Blog 2- Chapter 2

Communications (or telecommunications) is defined as a process in which two or more computers or devices transfer data, instructions, and information. A communications channel is the path that data follows as the data is transmitted from the sending equipment to the receiving equipment. These channels are made up of transmission media, with the twisted-pair cable being the most common type. Computer networks have many benefits in the field of education, including the sharing of both hard and software between all teachers, faculty members, and students in a school district, andalso having instant access to the wide variety of sources available on the Internet. The Internet first began with the networking project of the U.S. Department of Defense's Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA). ARPANET became fully functional in September 1969. When its advantages and potential was realized, its research and growth exploded and ultimately help lead to the creation of the Internet as we know it today. The basic way the Internet operates can be broken down into three steps: First, data is divided into small pieces known as packets. Next, packets travel through the Internet via routers. Finally, once the packets reach their destination, they are reassembled into the original message. You can connect to the Internet through dial-up, high speed cable modem, digital subscriber line (DSL), satellite modems (the last three all use broadband technology), and power line communications (PLC).

The World Wide Web (Web) consists of hyperlinks (links) that allow you to efficiently navigate the Internet's web pages. A web page is simply an electronic document viewed on the web, while a web site is a collection of related web pages, which often includes a home page (similar to a table of contents in a book). Like every home or business, every web page has an address, known as a uniform resource locator (URL). There are three types of hyperlinks: Target, which link to another location within the same document, Relative, which link to another document on the same Internet computer, and Absolute, which link to another document on an entirely different Internet computer in a different geographic location. Hyperlinks help promote discovery learning, which is learning about separate but related topics. Firewalls and filtering software are programs to help keep our Internet safe and secure. Schools also often implement an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).

This chapter really helped to clarify the meaning and function of terms I hear every day, but wasn't quite sure on their definitions or how exactly they operate. I always thought of the Internet of this ultra-complex system I could never possibly understand, but the book helped to simplify its process to where it started to make sense! Also I have heard of and used different kinds of Internet connections, but I didn't know until now what their abbreviations stood for or how exactly they differed from one another. Also this confirmed that Al Gore did not create the Internet! (Had to throw in a little political humor there!) I also enjoyed the last few pages of the chapter, which summarized how the Internet and Web has impacted education. ePALS is a totally cool project which pairs up "penpals" electronically and promotes awareness and appreciation of different cultures. It makes communicating across the world possible without any hassle! I was surprised to read that within the next few years, the Web will operate at speeds up to 10,000 faster then they currently do! Amazing!