An Evaluation of WKMNs A Newbies Guide to Wireless Networks Tutorial - Essay Example

 This online tutorial provides basic knowledge and understanding of the use of wireless network technology and how to apply it in a business setting. It teaches the concept of wireless in application of our daily transactions. It explains the reasons and practicality of why it is important that we be familiar with the wireless concept. It also presents the business side of wireless and the five different types of wireless technology. It enables the student of the course to explore more of the business possibilities that can be achieved through wireless networking by recognizing both its capabilities and the potential roadblocks (A Newbie’s Guide to Wireless Networks Tutorial, n.d.). The tutorial strategizes to teach clarity on technical concepts initially and then later provide information on the simplicity of how we can easily benefit from using wireless everyday for our communication networking needs. After conveying the general overview on wireless, the course chapters include technical terminologies presented in a very simple and easy to understand way. These concepts include the radio frequency technology, mobile telephony, wireless area network (LAN), wireless personal area network, fixed wireless wide area networks (WAN), practical applications of these technologies is various business set-ups and other references that can be useful to the student who wants to learn more. Each of these topics contains subtopics that are detailed to the technology. Although the terminologies can give a complex impression especially to hearing of it for the first time, the tutorial is designed to ensure a simplified translation of such concepts that can be comprehended in the understanding level of its students. How the student grasp the concepts and ideas are critical to the objectives of creating this newbie tutorial as it will determine the productivity that they can make out of this wireless technology knowledge that a student will gain after going through the tutorial. I believe that WKMN has done an effective tutorial for this Newbie’s Guide to Wireless Networks. The tutorial can be both beneficial to a beginner in wireless technology and someone who has background already on this topic. The colourful multimedia design of the slide lessons itself included with audio, animation, text, and innovative quizzes allows the tutorial to impart the basic concepts of wireless LANs, mobile telephony networks, fixed last-mile wireless networks, personal area networks, and Bluetooth. It also discussed other important aspects to consider in employing wireless technology in a business such as the the costs and efforts associated with physical cabling and the basics of radio frequency technology. There is also a segment on how the different frequency band-sharing schemes work which is another critical aspect. It simplified teaching the process on how analogue and digital channels are cut by time or by frequency by using animations. The contents are also presented in what it calls “bite-sized nuggets” to maintain its simplistic approach and ensure the focus on concept understanding of the student. With the thousands of websites and resources available in the internet today, it is indeed easy to be overwhelmed especially on wireless technology topics. Since this is an online course, it caters to university students or company professionals who have little time for extra activities like this. The tutorial can be taken in five minutes a day and the student can choose any chapter of interest without specific order, as long as all chapters are covered in order to finish the course. The tutorial also provides excursion websites that can be visited should the student find a specific area from it course chapter really useful for his needs. I think this is a good educational investment for a $50 course. The wireless technology has several applications in any field we choose to go. Understanding its concepts further can make us more effective in achieving our goals whether it is at home or in an office that requires network technology. It is relevant to our current generation where new program softwares and gadgets are continuously being developed. Effective learning of wireless technology concepts and applications familiarizes us with the system and helps us maximize its advantages. References A Newbie’s Guide to Wireless Networks Tutorial, (n.d.). Retrieved 21 May 2012 from WKMN Training: http://wkmn.com/newsite/graphic/course.html The tutorial on Asynchronous Transfer Mode or popularly known as ATM teaches about its concepts and implementation in the industry. It helps the student develop an understanding on the circumstantial motivations that created opportunities towards the development of ATM. The developers of this course thought that this is a critical component as it will provide better understanding on the later advancements of ATM devices and network interfaces when initial concepts on the network capability to handle data, voice, video, and image applications that are independent of their bandwidth requirements are understood (ATM, 2010). The online course further teaches and demonstrates examples of ATM network devices such as the workstations, routers and LAN switches, ATM network interfaces such as the user-network interface and the network-network interface which are subdivided into public and private units and finally, the ATM cell base that describes detailed cell structure and functions. The tutorial is a short text lay-out with diagrams and illustrations of the ATM concepts. It provides a good technical explanation of what each ATM network part does, its purpose and overall functions. The topic is a detailed discussion of ATM network technology and usage of technical networking terminologies related to the cell-relay technology with statistical multiplexing characteristic of ATM is required. The audience of this tutorial must be someone with interest in network technology or is seeking expertise or certification towards becoming a network technician. The tutorial was created by previous RAD students and therefore they knew how to communicate effectively complex ideas using the diagrams. However, the nature of the topic is not for the novice, basic computer and networking concept background is required to facilitate understanding and appreciation. Should the tutorial be translated in