Communications, networks and the internet / web technologies
This is a diverse and comprehensive topic with a high degree of relevance to the lives of young people. Students will need to have an overview of the hardware and software involved in network communication, and how diverse systems can interoperate using agreed protocols. They might also be given an opportunity to learn web based coding using such languages as HTML/CSS, JavaScript or PHP/MySQL.
Networks and the internet
Students would find this Computing at School community resource useful as a revision resource for the topics of networks and the internet. It is suitable to be issued as a sequence of homework tasks.
Teaching TCP/IP
Using analogies to teach the topic of the TCP/IP networking is often a very useful strategy. This Computing at School community resource consist of three documents. The first provides a theory overview of the communication process. The second provides a range of links and activities, although some are aimed at younger students, they can be adapted for use with A level groups. The third document consists of the fictional messages that will be sent during the simulation.
The four layer TCP/IP model
This resource consists of a lesson plan from Cybersecurity Challenge UK on the topic of the TCP/IP model of networking. It would be useful as a topic introduction.
Wired and wireless networks
Another resource from Cybersecurity Challenge UK which consists of a lesson plan based around a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of wired and wireless networks. Students could prepare their points for homework or research them during the lesson.
Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) and My SQL Guide
A Computing at School community resource which provides a very comprehensive introduction to PHP and MySQL including setting up and configuring. This is useful as a “how to” guide for students.
Web technologies topic exploration pack
This resource consists of a number of activities including an investigation of search engine page rank and server-side scripting.
Networks topic exploration
There are a number of useful links and ideas for activities in this guide produced by the awarding body OCR. The document illustrates network communication using the seven layer Open Systems Interconnect model (rather than TCP/IP).
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) tutorial
This is an excellent online tutorial for HTML from w3schools. Students can use it as a reference or as a self-paced learning tool. Pages include interactive activities enabling students to test their code immediately.
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) tutorial
A very comprehensive introduction to CSS from w3schools. Students can use it as a reference tool or as self-paced learning. Pages include interactive activities enabling students to view output immediately.
Javascript tutorial
JavaScript is a very versatile scripting language for creating interactivity and effects in web pages. This tutorial from w3schools can be used as a reference site or for self-paced learning. Interactive activities enable students to see the output from the scripts immediately.
Serial data transmission
This document explores the finer points of data transmission and signal encoding but in a readable and comprehensive format. It covers different network media, signal propagation, interference and bandwidth. This would make a very useful reference resource for students.
Routing and deadlock in networks
Routers pass packets from network to network. This activity from the CS Unplugged series explores the relationship between efficient packet transfer and topology. Although it is aimed at younger students, a practical activity can often reinforce understanding while also making a theory topic more engaging and enjoyable.
