Unit 3 – “The Building Blocks of Cyberspace: Hardware, Software, and Networks”
20 Days
This unit provides an introduction to computer hardware, software, and operating systems. Students explore how hardware and software work together to achieve an overall objective. Students learn how devices communicate across the Internet and explore open source versus proprietary protocols. After these basic building blocks of cyberspace are defined, the unit introduces basic concepts of networks and networking. This unit includes introductory labs to introduce students to basic Linux commands and networking concepts. Finally, students examine the growth in society’s use of and reliance on computers and networks ranging from health, commerce, national defense, to entertainment and leisure.