Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Explain how data travels on the internet.
• Describe the function and types of IP addresses.
• Navigate the web effectively and safely.
• Create and manage an email account.

Lesson summary

This lesson explores the magical journey our information takes when we go online. Every time you send a WhatsApp message, watch a video on YouTube, or check the BECE results on the WAEC portal, data is travelling across a global network to and from your device. Understanding this process is fundamental to becoming a digitally literate citizen. We will break down how the internet works, from the way data is chopped into small pieces to the special addresses every device needs to communicate. We will then apply this knowledge to practical skills like browsing the web efficiently and using email, a professional tool for communication in academics and the world of work.

Lesson notes

This topic can be broken down into four main areas: (A) How Data Travels, (B) IP Addressing, (C) Surfing the Web, and (D) Email Communication. A. How Data Travels on the Internet: Packet Switching

Imagine you want to send a very long, important letter from Accra to a friend in Tamale using Ghana Post. Instead of sending it as one giant sheet of paper that could easily get lost or damaged, you decide to do something clever: You cut the letter into 10 smaller, numbered paragraphs. You put each paragraph into its own small envelope. On each envelope, you write your friend's full address (the destination) and your own address (the source). You post all 10 envelopes.

These envelopes might travel on different buses (routes) and arrive at the Tamale post office at slightly different times. But because they are numbered and have the correct address, your friend can collect all 10 envelopes and reassemble them in the correct order (1, 2, 3...) to read your full letter.

The Internet works in a very similar way. This process is called Packet Switching. Packet: When you send data (like a picture, a video, or an email), the internet doesn't send it as one big file. It breaks the data into small, manageable chunks called packets. Header: Each packet is given a "header," which is like the address on the envelope. It contains information like the source IP address (where it's from), the destination IP address (where it's going), and the packet number (e.g., packet 3 of 10). Routers: These are special devices on the internet that act like post office workers or trotro station masters. They look at the destination address on each packet and decide the best path to send it on its next step towards the final destination. A packet may pass through many routers on its journey. Reassembly: Once all the packets arrive at the destination device (e.g., your friend's phone), the device uses the packet numbers to reassemble them in the correct order to recreate the original file (the picture, video, or email).

Evaluation guide

• Explore how data travels on the Internet, how the IP addressing system
• functions and discuss surfing the W eb, creating and use of e -mail and mailing
• lists.
• ● Present and demonstrate how data travels on the internet, allowing learners to