Multimedia animations to enhance learning complex concepts in data communications

This paper first identifies the problems associated with the teaching of data communications and describes a composite learning system to facilitate instruction. This courseware for data communications consists of three major components---a series of printed lecture notes, a computer-managed learning system and a series of animated multimedia demonstrations. From our experience, the multimedia component is particularly useful for students to learn physical processes and abstract concepts that are best presented as simulated animations. Examples of the multimedia components are illustrated in this paper to show the effectiveness of this animated visual imagery over traditional illustrations.