Networking ~ Techies As Teachers

Overview How does networking work? Bilingual students with backgrounds in computer technologies demystify how information travels via global networking. By developing and presenting mini-workshops, they enhance the computer knowledge of their lower school classmates. Using the Internet, Cisco online curriculum, and other reference materials, these young techies learn to prepare teaching materials and lesson plans for hands-on presentations. Computer slide shows illustrate context-related situations like networking devices, media skills, and technology directions. As these bilingual students, many of them new immigrants, present information to a wide range of peers, they learn to appreciate their own strengths and improve their weaknesses. The workshops also let teacher-techies and their lower school classmates appreciate diversity by experiencing both the social and technical aspects of networking.

Classroom Activities
Community Activities
Career Activities
Agree to share computer know how with lower school classmates.
Record networking & teaching reflections in journal.
Review basic computer concepts, the effects of networking in K-12 schools, and networking terms.
Use digital camera to record photos for computer slide show directions.
Keep data logs for technical information.
Create computer slide shows to share with LSC.
Prepare poster boards, brochures & flyers for schoolwide learning festival.
Contact lower school classmates (LSC) & arrange mini workshops.
Meet & conduct ice breaker activities.
Introduce basic computer terminology to LSC.
Conduct online game quiz on computer terms.
Begin email correspondence with LSC on networking themes.
Conduct networking lab tour for LSC.
Identify devices for networking products.
Present computer slide shows on formatting hard disks & patching cables to LSC.
Display poster board in central location for school community.
Present slide shows & distribute brochures at learning festival for LSC, school community & guests.
Attend schoolwide career fair & investigate technology careers.
Interview representative from networking industry on all aspects of the career.
Compare instructors' lesson plans with plans for LSC lessons.
Hold round table discussion on related careers (photography, business, education, etc.) that use technology.
Conduct online research on technology careers.
Record steps in planning, organizing & presenting professional workshops.
Show computer slide show on computer careers at learning festival.
Share examples from electronic portfolios with classmates & LSC.

Learning Standards English Language Arts & Technology

Understand & use the writing process effectively.
Use proper technologies to present information effectively.
Word process, desktop publish, and incorporate multimedia in published reports.
Collaborate on projects that apply learning to educate others.
Obtain information from a variety of sources.
Engage in and facilitate group discussions.
Understand & work with technical information.
Resolve computer & network support problems.
Use application & system software & computer training equipment.
Use telecommunications to share information & ideas.

School to Career Competencies

Practice Communication & Literacy Skills.
Organize and Analyze Information.
Collect and Organize Information.
Solve Problems.
Use Technology.
Complete Entire Activities.
Act Professionally.
Understand All Aspects of the Industry.

Assessment Students keep their work in electronic portfolios that are rated on content, development, conventions, and School to Career competencies. Students and teacher assess project and various activities daily by sharing and reviewing journal writing, lesson plans and reflections, interviews and reports, essays and discussions. Lower school classmates and their teachers also evaluate presentations with a checklist. Regular journal reviews allow students and teacher to assess projects' effectiveness.

Software or Materials Used For project documentation: digital camera and scanner; for word-processing and recording lesson plans, documents, records: Microsoft Word; for creating slide shows: Microsoft PowerPoint; for data logs: Microsoft Excel; for invitations, brochures, posters: Microsoft Publishers and Photo Draw. Students also demonstrate how to fdisk the hard drive, install software, use a network card and network printer, and share files and printers with other classroom computers.

Web Sites Web Sites for Networking ~ Techies As Teachers

Keywords Computer Terminology, LAN, Networking, NIC, PC, RJ-45, Internet, Patch Cable, Wiring, School to Career, Service Learning, Technology, Technology Careers

Final Words When students play major roles in promoting basic computer concepts and terminology, not only do their technology skills improve, but their communication and presentation skills develop at an amazing rate.

Teacher Tip Practice, practice, practice. Better to make mistakes before classmates than to falter before an unfamiliar group.

E-mail contact Christina Yee cyee@boston.k12.ma.us

Teacher Bio Christina Yee, a bilingual science, math and computer technology teacher at Charlestown High School, has received 3 grants from the Schott Gender Equity Mini-Grant. She and her students have participated in Jump Start Technology mini courses through a Verizon EdLink Grant with Bunker Hill Community College. Christina is a certified Microsoft Office User Specialist and also a Cisco Networking Academy instructor. Top priorities for this teacher: 1. Prepare bilingual students with technology skills essential for post-secondary education success. 2. Encourage them to pursue science and technology careers. 3. Demonstrate how to actively contribute to the community.

Subject Areas English Language Arts, Technology

Grade Levels 9 -12

Students Bilingual technology students present workshops to lower school classmates. Adaptable for any technology class.

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