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F04 TEACHING INNOVATION IN NETWORKING CLASS USING MULTIUSER PRACTICAL ACTIVITY

Virakwan A/P Hai Kelian

Department of Information Technology and Communication, Politeknik Seberang Perai,

Pulau Pinang
virakwan@psp.edu.my

ABSTRACT To enhance the effectiveness of teaching and learning in networking class, multiuser

function in Cisco Packet Tracer provides an opportunity for interactive practical learning. The most
problems of lecturers when teaching networking course is difficult to assess the students'
configuration skills in the class, especially during laboratory class. The multiuser function that used
the concept of remote relay server using one-to-many allows lecturers to control and assess many
students directly at one time. The main objective of this paper is to introduce the teaching
innovation by using multiuser practical activity in the networking class. In this research, the
multiuser activity was created and used through an existing LAN connection in the classroom. The
activity focuses on the basic configuration of the network devices such as switch and router. This
activity used during the laboratory class which enables lecturers to create a large group based
interactions. During the implementation of the activity, lecturer is able to assess the progress of
the students and to ensure every student are taking part in the activity. The result of

implementing this approach, it is able to enhance students’ interest in the technical topics and
student progress can be monitored easily on the lecturer side. Lecturer are able to track students'
configuration skills directly and ensure the participation of each student in laboratory class. By
using this teaching method, the lecturer can train students to not only improve their configuration
and troubleshooting skills but also increase the speed at which students need to tackle the
network problems.

Keywords: Teaching methods; practical learning; Cisco Networking Academy; packet tracer;

multiuser.

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