BTEC National Diploma/Certificate/Award for ICT Practitioners

Scheme of Work for Computer Technologies– unit 8

Overview

Block Content related to learning outcomes

1 Know the main elements of data communications system

2 Understand the communication principles of computer networks

3 Understand transmission protocols and models

4 Understand internet communications.

Num of hours (total hours) / Teaching topic / Delivery methods / Guidance
2 hours / Know the main elements of data communications systems / Whole-class teaching
Group work / Communication devices: wired devices eg data terminal equipment (DTE), data circuit-terminating equipment (DCE); wireless devices eg third generation (3G) cellular phone, wireless personal data assistant (PDA), wireless laptop
2 hrs / Know the main elements of data communications systems / Group Teaching
Individual research / Signal theory: digital signalling methods; representing data electronically (bits, bytes, packet structures); synchronous and asynchronous transmission; error correction and detection; effect of bandwidth limitation and noise; channel types eg telephone, high frequency (HF) radio, microwave, satellite; other issues eg bandwidth, data compression
2 hours / Know the main elements of data communications systems / Whole-class teaching
Individual Research / Data elements: checksum eg cyclic redundancy check (CRC); frames; packets; datagrams; addresses; sequence numbers
2 / Know the main elements of data communications systems / Whole-class teaching
Individual Research / Methods of electronic communication: simplex, duplex and half-duplex
communication; parallel eg universal serial bus (USB); serial eg RS-232; other eg infra red, Bluetooth®, WiFi
2 / Know the main elements of data communications systems / Whole-class teaching
Individual Research / Transmission media: coaxial; optical fibre; unshielded twisted pair (UTP);
shielded twisted pair (STP); other eg infrared, radio, microwave, satellite;
features and benefits
6 hours / Assessment / Practical / Assessment covering criteria P1, P2, P3, M1, D1
2 hours / Understand the communication principles of computer networks / Whole-class teaching
Individual
research / Features of networks: types eg LAN, WAN, wireless; network topologies eg star; mesh; bus; tree (or hierarchical); ring; network services eg packet switched, ISDN, multiplexed, ATM, WAP, broadband; network software eg network operating system; network connection software; access methods eg CSMA/CD, CSMA/CA, token passing
2 hours / Understand the communication principles of computer networks / Whole-class teaching
Individual research / Features of networks: types eg LAN, WAN, wireless; network topologies eg star; mesh; bus; tree (or hierarchical); ring; network services eg packet switched, ISDN, multiplexed, ATM, WAP, broadband; network software eg network operating system; network connection software; access methods eg CSMA/CD, CSMA/CA, token passing
2 hours / Understand the communication principles of computer networks / Whole-class teaching
Practical work / Network components: servers; workstation; network cards eg Ethernet, wireless, token ring
2 hours / Understand the communication principles of computer networks / Individual work / Interconnection devices: eg hubs; switches; routers; repeaters; bridges;
gateways, wireless devices
6 hours / Assessment / Practical
Individual / Assessment covering criteria P4, P6, P7, M2, D3
2 hrs / Understand transmission protocols and models / Whole-class teaching
Practical work / Model: example eg open system interconnection (OSI) model: levels and
relationship with connection devices
2hour / Understand transmission protocols and models / 1-1 tutorials / Protocols: eg Bluetooth®, Wifi, IrDa, cellular radio; examples eg GSM/UMTS,
WAP, WML; 802.11x standards, TCP/IP; wireless security protocols eg WEP
2 hours / Understand transmission protocols and models / Whole-class teaching / TCP/IP model: levels and relationship with connection devices
6 hours / Assessment / Whole-class teaching
Practical work
Group work / Assessment covering criteria P5, M3, D2
2 hrs / Understand internet communications / Whole-class teaching
Practical work
Group work / internet communication: terminology eg HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SMTP; uniform
resource locator; worldwide web; other; eg blogs, wikis, video conferencing,
vlogs
2hrs / Understand internet communications / Whole-class teaching
Practical work
Group work / System requirements: hardware and software system requirements eg for wired or mobile systems; communication services eg email, video, internet; software; configuration
2 hrs / Understand internet communications / Whole-class teaching
Practical work
Group work / Direct communication: eg chat, video communication, email, web phone
6hrs / Assessment / Practical / Assessment covering criteria any required
1 hours / Review / Practical / Portfolio check

DStainton/BTEC/Unit 8/SOW/Nat