|
||||
|
|
||||
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Lesson plan: Light-speed surfing
Objectives Students will: Draw a chart or diagram of the transmission path within telecommunications and label the point where an "opto chip" would be used. Explain the current emphasis on digital to optical information transfer. Standards National Science Education Standards High school students will learn that science often advances with the introduction of new technologies. Solving technological problems can result in new scientific knowledge. New technologies may extend the current levels of scientific understanding and introduce new areas of research. Benchmarks for Science Literacy In designing a device or process, thought should be given to how it will be manufactured, operated, maintained, replaced, disposed of and who will sell, operate and take care of it. The costs associated with these functions may introduce yet more constraints on the design. The value of any given technology may be different for different groups of people and at different points in time. Materials CNN fyi article, "Surfing at the Speed of Light" Suggested time 2-3 class periods of 45 minutes each. Procedures 1. Ask students how they think their voice gets to the other end of a telephone conversation. Ask them how they think light pulses could be used to send information from one point to another. 2. Introduce and define the term fiber optics. 3. Have students read the CNNfyi article "Surfing at the speed of light." 4. Then ask students: Why do you think many companies are trying to increase the speed of the Internet?What part of the information transfer process "slows things up?" What part of the process does the opto-chip address? How does it help unclog telecommunications networks? What hardware do you think you would need to take advantage of the opto-chip's speed increase? What kind of impact do you think this advance will have in the short term? In the long run? 5. Have students use the Internet sites below and other information sources to trace the path that information follows when delivered on an optical fiber network. 6. Have students: Draw a chart or diagram showing the starting or transmission point, intermediate points and the ending or reception point. Have them make sure to include whether the information is electronic/digital or laser optical at each stage. Label the points where information is translated from one form into another. 7. In a class discussion, have students explain why they think there is an emphasis on digital to optical information transfer and relate their opinions back to information in the news article. Evaluation 1. Have students label the point on their diagram where the opto-chip would be used. 2. Below their charts or diagrams, have students write a one-paragraph summary explaining the information transfer process. |
|
||||||
RELATED SITES
Laser light
Fiber optic beginnings
History of fiber optics
Understanding fiber optics
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
|
|
||||||||||
