Dissertation (MSc Telecommunications Engineering)GNU Radio is a software development toolkit that has traditionally been used by a community of specialized coders and advanced engineers for rapid prototyping and analysis of the physical layer. However, recently its potential as an educational tool is being debated and calls have been made to expand its applicability into this area. In this dissertation, the researcher responds by documenting how GNU Radio platform can be used to design a number of new practical demonstrations which can be used whilst teaching analog and digital communication courses. This is motivated by the fact that most universities and academic institutes found in Tanzania cannot afford the conventional approaches and require innovative ways to supplement theoretical teaching but have not been introduced to this platform. The starting point was a broad review of GNU Radio and some areas in communications theory. The design was experimental because demonstrations were implemented in a semi-simulation environment. Design process followed a sequential model consisting of a series of stages with the results of each stage feeding into the subsequent stage. Implications were drawn from the results obtained. This was accomplished by comparing it with the aim of the demonstration as derived from well-known theory. The demonstrations were considered valid because they conformed to the aim of the demonstration, and it was concluded that GNU Radio platform can indeed serve as an educational tool.