Networks and Internet

1. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Networks and the Internet
Chapter 7
Teaching and Learning with Technology

2. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Networking Basics
A network
• Is a collection of computers and peripherals
connected together
• Networked workstations connect to a server
via hubs
• Servers are more powerful computers that
provide service to users
• Allows users on the network to communicate
• Allows sharing of resources and data

3. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Networking Basics
• Routers are used to connect multiple
networks together and route data to the
correct network
• Twisted pair wiring is strung to create nodes,
or network outlets
• Network interface cards (NICs) are plugged
into the node to connect a computer to the
network

4. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Networking Basics
Wireless networks
• Use transmission via infrared, radio wave, or
microwave instead of cables
• Save the dollars it costs to retrofit schools
• May require line-of-sight transmission to work
• Offer a more flexible networked instructional
environment

5. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Networking Basics
Local Area Networks (LANs)
• Serve a local area such as a single school
Wide Area Networks (WANs)
• Serve a wider area such as a school district
• WANs typically include multiple LANs

6. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Networking Basics
Network Challenges
• All computers must use the same protocol or
communication method
• Bandwidth must have sufficient carrying
capacity so that data will be transmitted at
reasonable speeds
• Networks must provide sufficient security and
privacy to protect data and users

7. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Using a Network
Networked Programs -- Advantages
• Programs can be installed on the server and
used by all workstations
• Programs on servers are easier to install and
maintain
• Require less hard drive space of individual
workstations
• May be more economically purchased as site
licenses than for individual copies

8. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Using a Network
Sharing Data
• Every user is typically allocated some hard
drive space on the server
• Server drive space lets users log into any
workstation at any location to access their
data
• Data can also be placed in public areas of the
server to be shared with others

9. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Using a Network
Administrative Network Tools
• Administrative groupware offers common
calendars, schedules, address books, and
reservations lists
Academic Network Tools
• Lets teachers monitor, control, and share
images on all classroom workstations

10. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Using a Network
Hardware Sharing
• Allows sharing of printers, scanners, or other
hardware devices among multiple
workstations
• Saves on cost of multiple peripherals
• Allows monitoring of and access to costly
peripherals

11. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Using a Network
Communications
• Email is a software program included in most
networked environments
• Email allows users on a network to send and
receive electronic messages with
attachments
• Offers asynchronous communication between
students, teachers, and parents

12. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Telecommunications
• Telecommunications refers to electronic
communications between computers via
phone lines
• When not directly connected to a network,
telecommunications offers an alternative
connection
• Modems are necessary to convert signal from
digital to analog so that they can be carried
on phone lines

13. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Telecommunications
Modems
• Vary in terms of speed of transmission
• May be internal or external relative to the
computer
• Require telecommunications software to set
them up and control transmission
• Networks may include multiple modems to
allow connections from home computers

14. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Telecommunications
Connecting to a Network
• Once modems connect, you will need your
login and password to get on the network
• May not be as fast as a workstation since
phone lines have small bandwidth
• ISDN and DSL lines are higher bandwidth
phone lines to make access faster
• Cable modems offer a faster alternative to
phone lines for high speed connections

15. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
The Internet
• A collection of interconnected individual
networks
• Uses a common protocol, TCP/IP
• Not owned or operated by any one entity but
instead is a collaborative effort to connect
and communicate among networks
• Loosely regulated by the Internet Society to
develop and maintain common standards and
procedures

16. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
The Internet
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
• Provide home users temporary connections
to the Internet for a fee
• The ISP’s network is connected to the
Internet and home users pay for a login to
access the ISP network
• Some ISPs offer services beyond just access
such as shopping, news, email, etc.

17. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Internet Communications
Email
• Email on the Internet works like network email
except that you can send and receive mail
from beyond your own WAN
• To direct email to the right network and the
right person, you use a combination of login
name at network name, for example
jsmith@bizness.com
• Email address differ from URLs

18. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Internet Communications
Conferences
• Electronic bulletin boards that allow users to
read messages from others and post
messages for others to read
• One-to-many communication
• May be public or private
• Discussions are usually threaded so a single
line of conversation can be followed through
all responses

19. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Internet Communications
Mailing Lists (Listservs)
• Electronic automated mailing lists that
delivers messages to all subscribers
• May have a moderator to manage and
approve mail messages before sending to all
subscribers
• Unlike conferences that must be visited to
use, listserv messages appear in subscriber’s
email boxes

20. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Internet Communications
Chats
• Real-time conversations via the Internet
• Communication may be via typing, voice, or
may include still or video images
• Chat rooms (virtual chat space) may be
public or private
• Require prior appointments since chats are
synchronous

21. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Internet Communications
Telephony
• Voice conversations via the Internet
• Uses computer speaker and microphone as a
telephone handset
• Telephony software dials and sets up
communication among users
• Local calls to ISPs may enable long distance
connections

22. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Internet Communications
Videoconferencing
• Audio and video conversations via the
Internet
• Uses monitor-top video cameras along with
computer speaker and microphone
• Depending on bandwidth available, provides
for real-time live video interaction among
users

23. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Other Internet Services
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
• Software that allows users to upload (send
files to the Internet) and download (receive
files from the Internet)
• FTP Sites are virtual libraries of
downloadable files
• Files are usually compressed (zipped) for
faster transmission and must be unzipped
before using

24. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Other Internet Services
Usenet
• Newsgroups are conferences dedicated to a
particular topic of interest
• Usenet is the collection of on-going
newsgroups
• Newsreader programs that let you participate
in a newsgroup are built into most Internet
software

25. TeachingandLearningwithTechnology
Teaching and the Internet
• The world knowledge base is now available in
any classroom that can connect to the
Internet
• The Internet makes global communication for
learning possible
• Students and teachers can participate in
virtual learning communities across nations