3.3 Students’ Learning Process
In this section, we describe the process followed by students to acquire the knowledge and skills required in the subject. The successful application of our methodology requires students to assist the lectures where theoretical background is provided. A week after theoretical lessons have started, the first laboratory session is given.
The first four sessions are devoted to the explanation of the VNUML-UM virtualization tool: Definition of a topology, configuration of the nodes participating in the network scenario and interaction with a simulation. Once the initial sessions are completed, the specific sessions associated to the practical works are given in sync with the contents explained in theoretical lessons. In these sessions, professors explain the software installed in the file system file used by the virtual machines providing dynamic routing, autoconfiguration and IPv6 mobility, and high availability and load balancing. More precisely, in these sessions, professors explain how to configure this software and how it can be used to design and develop different computer network systems. In this process, we promote active learning by means of class discussion. Thus, we can relate different theoretical concepts to its practical use. When both theoretical concepts and specific laboratory sessions associated with a practical work are successfully given, the practical work is introduced. Each practical work consists on the development of a computer network system that satisfies a set of requirements on some of the theoretical concepts introduced.
During the course, students must develop three practical works. For the resolution of each practical work, students are organized in groups integrated by two members. Once the different laboratory sessions associated to a practical work are completed, students proceed in the following manner. First, they discuss the requirements and establish the design of the solution. This solution is, generally, presented to the teacher to get his feedback. Next, when the design is validated, they start with the development of the solution. This development can be made either during the weekly laboratory sessions scheduled for the subject that are not associated with the explanation of tools and concepts or during their personal work time either at home or within the laboratory (when is free and no classes are scheduled). Regardless of the way students proceed, professors are available to provide tutorship by means of interviews with them or through a virtual campus platform.
In general, in each group, students collaborate to produce the design of the system, the choice of the tools to develop the system, and configuration options for the development of the core elements by articulating their perspectives and negotiating their knowledge or beliefs [28]. However, they work cooperatively by sharing out some tasks when some specific issues that are similar have to be developed, e.g., the configuration of a routing protocol in two different autonomous systems. Finally, in general, they cooperate to produce the final report associated with the practical work. This report serves to reinforce their knowledge of the system, and discuss and justify again the different design solutions they have chosen for their system.