Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002 Networks and the Internet Chapter 7 Technology in Teaching and Learning

Allyn and Bacon 2002Teaching and Learning with Technology

Networks and the Internet

Chapter 7

Technology in Teaching and Learning

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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.


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 [email protected]

• Email address differ from URLs



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



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



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



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



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


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


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


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

Documents

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002 Networks and the Internet Chapter 7 Technology in Teaching and Learning