1. Discuss experiences working with a computer that is connected to some external device such as a printer, scanner, or another computer.
   What difficulties did they encounter? What steps did they take so their computer could interact with the device? Why did they connect their computer to another computer or external device? Did they have to learn new skills before they could accomplish any task on the newly connected device?
   
   
2. Discuss ideas of what the Internet is and what it is used for.
   Have they used email? Did they have to use a password, log in, and log out? Have they used the World Wide Web? What do they like about these activities? What do they dislike about them?
   
   
3. Discuss the kinds of information that can be exchanged on the World Wide Web and the dangers of computer networking created by computer viruses.
   
   
4. Discuss the differences and similarities between regular mail and email.
   Discuss how chat features work. This is a great time to alert your students to some of the dangers involved in using the Internet. Discuss important safety steps such as not sharing personal details such as home address and phone numbers. Caution students not to arrange meetings with people they meet on the Internet without supervision. The primary purpose of the discussion is to make sure students understand that there are safety factors to be considered in any interactions online.
   
   
5. Organize students into groups of about 10 and give them the handout "Did You Get the Message?"
   When the groups have had a chance to complete the activity, select a group or two to demonstrate the method they used to complete the activities. (This activity is also found in the Group Activities section.)
   
   
6. If your school has a computer network (LAN), discuss the reasons for placing computers in a LAN.
   What does a LAN provide for students? If the LAN is not available, how does their work situation change?
   
   
7. Organize the students into groups of about five to complete the handout "Put It in Your Packet."
   The first part of the handout requires two groups to work together. The last part has four groups working together. Give students the handout Put It in Your Packet. (This activity is also found in the Group Activities section.)
   
   
8. Have students play the role of a router, the device used in a network to determine the best possible path at a particular moment to send information.
   Students are familiar with the difficulties of moving from one place in the school to another when the hallways are full of people. Have them consider the way the school is built and think about the decisions they make when they move from one place to another. What change do they make in their route if they are to take a message from the classroom to the main office as quickly as possible in different conditions:
   
   

   	All classes are in session
   	If no classes are in session and most of the students are in the hallways.

   
   Would they consider an outside route when the hallways are full to get the information to the office faster? Some other shortcut?
   
   

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