Rethinking how we teach networking — integrating AI, broadening access, and forging interdisciplinary pathways for the next generation.
All deadlines are 23:59 AoE (Anywhere on Earth). Dates subject to coordination with SIGCOMM workshop chairs.
The AI revolution demands we rethink networking education from the ground up. This workshop invites networking researchers and educators to develop frameworks for AI integration that deepen understanding rather than shortcut learning, transform labs and assessment for contemporary realities, and forge interdisciplinary pathways connecting networking to emerging topics, policy, and societal impact. Building on the successful 2020 SIGCOMM Education Workshop, we channel this momentum to develop evidence-based, community-driven solutions, to modernize networking curricula, preparing students for the next generation of AI-integrated networks.
Networking education faces unprecedented opportunities for innovation. Generative AI is transforming pedagogy, yet educators lack effective integration strategies. Cross-disciplinary "Networking+X" courses are emerging to serve both CS majors and students in policy, social sciences, and humanities. Hands-on labs increasingly leverage testbeds like FABRIC, while new pedagogies (flipped classrooms, interactive settings) reshape learning. Open educational resources can democratize access to quality materials.
This workshop addresses these evolving needs by convening a global community to discuss topics including, but not limited to:
How AI tools — including LLMs, AI-driven lab assistants, and automated assessment systems — can scaffold learning, support assessment, and enhance labs while safeguarding the development of foundational skills.
Designing assessments robust to AI use, ensuring fairness when students have uneven AI access, and teaching responsible AI practices.
Cross-disciplinary courses connecting networking to policy, security, censorship, and societal issues for diverse student populations.
Programmable testbed experimentation, real-world data access, practical experiences.
Flipped classrooms, interactive settings, and innovative instructional approaches.
Textbooks, assignments, and curricular resources for community sharing.
Modernizing both introductory and advanced networking courses to teach emerging topics (AI-native SDN, satellite networks, edge computing, etc).
We invite submissions that advance the future of networking education. We encourage submissions from educators, early-career faculty, industry practitioners, and others who may not typically publish in traditional networking venues. Papers will undergo a constructive review process, with the goal of accepting most submissions. The workshop will be hybrid to maximize inclusivity and participation. In-person attendance is not required for submission or acceptance. Remote participation and asynchronous engagement will be supported. We welcome research papers, experience reports, and position papers that explore innovative approaches to teaching networking at all levels, including:
We welcome two kinds of submissions:
Authors are also encouraged to share artifacts with stable URLs for their work.
Topics of interest include the following (but not limited to):
\documentclass[sigconf, 10pt, anonymous]{acmart}. Submissions are non-archival. Accepted papers will be discussed in themed panels led by Program Committee members.