Networking in the curriculum

[csmith_2016]

Hi Edugeek,

 

I currently work in the education sector hence I am familiar with this site however I have a background in computer networking.

 

In your experience is computer networking taught within the ICT curriculum? if so to what extent is it covered, are students aware of switching, routing, ip addresses etc?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Chris

[Steve21]

Bare minimum in IT apart from the basics this is an IP/Switch this is what it does etc.

 

The Computing/Computer Science in A Levels/BTEC do more indepth though

 

Steve

[csmith_2016]

Hi Steve,

 

Thanks for your help.

 

I am preparing a presentation on why I believe this area should be covered to more extent in the curriculum to assist with the demands of the future IOT, IPv6 etc etc.

 

Chris

[JackCPickup]

I believe a few of our schools have a "How to be a network engineer" section in their curriculum (primary schools). One school has been connecting netbooks to small switches and using a LAN messenger to demonstrate "making a network". Another school (which hasn't started teaching it yet) are supposed to be learning some basic cmd networking commands.

[Steve21]

"Personally" I'd say that has minimal place in the "ICT" curriculum (IPv6 etc) anymore than something like Accountancy Formulae would have in Maths.

 

The whole point of the lower stages of the curriculum are that it covers the basics of many things, and if you want to specialise in a subject you pick a higher levelled one (GCSE Options/AS+ etc), and then those subjects are what is covered.

 

You can have a million and one jobs in ICT and not even know what an IP Address is (let above 4v6) so why would it need to be part of it? You wouldn't expect students to learn about all areas of each subject in details so I don't see why you'd want different for ICT

 

(As an example, how many universities have "ICT" courses nowadays, they have "Computer Science/Engineer/Networking" because of the specialism aspect)

 

But just my two cents

 

Steve

Edited February 4, 2016 by Steve21