Computer Lesson Plan

Date: April 29, 2014

Grade: 7
Subject: Computer
Duration: 1 hr
Lesson Topic: Network Topologies
Sub-Topic: Star Topology
Specific Objectives:
1. After engaging students in a treasure hunt activity entitled find the parts students
should be able to:
i) Manipulate the main components of a star topology.
ii) Arrange the layout of a star topology.

2. After viewing PowerPoint presentation entitled star topology students should be able:
i) Define star topology.
ii) Explain in ones own words how data is transferred in a star topology.
iii) Infer the function of the components of a star topology

3. During engagement of students in data transferring in a star topology activity students
should be able to:
i. Be motivated to share the advantages of using the star topology.
ii. Listen as others share the disadvantages of using the star topology
Content Summary: Star topology also known as star network, is a system that all computers are
connected to a central device known as the hub or switch hence all of the computer share data
through the hub or switch. As compared to the bus topology it gives far much better performance
as sent signal reaches the intended destination after passing through no more than 3-4 devices
and 2-3 links; a new node can be easily connected to the existing network by connecting it with
unused port of hub; if there is a fault in cable connected with computer, only the particular
computer get affected; centralized management is facilitated as the network is monitored by the
hub or switch; and less cable required than a mesh topology therefore it is affordable by small
organisations. On the other hand if the Hub or switch get faulty, all computer connected to it will
be affected; the capacity of the central device affects the performance of the network as well as
the number of nodes that can be added; and traffic increased when computers are simultaneously
sending data to each other.
Key Vocabulary: hub, switch, nodes, cable, star topology, data, network
Skills: Arranging a star topology, provide an explanation of how data is transferred in a star
topology, share ideas on the advantages and disadvantages of using a star topology
Resource Materials:
Star topology: Advantages and disadvantages. Retrieved on April 23, 2014 from
http://www.ianswer4u.com/2011/05/star-topology-advantages-and.htm#axzz2yWEYBaYt
Star topology-Telecom ABC. Retrieved on April 23, 2014 from
http://www.telecomabc.com/s/star.html
What is star topology?-Computer Hope. Retrieved on April 23, 2014 from
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/startopo.htm
Instructional Materials: chart with definition of terms, video, PowerPoint presentation, picture
cards, blank strips of paper, markers
Procedures:
Teachers Actions/Tasks Students Action/Task

Teachers will: Students will:
Introduction

Use number heads to group students in five
groups and invite students to play treasure hunt
activity entitled find the parts


Use identical numbers counted by the teacher
to form five group and play treasure hunt
activity entitled find the parts


Say to students look under your desks for
pictures cards , remove those cards and place
them on your desk

Look under their desks for pictures cards ,
remove the cards and place them on their desks

Inform students that todays topic is star
topology and write the objectives of the lesson
on the whiteboard.

Listen as the teacher state the topic of the
lesson and view the objectives that are written
on the whiteboard
Instruct students to use the pictures cards that
are on the desk to arrange a layout where all of
the nodes are connected to the hub.
Use the pictures cards that are on their desks to
arrange a layout where all of the nodes are
connected to the hub.
Aid each group consecutively as they arrange
the layout of the star network
Allow teacher to aid group as they arrange the
layout of the star network
Ask students base on the layout you have
created, how will you describe the arrangement
of the star network?

Tick objective one (1) on the whiteboard
Respond to question asked by the teacher

Expected response: A star network is an
arrangement where all of the nodes are
connected to the hub by cables.
Development

Mount chart with definition of terms on the
whiteboard and invite students to view
PowerPoint presentation entitled star
topology.


View chart with definition of terms that is
mounted on the whiteboard and be enthused to
view PowerPoint presentation entitled star
topology.
Show students the layout of the star topology
on slide 2 by saying this is a layout of a star
topology, does it look similar to your layout
that you have created?
View the layout of the star topology on slide 2
and respond to question asked by the teacher

Expected response:
Yes
Instruct students to read definition of star
topology on slide 3.

Say to students this definition is similar to
your explanation of the layout of the star
topology
Read definition of star topology on slide 3.


Listen to explanation provided by the teacher
Instruct student to read how data is transferred
in a star topology on slide 4
Read how data is transferred in a star topology
on slide 4

Invite students to view video entitled star
topology that is embedded in PowerPoint
presentation quietly

View video entitled star topology that is
embedded in PowerPoint presentation quietly
Ask students to give a summary of how data is
transferred in the star topology using the terms
cables, hub and nodes.
Give a summary of how data is transferred in
the star topology using the terms cables, hub
and nodes

Expected response: The hub which is the
central point transfers data throughout the
network through the cables. Data that is
transferred from the hub reaches each node at
the same speed. Data that is transferred from
one node to another travels along the cable
through the hub and to the direct node.

Ask students what is the function of the hub,
nodes and cables of the star topology


Respond to question asked by the teacher

Expected response:
Hub - controls the data that is transferred







Tick objective two (2) on the whiteboard
throughout the network
Cables - is the medium through which the data
is transferred from the hub to the nodes and
from the nodes to the hub
Nodes - send and receive data from the hub
and other computers
Invite students to engage in an activity entitled
data transferring in a star topology
Be enthused to engage in an activity entitled
data transferring in a star topology


Ask students to form a ring similar to the
layout of star network, with a peer at each node
and the teacher who is the hub in the middle of
the ring.
Form a ring similar to the layout of star
network, with a peer at each node and the
teacher who is the hub in the middle of the
ring.
Give each peer strips of paper and a marker Take strips of paper and markers from
teacher in peers
Instruct student to write random information
to be transferred throughout the network
Write random information to be transferred
throughout the network
Say to peers transfers your data by sending it
through the hub.

Remove irrelevant data
Transferred their data by sending it through the
hub.


Say to students all nodes transfer your data
through the hub at the same time .Count to
indicate the exact time to commence
Transferred their data through the hub at the
same time .Listen as the teacher count to
indicate the exact time to commence.
Remove one (1) peer from the ring and
instruct students to transfer their data
Observe as one (1) peer is remove from the
ring and transfer data when instructed by the
teacher
Refuse to transfer any data reporting that the
hub has become faulty
Discontinue transferred of data as the hub has
become faulty
Say to students based on your observation,
what are the advantages of using the star
topology?
Respond to question asked by the teacher

Expected responses:
The hub supervises the information that is
transferred throughout the network by not
transferring irrelevant data.

Removal of one of the nodes does not affect
the transfer of information.

Say to students based on your observation,
what are the disadvantages of using the star
topology?
Respond to question asked by the teacher









Tick objective three (3) on the whiteboard
Expected responses:
The network slows down when all nodes send
data to the hub at the same time.

Data cannot be transfer if the hub becomes
faulty.

Instruct students to go back to seats and invite
them to read additional advantages and
disadvantages on slide 4 and 5 of the
PowerPoint presentation.
Go back to seats and read additional
advantages and disadvantages on slide 4 and 5
of the PowerPoint presentation.
Show students video entitled star topology
once more to conclude lesson
View video entitled star topology once more.

Culminating Activity: See worksheet

Evaluation: