Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2
DATA COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK SYSTEMS
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
DATA COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK SYSTEMS
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Computing
Class: SHS 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 18
Grade code: 2.1.3.LI.2
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 3
Content standard code: 2.1.3.CS.1
Indicator code: 2.1.3.LI.2
Theme: COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE & ORGANISATION
Subtheme: DATA COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK SYSTEMS
This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.
For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.
In today's Ghana, the Internet is everywhere. We use it to chat with friends on WhatsApp, watch videos on YouTube, check our BECE or WASSCE results, pay for our ECG bills using mobile money, and even attend online classes. But have you ever stopped to think about *how* your phone or your school's computer actually connects to this massive global network? This lesson will demystify the process. We will move beyond just using the internet and learn the practical steps and components required to get a device online. Understanding this is a fundamental digital skill for every 21st-century citizen.
This section breaks down the essential ideas you need to understand how we get online. A. What is the Internet? Think of the Internet as a global network of interconnected computers. It's like a massive, worldwide road system, but instead of cars, it transports data (websites, messages, videos). Your computer or phone is like a house, and to get onto this road system, you need a driveway and an address. B. Essential Components for Connection
To connect your "house" to the Internet "road system," you need three key things: A Computing Device: This can be a desktop computer, a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, or a smart TV. An Internet Service Provider (ISP): This is the company you pay for access to the Internet. Analogy: Think of the Ghana Water Company. They provide the main pipes that bring water to your community. You pay them for access to the water. Similarly, ISPs like MTN, Telecel (formerly Vodafone), and AirtelTigo own the infrastructure that connects Ghana to the global Internet. You buy a data bundle or a broadband subscription from them to get access. Networking Hardware (Modem & Router): These devices act as the gateway between your home/school network and the ISP. Modem: A modem (Modulator-Demodulator) is the device that "translates." It converts the digital signals from your computer into analogue signals that can travel over the ISP's lines (fibre optic, telephone line) and vice-versa. It's the bridge to the wider Internet. Router: A router is like a traffic police officer for your local network. It takes the single internet connection from the modem and shares it among multiple devices (your phone, your laptop, your sibling's tablet) either through cables or wirelessly. It creates your Local Area Network (LAN). In Ghana Today: Most devices provided by ISPs (like the MTN Turbonet or Telecel broadband device) are modem-router combo units. They perform both functions in a single box. Your smartphone also has this technology built-in. C. Types of Internet Connections
There are two main ways your device can make the final connection. Wired Connection (Ethernet) What it is: This uses a physical cable called an Ethernet cable (often blue, with a plastic clip at the end called an RJ-45 connector) to connect your device directly to the router or a network port in the wall. Pros: Very fast, stable, and secure. It's not affected by distance from the router or walls. Cons: You are physically tied to the location of the network port. Not practical for mobile devices like phones. Demonstration Steps (Connecting a Laptop via Ethernet): Locate the Ethernet port on your laptop. It looks like a larger telephone jack. Locate a free LAN port on the back of the router (usually labelled 1, 2, 3, 4). Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the laptop's port until it clicks. Plug the other end into the router's LAN port until it clicks. On your computer (Windows/macOS), the network icon in the taskbar should change to a computer screen with a cable icon. You are now connected. No password is required for this step. Wireless Connection (Wi-Fi) What it is: This uses radio waves to send data between your device and the router, eliminating the need for cables. The router broadcasts a wireless signal, creating a "Wi-Fi network." Pros: Very convenient and allows for mobility. You can connect multiple devices without cables. Cons: Can be slower than a wired connection. The signal gets weaker with distance and obstacles like concrete walls. It requires a password for security. Demonstration Steps (Connecting a Laptop to Wi-Fi - Windows 10/11): Look for the Wi-Fi icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen (it looks like a series of curved lines). If it has a globe or an 'x' on it, you are not connected. Click on the Wi-Fi icon. A list of available Wi-Fi networks will appear. These are called SSIDs (Service Set Identifiers). Identify the correct network name (e.g., "GIS_ICT_Lab" or "MTN_Fibre_A4B2"). Click on the network name you want to join, and then click the "Connect" button. You will be prompted to enter the network security key (password). Type the password carefully (it is case-sensitive). Click "Next" or "OK". The Wi-Fi icon should now be solid white, indicating a successful connection. You can now open a browser like Chrome or Edge and visit a website like `www.google.com.gh`. Mobile Data / Hotspot What it is: This is a very common method in Ghana. It uses your smartphone's SIM card connection to an ISP (e.g., MTN 4G) to access the Internet. You can then use the phone's "hotspot" feature to turn it into a portable Wi-Fi router, sharing its data connection with other devices like a laptop. Demonstration Steps (Creating a Mobile Hotspot on an Android Phone): Go to "Settings" on your smartphone. Find and tap on "Network & Internet" or "Connections". Look for "Hotspot & Tethering" or "Mobile Hotspot" and tap it. You can configure the hotspot by setting a Network Name (SSID) (e.g., "Kofi's Laptop Net") and a strong password. This is very important for security! Toggle the switch to turn the Mobile Hotspot ON. Now, on your laptop, follow the Wi-Fi connection steps above. You should see "Kofi's Laptop Net" in the list of available networks. Connect to it using the password you just created.
Guided Practice (With Solutions)