GCSE Computer Networks
How does the internet work? How do the networks in our home work? What types of network are there? What shape are they? How do machines on networks communicate with each other? It is ever more vital that students know the answers to these and similar questions if they are to successfully navigate the networks they will encounter throughout their lifetime.
Both the physical layout of the networks we use (topologies) and their type are important distinctions that the modern user needs to be aware of. Students will learn about the shapes, and types, of modern and historical networks, along with their applications and the considerations that are needed when designing a network for a given task.
Networks
This resource consists of 5 lessons, each comes with a comprehensive presentation along with supporting worksheets and activities. The lessons start with a lesson on Network advantages and disadvantages along with the common Network Topologies, this then moves on to a second lesson detailing the hardware found in common network setups along with a discussion of the differences between Peer-To-Peer and Client/Server Networks. The third lesson looks at some of the protocols underpinning how the internet works focusing mainly on IPv4 with a brief mention of IPv6. The fourth lesson includes a discussion of HTML and related technologies, students are expected to produce a simple HTML page, the lesson closes with a discussion of some common file types. The last lesson has a number of topics which groups of students will then research and share with the rest of the group (these could be modified according to ability, topicality etc). Also included in the resource are a number of homework sheets and an end of unit test, along with a teacher's guide, which includes lesson plans and advice for differentiation.
Raspberry Pi Networking
This resource details an activity where students set up their own network of Raspberry Pis in a classroom, using another machine as their server. As with all of these sorts of activities, it is highly recommended to work through the whoole activity first, downloading the required software ahead of a lesson and double checking that the instructions are still relevant. By using the command line to get the Raspberry Pis communicating with each other, students should gain a better understanding of soem of the intricacies involved in setting up and maintaining a network.
Networked systems
A group research task where pupils investigate different aspects of the delivery of a digital improvement plan for a business. Looks at both the technical and ethical considerations of changing the digital infrastructure of a company.
