How to Better Teach Computer Networks to First Year Engineering Students Post-pandemic, A Case Study

Paper in proceeding, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the higher education sector, leading to changes in the way courses are taught. In this study, we explore how the transition from remote learning to in-person classes can be leveraged to enhance teaching and learning in the post-pandemic era. Specifically, we present a case study that evaluates the implementation of post-COVID changes in a large computer networking course. We demonstrate that a switch from remote to physical labs, along with an increase in active learning and spaced practice, can yield positive results. Our findings indicate that while the overall impact on performance may be limited, the time spent on lab activities and student satisfaction improved in our case study.