From Simulation to Pedagogy: Implementing The Haida Virtual Lab Model in Computer Network Learning

The advancement of digital technology and the Industry 4.0 era has transformed vocational education, especially in computer network learning. Many vocational schools (SMK) in Indonesia rely on simulation tools such as Cisco Packet Tracer, yet learning often remains procedural and teacher-centered. This study introduces the HAIDA Virtual Lab Learning Model, integrating virtual simulation, Learning Management System (LMS), and authentic digital assessment to enhance students’ cognitive, technical, and reflective abilities. Developed through a Design-Based Research (DBR) approach, the model underwent expert validation and field implementation at SMK Multi Karya Medan. The HAIDA syntax: Highlight, Analyze, Integrate, Do, and Assess guides learners from conceptual exploration to reflective practice. Results indicate that the model is feasible, practical, and effective in improving network understanding, problem-solving, and collaborative learning. This study contributes theoretically by bridging simulation practice with pedagogy and practically by supporting Indonesia’s Merdeka Belajar initiative.Unlike previous models that focus on simulation usage, HAIDA explicitly integrates reflective assessment and LMS-mediated collaboration into a structured pedagogical syntax, which has not been systematically addressed in prior vocational simulation studies.