My School Network task sheets plus Networks terms wordsearch - Computer Science / ICT

This resource is suitable for students learning about networks and their setup (Year 9+).

This pack includes the following:

• My School Network tasks - 6 pages (15 tasks plus example questions for the IT engineer at the school) (PDF)
• Above editable version
• My School Network completed sample - 7 pages (PDF)
• Above editable version
• Networks terminology wordsearch (54 words)

The 15 tasks were created to support Year 10 Computer Science and ICT students in their learning about Networks. The tasks were completed as the students went on a tour, led by the school’s head IT technician / engineer, of the school’s network setup. The tasks can be used / adapted for younger / older students, or depending on their abilities. In our case, the sheets were printed and students completed them by hand using clipboards, but it would also work fine if the students edit the Word document on their devices.

The tasks cover the basics including ‘Find out why we have a school network’, ‘Draw what you think the school’s server looks like’, several questions about the school’s backup procedure, questions regarding internet speed, and some sample questions to ask the IT technician / engineer in a Q&A session.

The students thoroughly enjoyed the tour, including being wowed by numbers and figures and being allowed to be near the server room, and felt a lot more savvy after understanding what all these devices were in the corridors, walls and ceilings. This definitely made their learning come to life and gave them a clearer understanding of networks and their setup. They also got to know the IT support staff a lot better and expressed great thanks at the end of the tour.

It’d be a good idea to meet up with the technicians / engineers in advance to plan out the tour and even prepare them with some of the questions that will be asked.