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Session 2526

The use of the Oscilloscope as an Educative Tool on a Network Installation and Maintenance Unit

D. Veal, S.P. Maj, G. I. Swan Computing Science / Computing Science / Physics Program Edith Cowan University (ECU). Perth. Western Australia.

Abstract

Network Installation and Maintenance (NIM) is a first year single semester unit in the School of Computing at ECU. This unit consists of a two-hour lecture and two-hour hands-on workshop. The creation of the NIM unit was based upon a survey of the needs of employers in the field of network installation and maintenance and its workshops consist of extensive hands-on exercises necessary to provide students with the initial practical background skills and understanding required. The NIM unit has no prerequisites and is a full credit unit that attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds many of whom may have had little previous education in technology or physics. Hence many NIM students have experienced difficulties in conceptualising effects such as signal degradation along media or even what a wave shape or wave train represents when drawn on a board or displayed upon a cathode ray oscilloscope (CRO) screen. The CRO was also used to measure voltages. Measurements of time periods were also subsequently used in frequency and bandwidth calculations. These investigations were undertaken as part of a normal NIM workshop and effects such as signal attenuation, crossover, phase shifting, and pulse spreading, were observed via CRO.

1. Introduction

The single semester, level 1,unit Network Installation and Maintenance (NIM) is a hands-on unit that is based on employer expectations in the field of Computer and Network support. NIM’s companion unit is Computer Installation & Maintenance (CIM) which was designed to fulfil the basic hands-on requirements where students need to make changes to the insides of PCs to upgrade machines or to replace suspected faulty machines. Prior to its implementation investigations had revealed that nearly all of the final year computing science students surveyed had failed to fulfil the employer-based requirements. 4.Nelson and Morales have noted that: “It is becoming evident that a good knowledge of networking is critical for success in many kinds of computer-based work. Understanding enough to be able to troubleshoot network problems could become a significant bargaining chip in the job market in the 21st century” 7. Whilst Molina III notes that: “… we polled our junior and senior computer science students to see what they felt would help them most in a networking course. Students indicated that they desired to obtain an applicable knowledge of networking that would lead to immediate employment opportunities after graduation”.6

Proceedings of the 2001 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright  2001, American Society for Engineering Education

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Swan, G., & Maj, S. P., & Veal, D. (2001, June), The Use Of The Oscilloscope As An Educative Tool On A Network Installation And Maintenance Unit Paper presented at 2001 Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 10.18260/1-2--9955