This content is located in CAPS under Network Technologies: Networks for Grade 12.

Wide area networks (WANs) form the backbone of global communication and data transfer. Understanding WANs empowers Grade 12 students to grasp the complexity and significance of large-scale networks, including the internet itself. Teaching WANs provides an excellent opportunity to blend technical knowledge with real-world application, making the content accessible and engaging.

Introduce the definition and purpose of WANs. Emphasise their role in connecting multiple local area networks (LANs) across vast geographical distances using various transmission media such as fibre optics, satellites, and cellular networks. Relate this to how businesses, governments, and individuals rely on WANs daily.

To make the lesson interactive, illustrate the concept of WANs by using simple props. For example, string and paper clips can represent the connections between networks, while labelled boxes can stand in for routers or modems. This tangible approach helps students visualise data flow and network structure.

Practical Classroom Applications:

1. Internet as a WAN Example
   Begin by discussing the internet as the most common example of a WAN. Highlight how data packets travel across different networks. Use an online traceroute tool to track the path of data from a local device to an international server. Explain how routers, gateways, and ISPs facilitate this journey. Discuss the concepts of bandwidth and latency observed during the trace.
2. WAN Technologies Debate
   Split the class into groups to research and debate various WAN technologies, such as fibre optic, cellular (4G/5G), and satellite. Provide criteria like cost, reliability, and speed for comparison. Encourage students to argue for the best technology for specific scenarios, such as rural connectivity or global enterprises.
3. Hands-on WAN Simulation
   Use a network simulation tool like Cisco Packet Tracer or free online options to create a simple WAN setup. Assign roles like network administrators to configure routers and troubleshoot connectivity issues. If technology is unavailable, simulate the process on paper, using flow diagrams to demonstrate data routing.
4. Real-Life Application Scenarios
   Discuss how WANs power services like online streaming, e-filing tax returns, and remote work platforms. Invite students to map the journey of data in a service they use daily, such as WhatsApp messaging or Netflix.
5. Investigate Internet Services
   Explore services like instant messaging, file sharing, VoIP, and streaming as examples of WAN usage. Encourage students to assess their advantages and challenges, especially in South Africa. For instance, how do bandwidth limitations and fair-use policies affect these services?
6. Local Connectivity Challenges
   Use case studies of areas in South Africa where WAN accessibility remains a challenge. Encourage students to brainstorm and present solutions that could improve access using technologies like wireless broadband or community ISPs.

Highlight the social and economic impacts of WANs, such as bridging the digital divide, enabling remote education, and connecting rural areas to global markets. Incorporate ethical discussions on fair use, throttling, and shaping policies. Relate these topics to students’ experiences with their home internet connections or mobile data usage.

Encourage active questioning such as:

• What factors determine the speed of a WAN connection?
• How do ISPs shape and throttle data?
• Why might some technologies be more suitable for specific regions?

Finally, let students summarise their understanding by drawing or presenting a WAN network that supports a specific application, such as an online store or a school e-learning system.