Creating visualization modules for a data communications and computer networks course using low-fidelity prototyping

  • Authors:
  • Curt M. White

  • Affiliations:
  • School of CTI - DePaul University, 243 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL

  • Venue:
  • Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges
  • Year:
  • 2001

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Abstract

A wide number of 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 the commercial, scientific and educational environments. Despite the large amount of work published on visualization, little has been done in the area of computer network pedagogical visualization. In an effort to create a set of visualization tools for teaching a data communications and computer networks course, this paper will describe how low-fidelity prototyping [18] was used to create a set of eleven computer based training (CBT) modules. Low-fidelity prototyping involves the use of paper cutouts and human manipulation to test a computer interface design. This paper will provide a quick overview of previous visualization examples, followed by an introduction of the eleven modules, then describe how low-fidelity prototyping was used to create these modules.