Unit 3 – Computing Foundations for a Digital Age

Unit outline: Here

Unit Length: 12 class periods

Unit Introduction

How does information travel from one device to another—and what keeps a network working as it grows or when something goes wrong?

In this unit, students explore how computer networks and the Internet function through hands-on simulations, physical network models, packet challenges, and design activities. Students learn how devices communicate, how information finds its destination, why computers need agreed-upon communication rules, and how network design affects scalability and reliability.

Throughout the unit, students build, test, grow, and break networks to develop a practical understanding of the systems they use every day.

Unit Objective

Students will explain how computer networks function, model how information travels between connected devices, and evaluate how network design affects scalability and reliability.

Standards Covered

4565.D4.3 — Explain what networks (including the Internet) are and explore the fundamental principles and components of computer networking.

4565.D3.2 — Evaluate the scalability and reliability of networks by describing the relationship between routers, switches, servers, topology, and addressing.

Primary Focus: 4565.D4.3 and 4565.D3.2. Connections to privacy, security, and the societal role of networked technology reinforce concepts addressed elsewhere in the course.

Word Bytes

Network — A group of connected computing devices that can send and receive data.
Data — Information that can be stored, processed, or communicated by a computing device.
Online — When a computing device is connected to a network and can send and receive data.
Client — A computing device that requests information or resources from another computer.
Server — A computer that stores and provides websites, files, messages, or other information when requested.
Switch — A network component that helps send information to the correct device within a local network.
Router — A network component that helps forward information between networks and commonly connects a local network to the Internet.
Data Request/Response — A process in which one computing device requests information and another device returns the requested information.
IP Address — A unique numerical address used to identify a device on a network and help direct information to the correct destination.
Domain Name — A human-friendly name used to identify a website or Internet resource.
Domain Name System (DNS) — A system that translates domain names into the numerical IP addresses computers use to locate destinations.
Data Packet — A smaller piece of information transmitted through a network as part of a larger message.
Protocol — An agreed-upon set of rules that devices follow when communicating.
HTTP — A protocol used when requesting and receiving web content.
TCP — A protocol that helps information be delivered reliably and put back together correctly.
Scalability — The ability of a network to continue working as the number of devices or demands on the network increase.
Topology — The way devices and components within a network are arranged and connected.
Reliability — The ability of a network to continue performing its intended functions when problems occur.
Redundancy — Using additional components or connections so another option may be available if part of a network fails.

Daily Breakdown

Day 1: What Is a Network?

Students explain what a computer network is and model how information moves between connected devices through a hands-on human network activity.

Day 2: Who Does What in the Network?

Students identify the roles of clients, servers, switches, and routers and model how requests and responses move through a network.

Day 3: How Does the Internet Know Where to Find You?

Students explore IP addresses, domain names, and DNS and model how addressing helps devices locate destinations.

Day 4: Why Does the Internet Break Things Into Pieces?

Students model how information can be divided into data packets, transmitted, and reassembled.

Day 5: Computers Need Rules

Students explain why computers need agreed-upon communication rules and compare the basic purposes of HTTP and TCP.

Day 6: Be the Internet

Students operate a complete physical network model using clients, servers, switches, routers, DNS, addressing, packets, and protocols.

Day 7: Can the Network Handle It?

Students explore scalability by modifying a working network to accommodate additional devices and changing needs.

Worksheet: Grow the Network Recording Sheet

Day 8: What Happens When the Network Breaks?

Students test individual component and connection failures, trace their effects, and explore how redundancy can improve reliability.

Days 9–10: Build a Better Network

Students apply their understanding to create a network design that works, can grow, and can respond to problems.

Worksheet: Build a Better Network Design Sheet

Days 11–12: Network Challenge — Build It. Send It. Grow It. Break It.

Students complete a culminating hands-on challenge in which they design, test, grow, break, improve, and defend a working network model.

Worksheets: Network Challenge Rubric, Network Challenge Culmination Sheet

Printable Resource PDFs

Network Components & Device Cards — Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9–10, and 11–12

Message, Request & Packet Cards — Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 11–12

Challenge, Growth & Failure Cards — Days 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9–10, and 11–12

Optional Extension: Same Parts, Different Network

Students explore how different network arrangements can affect scalability, reliability, and resource needs. This extension may include simplified star, bus, ring, and mesh models and is not required for proficiency in the core unit.

Note

This unit is designed as a 12-day introduction to networks and the Internet for students with little or no prior computer science experience. Hands-on modeling is emphasized so students encounter networking concepts through building, moving information, testing systems, and solving problems before being expected to use technical vocabulary.

Teachers may adjust individual activities based on classroom time, available materials, and student readiness. The optional topology extension provides additional depth for classes that have time or interest in further exploring network design.