From Cables to Cyberspace: Teaching Networking Concepts with Depth and Rigor

Description: This deep dive equips educators with the content knowledge, instructional strategies, and hands-on experiences needed to effectively teach foundational networking concepts. Participants will explore network types, topologies, IP addressing, DNS, network devices, security principles, and troubleshooting processes aligned to required curriculum competencies. Through applied activities and scenario-based analysis, educators will strengthen both conceptual understanding and classroom implementation strategies to support students at multiple Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels.

Learning Outcomes:

1.    Explain and model core networking concepts including LAN/WAN/WLAN structures, topologies, IP addressing, DNS, and device functions, aligned to required curriculum standards.

2.    Design rigorous instructional experiences that move students beyond identification (DOK2) to analysis, application, and troubleshooting (DOK3–4) in networking.

3.    Facilitate hands-on and scenario-based learning that incorporates network setup, security practices, and real-world troubleshooting to prepare students for industry-aligned pathways.