Student’s Performance Assessment and Learning Skill towards Wireless Network Simulation Tool – Cisco Packet Tracer

Abstract

Practical Learning is a great way of learning as it aids to increase a learner’s interest in a certain subject. It entails the use of visual aids to convey ideas even more effectively. Students can more easily understand and adapt the information from the subject, when they can visually see how it really works. Rather than just explaining the theory concepts, using animating slides, simulation software that explain the theory concepts easily can be used by the instructor to develop the stu-dent’s skill in the particular subject. Simulation tools provide significant cost savings in Education. This is because a topic can be taught effectively to large numbers of people without the need of buying expensive equipment. Like wireless networking labs, if we want to construct the lab with the equipment like wireless router, access points, different cabling it is more cost effective. Now in net, we can find out more simulation software for networking. One of the best simulation tools for Networking is Packet Tracer which can be freely downloadable from Cisco Networking Academy Students. It includes assessment task with automatic scoring and reporting. This paper presents the features of the simulation tool and analyzes the student’s performance over this simulation soft-ware with the given questionnaires. This study provides evidence in support of the instructional effectiveness of the use of Simulation software tool for the teachers and the learners who are interested in networking concepts.