A short unplugged activity. This uses string and various other props to enable students to simulate the various network topologies required for GCSE Computing. The activities lead naturally into discussions around protocols, data collisions and reliability. A large open area may be required depending on the size...

This group task asks students to investigate how a logistics company could improve its digital infrastructure. Different groups research different aspects of implementing a digital improvement plan including:

• creating a network of computers
• using barcodes and barcode scanners
• ...

This Mathematics Matters case study, from the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, looks at how mathematical network theory helps to improve connections for global transport, internet and telephony networks. Modern society relies heavily on a variety of networks, but we don’t fully understand how they...

This series of five one-hour lessons covers computer networks at secondary-school level. The objectives of the lessons are:

• Describe what a network is, the difference between a LAN and a WAN and identify three network topologies.
• Describe pieces of hardware that are needed in a network.
...

This series of Core Maths presentations explore various network problems in a variety of contexts.

Networks: Teacher Guide
The teacher guide presentation contains four network problems with detailed solutions to the first two questions.

Networks: Problems
...

This collection of Nuffield Maths resources explores Decision maths. The demand is roughly equivalent to that in GCE A level. The resources include slide shows to introduce the topics, student sheets and teacher notes, as well as other relevant resources.

This ‘Networks’ activity introduces the terms used...

This resource contains some rules for an unplugged networking activity to model how routers and networks deal with transmitting packets of data. The activity is designed for 6 people to act as routers, who apply the routing rules to packets of data. There are 4 end points which send and receive packets according to...

This presentation includes a number of topics on Networks and HTML, and includes various exam questions and other activities for students to complete. The presentation covers a wide range of network related topics, briefly covering: Network Types, Media, Topology, Protocols, Handshaking, Transmission, TCP/IP and...

A scheme of work which although aimed at the upper end of Key Stage 2, is also suitable for delivery at the bottom end of Key Stage 3. The scheme contains a whole host of unplugged and plugged activities surrounding networks and communications, including the difference between the internet and the world wide web,...

This resource contains 6 presentations on various aspects of Networks and Network Management including

The Internet (DNS servers and IP addresses)

How Networks Communicate (IP addresses and packets)

Types of Network (Network topologies)

Peer-ToPeer vs Client/Server, LAN and WAN)

...

Students would find this Computing at School community resource useful as a revision resource for the topics of networks and the internet. It is suitable to be issued as a sequence of homework tasks.

This paper published in 2011 presents a case for extending partnership models of science teacher development in the UK through establishing a more formal networks of schools, universities and science learning centres. It uses social capital theory to argue that teacher learning is not simply about cognitive...

A study published in 2012 showed that possessing greater general knowledge about the brain does not appear to protect teachers from believing in “neuromyths” – misconceptions about neuroscience research in education. A study in Frontiers in Psychology found that teachers who are interested in the application of...

The resource reports on a survey of teachers and parents, to find out their views on how neuroscience affects education. The report is dated January 2014.

Using this resource students can develop an understanding of the structure and function of neurons via a series of different activities. These range from simplistic labelling of neurons and building a model motor neuron to constructing an electronic 3D simulation game that mimics brain activity. There are also...