Since the 1990s, networks have been widely implemented in schools around the nation. A computer network is a group of computers and peripherals connected to a server via physical wiring and/or wireless technology. Networks facilitate the sharing of resources (e.g., hardware and software) and the exchange of files and electronic communications. They include different types, among which are Local Area Networks (LAN), Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), and Wide Area Networks (WAN).
A Local
Area Network (LAN) is a network that covers a small
geographic area such as a home, office, or building. In a typical LAN, one computer
is designated as the server and all of the other computers that are connected to the
server are called workstations. The server stores the software (i.e., system administration and application software) that controls
the network and is shared with different workstations.
A Metropolitan
Area Network (MAN) is a network that spans a metropolitan
area (e.g., the city of Miami).
A Wide
Area Network is a network that covers a
relatively large geographic area such as a city, state, or country. It connects
many different local and metropolitan area networks to global communication
networks. The largest WAN in the world is the Internet.
In U.S. educational systems, local area networks (LANs) are typically used within a school district or particular school to:
- Send and receive faxes and email
- Share printers, software programs, and files
- Access library databases
- Provide information to staff, students, parents/guardians, and the community
- Connect to external networks and the Internet
School networks improve security and efficiency and reduce cost by:
- Restricting access to authorized users
- Facilitating the rapid transmission of electronic files
- Offering a cost-effective means of managing, updating, and sharing hardware and software
- Making communications possible via an email system
- Allowing staff and students to use the same software simultaneously
References
Llimit, F. (2016). Computer network. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/95_36NgiaMY
Maloy, R., Verock-O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Park Woolf,
B. (2017). Transforming
learning with new technologies (3rd ed.).
Boston: Pearson.
Rana, R. (2018). DCN- Computer Network Types. [Digital image]. Retrieved
from https://traininginstituteinchandigarhsector34a.wordpress.com/2018/09/19/dcn-computer-network-types/
Information from this post may be used provided credit is given to Dominique Charlotteaux
