Computer Networks and distributed Systems

as part of the BMBF-Compound Project SIMBA — „Key Concepts of Informatics in multi medial Elements under special Consideration of Women's specific Learning Interests”

Motivation

Computer networks and distributed systems do not only play an important part within the scope of Informatics, but also in many other fields. In college and job life, for instance, local networks are well established, in schools they are at least about to develop. For safety reasons and in order to simplify administration the Server-Client-Model predominates. Basics on minutes, especially on TCP/IP, are necessary for the fundamental comprehension of telecommunication processes. Wide area networks, such as the internet, from which one can hardly withdraw due to todays various service offers, call for a basic comprehension of the on-going processes in order to be able to derive both resulting possibilities for application (distributed or cooperative applications) and potential hazards as well as to sensitize users appropriately for basic mechanisms of information safety.

The materials on RvS (Computer Networks and distributed Systems) at hand offer teachers and students a compilation of interactive materials (applets, animations) for visualization and for practise, completed by short explanatory texts, which may be used to complement traditional lectures in terms of Blended Learning.

According to requirements and interest different accesses are available. Referring to the LOM Standard (=Learning Object Metadata) all of the materials are assigned to a topic, a group object, and a media object.

Media elements are, for instance, provided directly by the means of the export interface (see Media Objects). Here, media elements are single graphics, texts, animations or interactive exercises. Primarily this access is for teachers, who look specifically for materials to support a lecture, or for learners, who already dispose of basic knowledge and look specifically for elements to prepare for or go over a lecture. Besides of the name and the format this interface additionally provides a short description of the content and the functional range in order for the user to have basic information on application possibilities in advance.