O uso de simuladores no ensino de redes

: um estudo de caso no ensino profissional

Abstract

We live in a time of widespread use of information and communication technologies. This massive spread has been changing the way we communicate, how we access and produce information and, consequently, the teaching-learning process. The acquisition of knowledge occurs increasingly beyond school place and school time. Therefore, the challenge of the present-day school goes towards the use of the available technology as a tool that makes the most attractive, intelligible and motivating contents. With regard to the teaching of computer networks, this technological development, combined with a strong abstract component of the approached contents and with the resources constraints, which prevents the availability of the computer labs we want, hinders an active and efficient learning, independent from the contents lined by a strong practical component. Thus, this report aims, on the one hand, to describe the teaching experience developed during our professional path and, on the other hand, to help overcoming some of the listed constraints, through a study case, with a first year class of the vocational course, Audio-visual Technician, from Vocational School Amar Terra Verde, within the Networks and Protocols module of the discipline Multimedia Information Systems. This study used a Cisco network simulator (Packet Tracer) whose results lead us to realize the significant impact on strengthening the cognitive structure of most students, showing that the use of this kind of software may be built for a meaningful learning, in response to a constructivist-oriented methodology.

Date of Award	23 Mar 2016
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Sónia Cruz (Supervisor)