Developing and Evaluating an Open Source Network

This study focused on developing and evaluating an open source software (OSS) network laboratory and curriculum for information technology (IT) program students. A review of literature revealed that to date there have been very few published studies on the development of the labs with clear and specific learning outcomes mapping the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) IT computing curriculum recommendations. In addition, very few efforts have been taken to develop the lab and curriculum by using instructional design and learning theory from a pedagogical perspective. The goals of the research were to (a) analyze current computer networking education in the higher education system and the IEEE/ACM IT computing curriculum recommendation, (b) map the labs to the learning outcomes recommended by IEEE/ACM IT computing curriculum, (c) create and implement the OSS-based network laboratory and curriculum, and (d) evaluate the effectiveness of the laboratory and curriculum. The dissertation followed a developmental research model for the development of the lab and curriculum.