Unit 3. Information and the Internet
Revision Date: Mar 12, 2017 (Version 2.1.1)Summary
In this lesson, students will analyze what the Internet is and its basic functionality. Students will learn how the Internet works and how the implementation of the Internet has affected our society. They will discuss the idea of the Internet as a delivery service to get bits from one place to another.
For Homework students should have read and made brief notes on the following sections from the "Blown to Bits" book (Online book link: http://www.bitsbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/B2B_3.pdf):
These sections are on pages 301-303 in the pdf version.
Outcomes
Overview
The Internet and the systems built on it have a profound impact on society.
The Internet has many layers and was designed to be fault tolerant with redundant features.
Student computer usage for this lesson is: required
Blown to Bits (Abelson, Ledeen, Lewis): http://www.bitsbook.com/
Optional Student Handout: Internet Change Student Handout
Answer Key for Teacher: Internet Change Answer Key
The following links provide background on the topics covered in this lesson:
Start with a VERY brief class discussion: How does the Internet work?
Journal: what is the difference between the Internet and a browser? How are they connected?
(Use the optional Student Handout for Unit 3 Lesson 1 if desired to guide all of the activities in this lesson. There is an answer key to the student handout for teachers to use as well.)
Demonstrate, using the following resources, how the Internet has grown from the small ARPANET system to what it is today.
Discuss the following sections from the "Blown to Bits" book briefly (Online book link: http://www.bitsbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/B2B_3.pdf):
These sections are on pages 301-303 in the pdf version.
Ask: How is all this information represented that is stored and sent on the Internet?
Answer: binary. lead students to develop the concept that lower level abstractions can be combined to make higher level abstractions such as texting (SMS), email, images, sound or video. (ie: one byte can represent one note, put notes together to make a sound track. 6 bytes make 1 color pixel. Put pixels together to make a picture. Put sound and pictures together to make video)
Students create a diagram of how an email might travel from its start point to the end point.
Encourage an inquiry-based session where students use what they have learned to form a more complete picture of how the Internet delivers information.
Demonstrate how to test bandwidth using the following sites:
Students should use the tool to come up with a question that can be answered by the tool. Students write an analysis that asks the question, answers the question and provide proof of why the answer is correct by providing screenshots of the tool in their report. ( http://www.akamai.com/html/technology/nui/industry/ ) or http://www.internetlivestats.com/ for live Internet stats.
(Note: Students can possibly start this assignment in class, but will likely need to complete as homework.)
In this activity, students will each share one thing they have learned from this lesson. This can be done in several ways depending on time constraints or disabilities. All students should participate in some way before leaving the classroom.
Using a real-time network tool that measures the number of views per minute, students generate a question that can be answered using this tool. They will then collect the data and write a report that answers this question. The report should use current real-time screenshots for data and examples. (Note: Students can possibly start this assignment in class, but will likely need to complete as homework.)
Possible question(s) to use for a future test: