Goal: In this lesson, students are introduced to how computers communicate with one another through simple networks.

Time: 45 minutes

Context: TCP-IP is the communication protocol for the internet. It is the enabling structure for vast digital communications; among its many uses, it allows web pages to be remotely loaded, e-mails to be sent (and received), and files to be transferred. However, these mechanisms are not widely understood.

By teaching an overview for how computers communicate and through promoting an understanding of TCP/IP, we raise awareness about one of the most fundamental underpinnings of the ‘Internet’, and increasingly, the ‘Internet of things’.

The first of two lessons teach about how computers communicate with one another by using IP and MAC addresses. The second lesson explores the contents of an individual TCP/IP packet, and helps learners understand why packets are composed as they are.

Materials:

• Full two-lesson unit plan: [Online document]
• Individual lesson plan:  [Online document]

Special thanks to:

Doug Thompson, Microsoft Account Technology Strategist, for volunteering his time to craft these lessons.