An extensible micro-world for learning in the data networking professions

• We build a micro-world based on the computer networking domain.
• The world provides meaningful activity in real world context for students.
• The world is built to gather evidence of student knowledge, skills, and attributes.
• Research identified potential improvements as well as emerging evidence for validity.

This paper describes the rationale, implementation logic, and user data related to a simulation-based serious game in the domain of computer networking. The resulting micro-world was created to provide rich and open user experiences that mimic important aspects of the real world relevant to technical knowledge, social understanding, and the application of skills in the networking domain. Simulation software called Packet Tracer provides a comprehensive micro-world authoring tool that allows the construction and use of network micro-worlds while a game layer called Aspire overlays Packet Tracer to simulate complex social interactions, requirements of problem formulation and solution, recovery from failure and other important skills needed for success in computer networking professions. These tools were designed from an ECD framework over a number of years and initial studies regarding their use are discussed.