The Internet and the World Wide Web for Mathematics Learning (Week 7)

Introduction

Hello everyone and welcome back to my third post. This week, we discussed networks and Internet and their applications in teaching and learning Mathematics. To my amazement, there are many things I should know as a teacher such as computer networks, network

security, expanding connectivity through telecommunication, internet tools and services, Internet service providers, Internet-based communications, other internet services, and using Internet in teaching and learning. 

Networks and Internet

Under this section, our lecturer highlighted the importance of knowing and comprehending these terminologies that are related to networks and the Internet. At first, I struggled to understand the way these mechanisms work, but as our lecturer broke down the entire circle of this topic, I began to understand how these devices work as separate entities and also together to make information shareable. I have compiles the main aspects and their definitions and usages for better perception in regard to this topic.

Network and Internet Terminology	Definition and Usage
Computer Networks	Enables people to communicate with each other through stand-alone computers. Mainly used to share resources.
Internet	·A global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the standard Internet protocol suite. For communication across the globe. Carries an extensive range of information, resources and services
Server	Powerful computer that connects individual workstations to each other and also to the shareable peripherals such as printers. Server, workstations, peripherals, and wiring that connect them, make up the network.
Hub	Equipment that connects the workstations, and it is connected to the server. Smaller networks that connect machines in classrooms/ schools are known as local area networks (LANs). Larger networks that connect machines for schools in a district or all districts in a state are called wide area networks (WANs).
Protocol	Common standardized communication format. Enable workstations to communicate with one another within LAN, WAN or Internet networks.
Bandwidth	Measures the amount of data that can transfer through a communications channel over a given period of time. Small Bandwidth: Small files. Medium Bandwidth: Medium files (documents, spreadsheets, and simple graphics). Large Bandwidth: Large files (graphics, documents), Very Large Bandwidth: Very large files.
Packets	Small files or sub-files of a larger file which are broken down by the sending server. They will be reassembled at the receiving end into its original form.
Privacy and security	Sharing of files should be limited, student’s work should be kept private. Networks limit access only to users of the files through usage of ID and password.

A server

A hub

 A bandwidth

A network of packets

Sharing and Communicating via a Network

The use of computers and networks allows us to communicate, to share data and to seek information quickly. Here, we will dive into the topic of how sharing and communicating via a network occurs. In our class, we had mainly focused on the 7 ways information transfer is done which will be shown in a table form below for better insight.

Networked programs	Can be installed in a server and can be used by other (networked) users. Save money and time as it does not need to be installed separately in each computer. Easier to upgrade.
Shared data	Store the public-domain data with free or protected accesses. Store personal data in server, which is retrievable anytime and anywhere (for individual users).
Shared administration	Developed or purchased for a school district and stored in a server. Used by school administrators and teachers within the school district. Group software providing common features such as calendar, address book or reservation list.
Shared academic tool	Allow a teacher to monitor what students are doing at various workstations (e.g. Padlet.com). Used by students in the classroom or at home
Shared hardware	Computers can be linked together through LAN or Internet to just one printer for printing services. Saves money.
E-mail	Sent and received from anywhere, anytime. Forward a received e-mail with added notes about the e-mail or instruction to the second user.  Address book (stores email addresses of email users). Cc (send “carbon copy” to others). Bcc (send “blind carbon copy” without other recipients knowing).
E-mail in T & L process	Assignment transmission where teachers can mark/ check work and resend the mail back to students. Class discussions where questions can be answered in groups and answers be given back to groups.

Telecommunication Technologies

Expanding connectivity	Communicate digital data through telephone lines. Stand-alone computers can be connected to other computers.
Modem	A translating device that changes the digital signals (from computers) at the sending end to analogue signals and vice versa. MOdulate (translate) + DEModulate (translate back) = MODEM
Home to home network connections	Stand-alone computer connected to networks (e.g. home computer to school network) using special telecommunication software.
Internet	Made up of millions of computers across the world that had agreed to share their resources. Common protocol called TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/Internet protocol) is used to connect computers to each other.
Internet service providers (ISP)	Companies that provide home users with access to the Internet through their own network connections and communication software. E.g. phone lines, e-mail service.

Internet Based Communications

In this section, we learnt that online communication tools can be separated into two categories which are synchronous and asynchronous. Synchronous communication technology allows for real time communication, while asynchronous communication technology allows a person to communicate at his convenience. The table below shows the important communications softwares that we had focused during our class.

ISP services	Definition and Usage
Internet access	Allows connection of computers at home/school to other computers
Browser	Provides the tools for surfing the Internet
E-mail	Electronic mailbox Synchronous (same-time) and asynchronous (time-shifted)
Chat rooms	Virtual, real-time chat space Communicate via typing or voice Synchronous Public or private
Instant messaging	Provides services that allow users to have one-to-one chat with Internet users outside the ISP network. Download free ISP chat software to communicate with each other.

We also learned about File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and Newsgroups. FTP is a method used to transfer files between computers on the Internet, i.e. to upload or download files to or from the Internet whereas newgroups are can be formed using Internet for users to present their opinions (a public conference) on specific topics.

Using the Internet in Teaching and Learning

There are many internet services that help to open up minds of young learners when it comes to the classroom environment. Virtual learning is now here thanks to online softwares and its availability today. Students can now learn at their own pace and the chalk and talk system is slowly being eradicated. More and more games, activities, forums, textbooks and other educational items are being uploaded and updated online which saves time and cost as compared to before. Thus it is important that we continue to upgrade the resources we have and make proper use of all our softwares in enhancing our teaching and learning process.

Thank you for making it to the end of this post. Do leave your opinions in the comment's section so I may improve in my upcoming posts. See you soon! 😄