Lab 03: The Underpinnings of the Internet

Description: Why is it important to understand how the Internet works? Why do we have to look "under the hood" and get a little greasy discovering the parts of technology and the terminology behind them?

By having a foundation in the workings of the Internet and Internet terminology, you can make informed decisions while designing classroom curriculum that uses the Internet as a resource: know what limitations may exist in your school's technology environment; be able to communicate knowledgeably with support personnel when problems arise; and feel more confident as you tinker with new technology having a basic background.

By no means is it necessary for you to be an expert about the workings of the Internet. It's probably impossible to be an "expert" considering the rate at which the Internet and its uses are changing. But a practical knowledge of the Internet and Internet terminology will be invaluable if you wish to apply the Internet in the classroom.

Reading: Integrating Technology for Meaningful Learning, pp. 170-178
Applications/Equipment Used: Windows OS, Microsoft Word, Web Based Email Client
Skills: Curriculum Design
Lessons: Creating a Network Map & Understanding Bandwidth, Protocol, and Packets

Student Blackboard Basics I: Viewing Content
Student Blackboard Basics II: Interacting with Blackboard

Links

How Internet Infrastructure Works
The Animated Internet
How Does the Intenet Work?
Internet at Wikipedia

Lab Procedure:

1. Design a hands-on activity for students that explains a concept or set of concepts about the workings of the Internet. Below is a list of possible ideas.

• Internet diagram.
• How and why the Internet uses packets.
• Explaining various bandwidth speeds.
• Ways of connecting to the Internet.
• How to choose an ISP, Internet Service Provider.
• Explaining the relationship between clients and servers.

2. Save your activity design in a word document, appropriately named (jones_lab03.doc), with your last name, email address, and the lab number at the top of the document.

3. Review Student Blackboard Basics I and II (linked above). Log on to Blackboard. Go to your AC230 Digital Dropbox. Add AND Send your file. (Clicking SEND will automatically send the attached file to my Dropbox. Clicking ADD will only save the file in your dropbox.) The subject line should give your name and the lab number (Jones Lab 03).

4. You will not receive credit for labs missing your name OR lab number. Late labs will never receive more than 50% of the total points possible. Labs more than one week late will receive a zero. Labs 3 – 15 and 18, 19 MUST BE SUBMITTED TO MY DROPBOX IN BLACKBOARD.