CS101 – Living with
Computers
ACTIVITIES &
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Chapter 6 (Classes 14-16):
- Answer
student questions.
- Demo
what’s on the CD
- Demo
what’s on the website
- Questions
for discussion:
- Describe
the nature and function of local-area networks and wide-area networks.
- Discuss
the uses and implications of electronic mail, teleconferencing, and other
forms of on-line communication.
- Describe
several types of communication services that are available with or
without an Internet connection.
- Describe
several types of electronic digital communication that don’t necessarily
involve personal computers.
- Describe
current and future trends in telecommunications and networking.
- Projects
- Break
class into small groups, connecting each group into a “network” using a
piece of wire or string. Assign
each a sentence from the text to read aloud. Start the “LAN” and ask students to observe what happens –
“collisions” between speakers.
Then instruct the participants to apply a simple collision
avoidance method – listen and don’t speak if anyone else is
speaking. Do collisions still
occur? Discuss what else can be
done to prevent them. Select spokesperson from group to report to class
(discuss group’s lists).
- Break
class into small groups. Why does
everyone want faster and faster modems?
Have each group estimate the size of a typical computer game. How long would it take to download
this game at 28,800 bps if you could buy it on-line? How long would it take at ISDN speeds
(128000bps)? Select spokesperson
from group to report to class on list (discuss groups’ lists).
- Bring
in software licensing agreement materials. Distribute the agreements to groups of students (3-4). Ask
the students to notice what the license says, and about use on a computer
network. Select spokesperson from
group to report to class on list (discuss groups’ lists).
- Break
the class into small groups to respond to the proposition: “Resolved: It should be illegal for any citizen of the U.S. to send an
encoded message unless the FBI shall be provided with the key.” Have each group report on three
specific thoughts.
- Bring
in an entire e-mail message, including headers. Distribute one to each group (3-4). Discuss what information beyond the
contents of the message itself is contained in the headers? (Sender and recipient addresses, text,
binary, information about kind of information contained, mail
transmission, etc.). Select
spokesperson from group to report to class on list (discuss groups’
lists).
- Chapter
6 Quiz: 3-5 short questions from the chapter review and 2-4 definitions
- Chapter
6 Assignment: page 176 - Project 1. (look at LH2, Purple Pub, etc.)
- Chapter
e-journal on Networking and Telecommunications
- Student
should find material from chapter in newspapers, magazines, or online
- Student
should discuss the most difficult concept for them in this chapter
- Student
should list any terms they do not understand