Grade:

7p

Subject:

Information Technology

Lesson Topic:

Data Communication

Date:

April 20 - 24, 2015.

Previous knowledge: Students should know what the internet is used for.
General Objectives:At the end of the lesson students should be able to:
1. Know what data communication means.
2. Know terms associated with data communication.
Specific Objectives: At the end of the lesson students should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Define the terms data communication, Transmission media and Teleprocessing.

Explain the role of the sender, media and receiver.
Explain the physical characteristics of twisted pair and coaxial cable.
State which media would be appropriate for a certain application.
Show a willingness to participate by asking and answering questions.

Content
Data Communication is the process of transmitting data and information over a
communication media such as a telephone line (twisted pair), coaxial cable, fibre optic
cable, microwave and satellite.
Telecommunication is the transmission of data over a far distance without changing it.
This system consists of three basic components namely; sender, media, receiver.
Teleprocessing is the means by which computer files elsewhere are accessed.
Transmission media refers to the physical material along which data travels from one
point to another. The media used is dependent on the distance over which and
circumstances under which the data is to travel. Example, computers that are linked to by
cables (short distance) are associated with; twisted pairs, coaxial, fibre optics. For longer
distances wireless technology such as microwave and satellite are used.

Types of transmission media:

Twisted Pair- A telephone line consists of a twisted pair of copper wires and is the
medium used by telephone to transmit data.
Advantage/s:

Its cheap.
The telephone links the entire world therefore data can be transmitted virtually
anywhere.
Disadvantage/s:

Subject to interference.
Coaxial cable- A coaxial cable consists of a conductive cylindrical shield with a central
wire or solid core held together by an insulating material. This type of medium can be
seen in use with cable T.V. providers and also to connect computers on a Local Area
Network.
Advantage/s:
Not susceptible to interference
Transmits faster than twisted pairs.
Can accommodate digital/analog signals.
Disadvantage/s:

Heavy and bulky

Needs booster over distance.

Questions will be written on the board for students to answer.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What is data communication?

What is the difference between data communication and telecommunication?
What is the main advantage of twisted pair?
Which media would be more suitable over long distances?
Why do you think an organization such as the military would not use twisted pair
to communicate?