Network/Hardware Lesson Plan

ETEC 5303

Your Name: Lindsey Sexton

Lesson Title: Intro to Networking

Introduction: This lesson is intended for 4H STEM students ages 14 – 18. This lesson
will help students learn the process of networking and networks and how all the
hardware and software work together form different types of networks.

Content Area and Grade or Age Level of Student(s):

4H STEM Club 9th - 12th Grade

Objectives:
Students will be able to determine if a particular network is a WAN or a LAN
Students will be able to compare and contrast different network topology structures
Students will be able to identify different types of hardware use when creating a network
Students will develop an explanation of how hardware and software work together
Students will be able to use technology to optimize their use for learning and
productivity
Students will be able to configure and troubleshoot hardware, software, and network
systems

Standards Addressed:
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Technology Operations and Concepts

Timeline: (2) 50 minute lessons

Materials:
Computers
Network Troubleshooting Simulation software
STEM Journals
WAN vs. LAN handout
Network Topology Comparison handout
Network and Hardware Summary Handout

Grouping Strategies:
Four computers will be available. Groups of 3 will gather around a computer. One will
read issue/assignment and be responsible for keeping group on task. One will conduct
search or practice set-up using computer. One will record results. The other students will
work in groups of three to complete scenario/response activity.
Learning Activities:
• Students will complete the Network Topology activity
• Students will conduct an Internet search to find out how hardware and software
work together and record their findings in their STEM journal
• Students will complete the WAN vs. LAN activity
• Students will set-up network and connect devices using simulation soft-ware
• Scenario/response activity will focus on troubleshooting network errors and non-
connectivity. Students will work on this activity while they are waiting for their
groups turn to practice on the computer.

Diversity: Modifying activities to address learners with special needs.

One will read issue/assignment and be responsible for keeping group on task. One will
conduct search or practice set-up using computer. One will assist practitioner. One will
record results.

Assessment: Project – based assessment

Students will create Networks and Hardware findings poster:
Students will demonstrate ability to identify whether a particular network is a WAN or
LAN through finding their own examples of WAN and LAN and comparing the two.
Students will compare and contrast different types of network topology: mesh, ring,
star, and bus and will display examples of each with specifications listed below.
Students will explain how hardware and software work together and will create a
diagram depicting the process.
Students will configure and troubleshoot hardware, software, and network systems to
optimize their use for learning and productivity through a simulated computer-based
activity and record their results.

References: List any references used when developing the lesson. These may be
online or offline references.

Computer Networks
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ate10.sci.engin.design.networks/computer-
networks/

Thinkfinity http://www.thinkfinity.org/welcome

About.com http://compnetworking.about.com/od/basicnetworkingconcepts/

Diffen http://www.diffen.com/difference/LAN_vs_WAN

Comparison Source http://www.docstoc.com/docs/114873215/Network-Topology-

Comparison

Network Simulator http://www.boson.com/netsim-cisco-network-simulator

 WAN vs. LAN
Compare and contrast a local area network (LAN) with a wide area network (WAN). Then,
evaluate the networks on the reverse side of this worksheet. Decide which is a WAN and which is
a LAN using the criteria you’ve set.

Local Area Network Wide Area Network

(LAN) (WAN)

Definition

Speed

Hardware

Connection

Geographical
Spread

Bandwidth

Geographical
Area
Network Image Sources
http://www.conceptdraw.com/samples/network-diagram
http://www.tredent.com/wan-optimization/
 Network Topology Comparison
Review the Intro to Computer Networks which can be found at http://bit.ly/MJeW3u. Identify the following
network topologies then compare the four types.

Information
Setup Expansion Troubleshooting
Transfer

Bus

Mesh

Star

Ring

Image Source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_topology

Comparison Source http://www.docstoc.com/docs/114873215/Network-Topology-Comparison
Issue: Unable to connect
laptop to network Signifcance:
The Internet is one giant wide area network (WAN) made
up of millions of smaller WANs. WANs are used to trans-
mit data over long distances between different local area

X  networks (LANs).

LANs are used to transmit data over smaller geographical

areas and allow devices such as computers, printers, fax
machines, phones, servers, and routers to communicate.

Cause:
Each of these devices require an IP address, a unique
Incomplete TCP/IP identifier, in order for the network hardware to know
configuration which process/request is intended for which device on
the LAN.

At every level whether device to LAN, LAN to WAN, or

WAN to Internet the appropriate hardware is working in
the background enabling all of this communication.

Network Topology Examples:

Network Hardware Examples:

Nodes are devices that are connected to a network

Solution: Enter IP address to

complete config
Links may be wired or wireless and they connect nodes
and networks to other nodes and networks.

155. 98 . 99 . 120
Routers determine which network gets your data next
and the fastest route available for your data packets.
Switches make sure the data gets to its destination.
Image Sources:
Laptop - https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRyTqSng5mK_B8DA0BWZxbRIxajv8-RiVlo8TY4Md18
DiY5ovmqiw
Router - https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR0cO9TAb6ivh6Cli8zBOez6wzLguuhLd0VubnTAwS
YUWeDjrxY
Server - http://www.atjeu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/servers.png
TCP/IP Properties - http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/network_protocols/network_protocols05.gif
LAN Network - http://www.conceptdraw.com/samples/network-diagram
WAN Network - http://www.tredent.com/wan-optimization/
Network Topology - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_topology

Sound Source:
Office with Typing - http://freesound.org/search/?q=office

Content Sources:
Wide area network - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_area_network
Local area network - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_area_network
Router - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Router_(computing)
Networking hardware - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Networking_hardware
OSI model - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSI_model
Transmission Control Protocol - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmission_Control_Protocol
ICANN - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICANN
What is an IP address? - http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/basics/question549.htm
Computer Architecture Basics - http://compnetworking.about.com/od/basiccomputerarchitecture/
Netoworking Basics - https://www.cisco.com/cisco/web/solutions/small_business/resource_center/articles/connect_
employees_and_offices/networking_basics/index.html
TCP/IP - http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/TCP-IP
IP Addresses - http://voip.about.com/od/voipbasics/a/IPAddress.htm
Computer Networks - http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ate10.sci.engin.design.networks/computer-networks/
Thinkfinity - http://www.thinkfinity.org/welcome
About.com - http://compnetworking.about.com/od/basicnetworkingconcepts/
Diffen - http://www.diffen.com/difference/LAN_vs_WAN
Comparison Source - http://www.docstoc.com/docs/114873215/Network-Topology-Comparison
Network Simulator - http://www.boson.com/netsim-cisco-network-simulator
Topology Comparison - http://www.docstoc.com/docs/114873215/Network-Topology-Comparison