Network Design

To complete this assignment you will design a network for your school. The design must include the following elements.

  1. Type and number of PC's (You can use either the actual number of PC's in your school or the number of PC's you want to have in the school.) 
    1. Make and model, including RAM, hard drive, video card, network card, sound card, and any other features you want
    2. A justification for your selection of the make/model/configuration
    3. The operating system(s)
    4. A justification for your choice of operating system(s)
    5. A list of software to be installed on the PC’s
    6. A plan for placing the computers in the school and managing the software
    7. Documents on PC troubleshooting
  2. Type of network
    1. Make and model of the server(s), including RAM, hard drive, video card, network card, sound card, and any other features you want
    2. NOS and a justification for your choice of NOS
    3. Costs for software and access licenses if necessary
    4. Make, model, and cost of routers, switches, and hubs
    5. A justification for your choices
    6. Documentation on network troubleshooting 
  3. Maintenance schedule, costs, and duty assignments
  4. Website, wiki, or other way of communicating with students, school staff, parents, and others about school technology issues and policies. Here are examples of the types of information you might want to provide:
    1. Links to resources
    2. Troubleshooting help
    3. Filtering information (CIPA compliance) 
    4. Description of how technology will be used in the school 
    5. Technology plan
    6. Acceptable-use polices 

Evaluation Rubric

 

Criteria

Minimum

Good

Excellent

Computer selection and justification

15 points

Differentiate among specifications for purchasing technology systems in school settings. (VII.B.7)

Computer and software components listed

Computer and software components listed with basic justifications

Computer and software components listed with detailed justifications

 

5 points

Develop plans to configure software/computer/technology systems and related peripherals in laboratory, classroom cluster, and other appropriate instructional arrangements. (VII.A.1)

Issues listed

Issues listed and ordered

Issues listed and ordered with references

5 points

Evaluate methods of installation, maintenance, inventory, and management of software libraries. (VII.A.5)

Methods listed

Methods listed and ordered

Methods listed and ordered with references

5 points

Design and develop policies and procedures concerning staging, scheduling, and security for managing hardware, software, and related technologies in a variety of instructional and administrative school settings. (VII.B.5)

Policies and procedures listed 

Policies and procedures listed and ordered

Policies and procedures listed and ordered with references

5 points

Develop and disseminate strategies for troubleshooting and maintaining various hardware/software configurations found in school settings. (VII.A.6)

Strategies listed

Strategies listed and ordered

Strategies listed and ordered with references

5 points

Manage software used in classroom and administrative settings including productivity tools, information access/telecommunication tools, multimedia/hypermedia tools, school management tools, evaluation/portfolio tools, and computer-based instruction. (VII.A.4)

List of software

Plan to manage software 

Plan to manage software with references

Network selection and justification

15 points

Select network software packages for operating a computer network system and/or local area network. (VII.A.7)

Network operating software selected

Network operating software selected with basic justifications

Network operating software selected with detailed justifications.

5 points

Prioritize issues related to selecting, installing, and maintaining wide area networks (WAN) for school districts, and facilitate integration of technology infrastructure with the WAN. (VII.A.3)

Issues listed

Issues prioritized and justified

Issues prioritized and justified with references

5 points

Develop and disseminate a system for analyzing and implementing procedures related to troubleshooting and preventive maintenance on technology infrastructure. (VII.B.3)

Procedures listed 

Procedures listed and ordered

Procedures listed and ordered with references
5 points Analyze needs for technology support personnel to manage school/district technology resources and maximize use by administrators, teachers, and students to improve student learning. (VII.A.8) Issues listed Issues listed and ordered Issues listed and ordered with references

Information Sharing

    
5 points Model and implement the use of telecommunications tools and resources to foster and support information sharing, remote information access, and communication between students, school staff, parents, and local community. (V.D.1)  Plan developed Plan implemented  Plan implemented and modified as needed according to feedback 
5 points Design, modify, maintain, and facilitate the development of Web pages and sites that support communication and information access between the entire school district and local/state/national/ international communities. (V.D.4)  Plan developed Plan implemented  Plan implemented and modified as needed according to feedback 

5 points

Communicate research and establish policies to promote safe and healthy use of technology. (VI.D.1)

Plan developed

Plan implemented 

Plan implemented and modified as needed according to feedback 

Remember to submit your design through the Assignment Drop Box. (Make sure your assignment is in Microsoft Word .doc or .rtf format.)