The first type of network is a local area network, or LAN.
LANs are mostly used in classrooms, buildings, or labs and are the simplest of the networks. They are smaller networks that serve only the individual computers connected to them. One of the perks of an LAN is that "all of the classrooms in a school can have access to the school's collection of software" (Smaldino, Lowther, & Russell, 2008, p. 161).
Another type of network showcased in our text is a wide area network (WAN).
Wide area networks are typically found on college campuses or in workplaces with multiple buildings, such as Google. These networks are wireless, depending on radio frequency, microwave, or infrared technology to connect the computers (Smaldino, Lowther, & Russell, 2008, p. 162). This gives users the opportunity to use laptops as well as desktop computers.
The fourth type of network is intranet.
An intranet is "a proprietary or closed network that connects multiple sites across the state, within the country, or around the world" (Smaldino, Lowther, & Russell, 2008, p. 162). Intranets may be connected by a larger source, such as the Internet, but outside users are blocked from using them due to firewall software. The biggest draw of intranets is that they allow selected individuals to access files and software that people outside of the intranet cannot.
Last but not least is the Internet.
If you are reading this blog post, you know about the Internet. The Internet is a network that brings computers all over the world together to share information. It is accessible by nearly everyone and is a great source of information in our ever-growing world.
It is important to know about the types of networks in case you have distance learners in your class. Also, it is essential that we understand a concept before using it.
SOURCES
[Graphic]. (2012, April 26). Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/internet-www-mouse-web-business-42583/
Campus [Photograph]. (2015, May 13). Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/campus-820878/
Google [Image]. (2013, January 29). Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/google-search-engine-browser-search-76517/
Matthew, S. (2014, September 7). [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/classroom-school-learn-student-435227/
Smaldino, S. E., Lowther, D. L., & Russell, J. D. (2008). Connecting learners at a distance. In Instructional technology and media for learning (p. 160). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.
Abbey,
ReplyDeleteI must have skimmed over the section of our text on networks. I mean most of what you wrote about is pretty much common knowledge but when I read some things, such as the section on the intranet, I read with wide eyes and curiosity. So thank you. I guess I need to be more diligent about my reading. I am a speed reader so skimming is my superpower as well as my weakness. Thank you for being so effective and concise in your post! You are awesome!!
Thanks, Melynda.
ReplyDeleteI tend to do the same thing when reading textbooks, so no worries. For my posts on here, I try to find topics I do not know much about so it won't be boring for me :) I am glad you were able to learn something new from my post!
P.S. - You are awesome too!!
Abbey,
ReplyDeleteGreat summary! I tend to try to add several details...and then a few more...until it my piece is not longer a summary at all! You found the right balance between too little and too much. :)
One I have is about the intranet...would it be used for, say, a megachurch with multiple locations? I know that is probably an odd example, but for some reason, I am having trouble wrapping my head around that one. I guess I need to borrow your and Melynda's brains! ;)
p.s. Thanks for all the pictures you include! It makes your posts more appealing and easy to read--something I could learn from!
Hannah,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words. As for your question, an example of intranet would be Barclay College's online network. We can access the class assignments and the Scribe because we have been granted access. Other people who are not part of the online program cannot (hopefully) get in due to security and firewall.
You have used an important teacher skill here! You took what was in the text, put it in an interesting and understandable format and taught the information. I saw that you chose a topic you were not familiar with so you would learn. I have learned more as a teacher than as a student. This is a great example of how to do that!
ReplyDelete