NETWORK TOPOLOGIES LESSON PLAN

KEY LEARNING AREA: CLASS:

LESSON TOPIC DATE / TIME

STUDENT READINESS (What the school students need to know/have experienced prior to this
lesson)
Over the last few lessons, students have been looking at different aspects of a networking system. They have
looked at protocols (how data is transferred from one spot to another), data transmission modes, rates and
medium and network basics (types and components).

OUTCOMES By the end of this lesson, the school students should be able to:
Bold = Syllabus outcome Italics/Underline = My rephrasing
Skills:
5.2.1 Describes and applies problem-solving processes when creating solutions
Describes each network topology when comparing advantages and disadvantages of each

5.2.2 Designs, produces and evaluates appropriate solutions to a range of challenging problems
Evaluates and produces each network topology through graphical interpretation and questioning

Attitudes/Values:
5.3.2 Acquires and manipulates data and information in an ethical manner
Acquires and manipulates data about each network topology in an ethical manner

Resources:
- Board of Studies NSW (2003). Information and Software Technology Years 9-10: Syllabus. Sydney: BOS
- Powers. G.K (2004). Information and Software Technology. Melbourne. Heinemann Publishing
- Ware. P Eds. (2005). Information and Software Technology 7-10. Sydney. Jacaranda Publishing
- Wilson. C. (2007) Exploring Information and Software Technology. Melbourne. Cambridge University Press
- Smart board
- Computer room
- Word Documents (Network Topologies Info.doc Appendix 1)
(Network Topologies.doc Appendix 3)
(T Copy.doc Appendix 4)
- Smart board Document (Network Topology Diagrams.xbk Appendix 2)
 SEQUENCE (Clearly Indicate Introduction / Development / Conclusion
Time WHAT IS TAUGHT (CONTENT) HOW IT IS TAUGHT (TEACHING/LEARNING
STRATEGIES)
1:30pm INTRODUCTION: INTRODUCTION:
(3 min) T asks Ss to move to their computers, log onto
the network and stand quietly behind their
seats. T sets up the smart board and opens up
the network topologies info.doc (Appendix 1)
which is displayed on the smart board.
T greet Ss, Ss sit quietly

Describes each network topology T explains that the lesson will be about
(star, ring, bus) Network Topologies (Star, Ring, Bus)
T asks Ss to turn their monitors off for their
attention to the smart board.
(10 min) Q) What is a Network Topology? T asks questions about network topologies with
A) Physical arrangement (cabling the Network Topologies Info.doc (Appendix
arrangement) of the devices on a Local 1) as assistance.
Area Network T asks Ss by name and a raised hand for their
Q) Does anybody know the different responses to the questions.
types of network topologies? T praises Ss on their answers
A) Star, Ring and Bus *ASSESS*
Q) What is a star topology?
A) A network topology that has a
central node with each device
connected directly to it.
Q) What is a ring topology?
A) A network topology where all nodes
are attached in the shape of a closed
loop.
Q) What is a bus topology?
A) A network topology where all the
nodes are attached to a cable called the
bus.

Q) Can you please put your monitors T gets Ss to turn their monitors back on and to
back on now, open a new word open up a new word document to type up notes
(7 min)
document and type the information from Network Topologies Info (Appendix 1)
shown on the smart board. which is displayed on the smart board.
 DEVELOPMENT: DEVELOPMENT:

1:50pm Evaluates each network topology T gets Ss to log onto the Internet to research a
through graphical interpretation. diagram of each network topology and to copy
(5 min) these diagrams into their word document with
the notes about network topologies.
T monitors and assists.

Q) Can you please save your work as T gets Ss to save their work and then turn their
Network Topologies and turn off your monitors off once again and face the front with
monitors and face the front? their attention to the smart board.
T opens up a smart board document Network
Topology Diagrams (Appendix 2).
Evaluates each network topology T goes through each network topology in more
through questioning. detail.
(5 min)
Q) What type of wiring from what we T asks Ss more questions related to network
discussed last lesson do you think is topologies with reference to the smart board
used for each topology? document (Appendix 2).
A) Bus Topology coax cable T asks Ss by name and a raised hand for their
Star Topology twisted pair responses to the question.
Ring Topology twisted pair T praises Ss on their answers.
Q) Can anyone suggest when each *ASSESS*
network topology might be used?
A) Bus Topology school bus stopping
at each bus stop along its route.
Star Topology this classroom is set up
as a star topology.
Ring Topology mail delivered by the
post man.

Compares advantages and T explains advantages and disadvantages about

CONCLUSION: CONCLUSION:

Q) Can you please turn your monitors T gets Ss to put their monitors back on and to
2:05pm back on and open up the word open up the word document Network
document called Network Topologies Topologies (Appendix 3), which is located in
which is in your Year 9 workgroup their Year 9 IST workgroup folder.
folder?
 Acquires and manipulates data about T explains the advantages and disadvantages
each network topology in an ethical activity to the Ss. (see Appendix 3).
(10 min)
manner.

Q) Can you cut and paste all of the T demonstrates the activity to Ss by doing an
advantages and disadvantages dot example with Ss.
points at the bottom of the page into the T monitors and assists Ss while they complete
correct topology in the table? the activity.

(3 min) Q) Can you please face the front and T gets Ss to face the front to correct the
we will go through the answers? answers to the activity with reference to T copy
of the student activity (Appendix 4).
*ASSESS*

(2 min) Q) Can you please save your work you Ss save their work under their folders and log
have completed as Network off their computers.
Topologies and log off?

2:20pm Dismiss class when all Ss are quiet.