Essential Questions
- In a world that’s so connected, what do I need to know to keep up with the changes in technology?
- How do I determine the best wireless device for me? And how do I ensure it keeps running?
- What’s the possibility for connecting and leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) devices to support learning, work, entertainment, and/or leisure?
Big Ideas
It may be a bit of a cliché to say we’re all connected. But we live in a world that continues to depend more on computing devices that show up almost anywhere, like cars, refrigerators, thermostats, and of course, the powerful computers most of us carry in our pockets (what some people still call phones). To that you can add laptops and tablets and a variety of other products that connect wirelessly to the Internet. This means they can connect people and information anywhere we can get online. These Internet of Things (IoT) devices not only allow you to ask Siri or Alexa the temperature or to play your favorite song, but they also allow you to heat up your oven or check your refrigerator for supplies even if you’re not at home. IoT and other wireless devices will continue to play a larger role in the way we connect, whether it’s to learn, work, or share with friends and family.
You’re already familiar with wireless networks and have probably used them in and out of school for years. Allowing people to connect their personal devices to a wireless network has implications for IT support. Some schools and districts simply do not allow personal devices on their network to avoid security and performance issues. Others encourage students to use school and district wireless networks to provide a safer experience in which malicious or inappropriate content can be filtered. As a Help Desk representative, you should understand the benefits and potential threats to using your school or district’s wireless network as well as accepted practices for doing so.
Connection to Student Lives
“Hey Google, what’s the fastest way home?” “Alexa, play My Favorites playlist.” How often do you speak to someone that isn’t a real person? If not you, who have you noticed acting this way? “Smart” devices with or without voice assistants have made their way into our homes, our schools, places of business, and probably your pocket or backpack. Computing devices are now small and portable and can be found most places you visit, whether that’s visiting your doctor’s office for a check-up or helping to keep your home safe and secure whether anyone’s there or not.
The growing number of computing devices we use communicate wirelessly. It’s not enough for you to know how to connect your laptop or other device to a wireless network. You need to understand the benefits and threats to connecting devices on a wireless network, and not just your personal devices.
Framing Problem
What do students want to know to make the most of the wireless devices they use at school, home, or elsewhere? What are common issues they run into when using their devices? Which of these can they resolve on their own? What should they know about the increasing use of IoT and other wireless devices?
Cornerstone Assessment
If students did not configure their wireless devices to work on their wireless SOHO network earlier in the semester, they should do so this week. If they’ve accomplished this already, they should set their own goal to learn about common support issues with one of their own wireless or IoT devices or those owned by the school or district and how to resolve those issues. They could compile a “Top 10” (or 2 or 5 or whatever’s appropriate) List of common issues and resolutions to add to the Help Desk knowledge base.
DPI Standards
- 5.00 Understand wireless technology and mobile devices
- 5.01 Understand how to configure wireless devices
- 5.02 Understand the basics of using wireless devices.
CompTIA Standards
- 2.6 Compare and contrast common computing devices and their purposes
Knowledge
- Common wireless devices
- What Internet of Things (IoT) devices are, some examples, and how they can be configured to a hub
- How to configure wireless devices to a network
Skills
- Compare and contrast common wireless and IoT devices and their purposes
Vocabulary
- IoT (Home appliances, Home automation devices, Thermostats, Security systems, Modern cars, IP cameras, Streaming media devices, Medical devices) -
- Laptops -
- Mobile Phones -
- Tablets -
Supporting Vocabulary
- Home automation
- Hub
Weekly Map
Monday
Introduction to problem: Configuring a Wireless Device
Online Pre-assessment (available for student practice, as well)
Individual or team meetings to develop project plan and goals
Tuesday
Review content resources with whole group
Small group and independent exploration of resources
Contribute to individual or team project
Wednesday
Hands-on exploration with IT professionals: Wireless Devices
Team progress check with supervisor (using project plan)
Thursday
Hands-on exploration with IT professionals: Wireless Devices
Small group and independent exploration of resources
Contribute to individual or team project
Friday
Sharing of progress with whole group
Online post-assessment
Lesson Ideas
This unit is a review and expansion on the introduction to wireless devices in previous units. Because of the high interest in personal wireless devices, technicians have a variety of topics they can cover under the topic of configuring wireless devices, such as common repairs to phones (e.g., cracked screens and optimizing performance), purchasing considerations, setting up and monitoring home IoT devices, and others. Consider asking students for areas of interest as topics to explore.
Depending on their topic of exploration, students can work independently, in pairs, or in their familiar teams. Students should have their topic and goals approved but can otherwise work independently. If possible, student projects or documentation can be used to contribute to the Help Desk knowledge base.
If possible, bring in some IoT devices for students to explore. Be sure to include information about the licensing agreements for the devices, such as whether a personal device can be used in a business setting.
Potential Resources
The Official CompTIA ITF+ Instructor’s Manual and Student Guide: Review Unit 1.1 (pp. 9-12) and Unit 4.2 (pp. 349-356)
Frayer Diagram Template (slide deck, document, or other)
How to set up a Wi-Fi Network from GCFGlobal
Set up a Wireless Network using a Wireless Access Point (WAP) from Cisco
Internet of Things is a lesson plan from ComTIA’s futureoftech.org website. In addition to the lesson plan, you’ll need resources from the IoT page on futureoftech.org.
TEDEd provides this video-based lesson plan What is the Internet of Things?
Mobile Technology. Communicate, collaborate and create using mobile devices. Information brief from IBM.
ITProTV:
- Configuring a Wireless Router | CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ (FC0-U61) (27:27)
- Configuring a Wireless Router Pt. 2 | CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ (FC0-U61) (27:05)
- Ask SME Anything – Why are IoT devices such a security concern? (starts at 25:23)
Tech Gee
- Common Computing Devices & Their Purposes | CompTIA IT Fundamentals FC0-U61 | 2.6 (21:13). Longer lecture-based video that covers concepts in objective 2.6.
How WiFi and Cell Phones Work | Wireless Communication Explained (6:05). The Explained Channel presents this short, helpful video that explains WiFi communications. It uses many vocabulary terms that have been presented throughout the course.