affiliations:

  • Clemson Universtiy, Clemson, SC, USA;Lander University, Greenwood, SC, USA;Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA;Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 18th ACM conference on Innovation and technology in computer science education
  • Year:
  • 2013

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Abstract

Networking concepts have been in use for centuries. The human body is a network of organs that must coordinate to survive. The postal service is an example of a network that connects individuals world-wide. It is only natural that networks play an important role in computing --- from networks of sensors collecting and recording data, to social networks, to the most complex network of all, the Internet. Observing the importance of networking concepts in computing, we have developed the second in a series of "serious toys" to use in the K-12 curriculum. In this case, the toy is an embedded hardware device designed to enhance a lecture titled "Learning Networks, Protocols, and Algorithms", by engaging visual and kinesthetic learners. In this paper, we describe our curriculum module and its use in an outreach program involving six middle school classes. We conclude with a summary of evaluation results that show the program produced positive results in terms of content understanding and attitudes toward Computer Science.