This content is located in CAPS under Network Technologies: Networks for Grade 10.

Helping students understand the differences between wired and wireless networks, their associated devices, data transmission speeds, and synchronisation methods lays a foundation for grasping how modern communication and technology systems operate. This topic can be made practical and engaging by connecting it to students’ daily interactions with networked devices.

Exploring Wired vs. Wireless Networks

Start by defining the key characteristics of each type of network:

• Wired Networks: Use physical cables (e.g., Ethernet) to connect devices, offering stable and high-speed connections but limiting mobility.
• Wireless Networks: Use radio waves (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth) for communication, providing mobility and convenience but with potential for signal interference and slower speeds.

Key Concepts to Teach

1. Input and Output Devices

Wired and wireless networks rely on various devices to facilitate communication:

• Wired Input Devices: Keyboards, mice, and printers connected via USB or other wired interfaces.
• Wireless Input Devices: Bluetooth keyboards, mice, and wireless scanners.
• Wired Output Devices: Monitors, printers, and speakers connected through cables like HDMI or Ethernet.
• Wireless Output Devices: Bluetooth speakers, WiFi-enabled printers, and casting devices for screens.

Class Activity: Bring examples of both wired and wireless devices to class and allow students to explore their features. Have them group the devices into wired and wireless categories based on their connections.

2. Data Transmission Speed

Explain how transmission speed affects network performance:

• Wired Networks: Generally faster and more reliable due to the physical connection. Speeds can exceed 1 Gbps depending on the cable type (e.g., Ethernet Cat6).
• Wireless Networks: Speeds vary based on technology (e.g., WiFi 5 vs. WiFi 6). Environmental factors, like walls or distance, can reduce speed.

Interactive Simulation: Use a classroom analogy. Have one group of students “transfer data” (e.g., pass paper notes) in a straight line (wired), while another passes them wirelessly by throwing them. Discuss how the wired method is faster and more reliable.

3. Data Transfer and Synchronisation Between Devices

Introduce the concept of how devices communicate and synchronise data in wired and wireless environments:

• Wired Networks: Often used for secure, high-speed data transfers (e.g., syncing data between servers or using USB for device-to-device transfers).
• Wireless Networks: Common for syncing mobile devices with cloud services or transferring files via Bluetooth.

Practical Demonstration:

• Show how files are transferred between two devices using a USB cable (wired).
• Compare this with a wireless transfer using Bluetooth or a shared WiFi network. Measure the time taken for each and discuss the factors affecting the speed and reliability of the transfer.

Comparing Wired and Wireless Networks: A Class Activity

Create a table with the following features and have students compare wired and wireless networks:

Feature	Wired	Wireless
Speed	High (e.g., 1 Gbps or more)	Varies (e.g., 50-600 Mbps)
Mobility	Limited by physical cables	Highly mobile
Setup Cost	Higher (cabling, switches)	Lower (routers, access points)
Security	More secure (physical access needed)	Vulnerable to hacking and interference
Interference	Minimal	Can be affected by obstacles

Ask students to evaluate which network type would work best for various scenarios, such as a gaming setup at home, a school network, or a coffee shop.

Creative Teaching Approaches

1. Role-Playing Network Connections

• Assign students roles as devices, cables, routers, and wireless signals. Have them physically demonstrate how data travels in wired and wireless networks, showing the differences in speed and potential interference.

2. Real-Life Application Brainstorm

• Discuss situations where wired and wireless networks are used in real life:
  • A gaming enthusiast might prefer wired connections for speed.
  • A family at home might rely on wireless networks for convenience.

3. Network Design Project

• Divide the class into groups and ask each group to design either a wired or wireless network for a specific scenario, such as a school computer lab (wired) or a smart home (wireless). Let them justify their choices based on speed, security, and cost.

Wrapping Up

End the lesson with a reflective discussion:

• What are the trade-offs between wired and wireless networks?
• How do students use these networks in their daily lives?
• Which network would they recommend for specific needs, like online gaming, streaming, or group study?

By exploring the strengths and weaknesses of both types of networks, students will better understand the underlying principles and applications of network technology in various contexts.