Presentation for lesson on networking for students in grades 4-8. May also be presented as an in-service opportunity for teachers of students in these grades to learn how to introduce these ideas to their students.
2. Bythe end of this lesson, you will be able to: Name similarities and differences between a stand-alone computer, a home network, a school network & the Internet Draw a rough diagram telling how our school’s network operates Tell how to be responsible while using our school network and explain why this is important Know what to do if you have trouble connecting to our network
3. Part 1: What is a Network? Brainstorm examples of when the word "network” is used Define “network” http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/network Define “Computer Networking”
5. Types of Computer Networks Personal network Home network School network The Internet http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/co/Computer_network
6. Any Computer Internet With your partner, watch this BrainPop movie to better understand how a computer connects to the Internet When you’re done, take the BrainPopreview quiz together If you finish the quiz, add questions to our shared class Google Doc
7. Our School Network Internet Laptop, iPad, Phone, etc Plugged in client computer WiFi (wireless connection) Ethernet (wired connection) Router School servers (DNS, DHCP & more) Firewall Internet Provider Internet (“The Cloud”)
17. TroubleshootingIf your computer is not connecting to our network, check: Is your computer physically connected? Is it a website problem? Is the problem device-specific? Email our system administrators at help@... WBAIS Network Administrators
Editor's Notes
NOTES FOR TEACHER:Brainstorm places kids may have heard and used the word “network” before and write them on the board (i.e. social networking, cartoon network, television network, “networking” with other people)Have students go with their pair-share to the link provided to choose a general definition for “network”. Discuss what was found.Finish with a discussion of networking that is specific to computers (Computer Networking) – definition from the Cultural Dictionary listed at above link would be best.
What’s the difference? Being connected to another computer, or a printer, or another device through a wire or wireless connection. Discuss how to connect to the network at school – both via wireless and via wired connection. How do you check to make sure a wireless connection is on? How do you turn on the wireless connection if it is off? Which wire is responsible for connection to the network?
TEACHER NOTES: Ask the students to turn to their pair-share and discuss how each of these are different and how they are the same, then summarize with the entire class. You may refer older students (Grades 5 & up) to use website listed to find further information about these and others. http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/co/Computer_networkStudents should come up with:Similarities – all connect computersDifferences – number of devices and number of users
Note:School needs to have BrainPop subscription in order to watch this movie and take the quiz, located at: http://www.brainpop.com/technology/computersandinternet/internetTeacher needs to set up and share a Google Doc with entire class for the class to make up Questions and Answers on the topics covered.
When you turn on a computer at school it automatically connects to our network, as long as it is plugged into our system by a network cable or its wireless card is turned on. Note: only devices that are registered with its Media Access Control (MAC) address can connect to our wireless network.
Routers lesson is at this website: https://sites.google.com/site/childrenandtechnology/presentation-12-message-routing
This is a more detailed picture of how our school’s computer network is set up. Ours is a backbone network that is mirrored in case of emergency or breakdowns. Now that you’ve played the “Routers Game” - where do you think information may be slowed down? What do you think slows this information down?
We have a number of school servers. Most are stored in the school server room in the Tech Department. There are more, but briefly explain what these servers are for:DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server- determines which computers are allowed wireless access to our network, according to each computer’s Media AccessControl (MAC) address. All ES and MS school owned laptops, iPads and other devices are all registered through this server. In addition, one device per staff or HS student is registered. DNS (Domain Name Server) – this server translates web addresses into IP addresses and visa versaData on School “G” – a place where students and staff backup, store and share files.PowerSchool – School Information System (SIS)Library server – library databaseOffice server – for school records not on PowerSchool. Only accessible to office staff
Discuss the fact that these sites may be used for academic purposes but should be avoided otherwise as they may slow down the network.Talk in pairs and then as a group about why this rule is part of the RUP.Discuss network traffic and how it differs from the traffic on a home network – including analogy of traffic on a highway. The more cars there are, the slower the traffic can be. Also, if there are more trucks, buses and larger vehicles on a highway, the traffic will move more slowly.
Check to see that your wireless is on (wireless connection) or that your network cable is plugged in on both sides (cable connection)Try to go to a different website to make sure the problem isn’t specific to the site you are visiting.Find others around you and ask if they are connected. If some are having difficulty and others not, see if you can figure out if those who are having difficulty have something in common, like the type of computer or device they are using, the part of the building they are in, etc. This way you will know if the problem is device-specific or if it is more widespread.If none of the above work – send an email to our school help desk. If the problem seems urgent, you may also call to report the problem.