simpler language, in a level commonly used in communication or in another medium such as the interactive multimedia style of WKMN, this will be useful towards retaining of knowledge and understanding of the ATM concepts. Part II. Evaluation of MPLS and Network Convergence Tutorial The tutorial on MPLS and Network Convergence is about the concepts and applications of network components such as the routers and switches that implement the protocols which play critical roles in supporting higher volumes of internet data in a faster way (MPLS, 2009). It initially provides all the information required to understand networking concepts such as traditional routing and packet switching, label switching, the IP over ATM model, and then the basics of multilayer switching and the multilayer switching solutions. All of these are written in text, explaining in details how each component is necessary to carry out networking of bulk of data using the evolving models until the multilayer switching. The concepts of difficulties encountered before MPLS was employed are also discussed, together with the complexities of the executed initial solutions. It mentions that the emergence of multilayer switching solutions and MPLS is part of the evolution of the Internet to decrease complexity by combining Layer 2 switching and Layer 3 routing into a fully integrated solution (MPLS, 2009). The tutorial is very comprehensive in explaining what is required to be understood in terms of the MPLS technology. This time, the developers created a simple version of it through a flash slide presentation that includes visual media composed of pictures and symbols that convey the complex systems in the most simplistic way. This is more effective in delivering the networking capabilities of MPLS. The tutorial further discusses the types of problem this technology solves and other opportunities for its use. The tutorial can be very much appreciated by a network technician or an individual who has practical applications on network technologies. I believe the ideas are more easily understood once you are involved in a networking environment. The diagrams created by the developers to illustrate their point regarding the use of IP over ATM Model and the problems when it is adopted are very useful for the reader to comprehend the networking systems in this manner. The free tutorial on networking provides easy to understand information about all concepts involved and, the various methods and devices used in networking. The tutorial covers five different areas of networking. First, it clarifies the definitions of network, network segment and network interface. Then it provides various scenarios of physical network topologies and also logical network topologies. Then it tackles the practical parts about communication methods and network devices. The structure of the tutorial seems very applicable and useful both to the beginner and someone who has basic background on networking (Networking, 2012). It vividly defines the proper description of networking concepts and separates it from information that is commonly known but is not accurately correct. This way, correct information is established as knowledge of the students. The tutorial is presented in plain texts that are properly indexed according to topics. It shows a good organization of ideas that enable a student to locate topics of interest. No images or diagrams are provided. Important concepts are in a hyperlink format enabling the student to explore more of that terminology by clicking on the word. In doing so, a new page that provides in-depth information on that particular topic is presented. The developers of the tutorial have been effective in their goal of teaching clarity of networking ideas by focusing on the simple presentation and light background of the tutorial pages. They made the initial pages appear shorter by showing only topics necessary for that chapter. Through the extensive use of hyperlinks, more information can be directed from that simple page. Also, the method of communication used to deliver the complex concepts were made simple in words. The tutorial can be useful to anybody interested to learn about networking, whether students or professionals, with networking knowledge or without. The tutorial is very well designed to introduce networking concepts and proceed comprehensively to more technical concepts as each concept is described with clarity. The reader can find other useful resources that can help him develop better understanding not only of networking but also of other topics which can be more advanced than networking. This is possible through the organized presentation of ideas in the tutorial. Topics on satellite, scripting, telecom, troubleshooting and technicalities of the World Wide Web are also shown in hyperlinks (Networking, 2012). This is an excellent way of encouraging the reader to learn more, should he be done with studying about networking. The overall tutorial mechanism used as a mode of learning is an effective way both to the instructors and students. Tutorials, especially designed with multimedia, provide stimulating platforms for teaching that enable to acquire the attention of its audience. It can motivate learning using varied ways of audiovisual methods. Hard concepts can be elaborated using symbols or pictures that can act out as simplified version of those concepts. However, it should be noted that the tutorial must always be followed up with an interactive activity such as a live question and answer portion between instructors and students. This is important in ensuring the learning of the students and raising the confidence level that important topics are given enough emphasis. The instructor can also evaluate the simple and difficult areas of learning of the students. This way, discussion on the difficult part can be done. Tutorials also benefit busy people who have interest in learning new information. Since the lessons are available online, they can be accessed anywhere and anytime, and can be paused and continued. It also means that certain lessons can be repeated as necessary while others can be done fast. I believe that the tutorial lessons, complimentary to the actual lessons, are very effective for this course. References Networking, 2012. InetDaemon.com: Free Internet Training. Inet Daemon Enterprises. Retrieved 21 May 2012 from http://www.inetdaemon.com/tutorials/networking/ Read More