Students simulate how internet data transmission via packet switching works. Idea is to show how it is really simple and easy to understand.
| Learning Scenario Identity | |
| Title | JYU27: Packet Switching Simulation |
| Creator | JYU |
| Length | 90 minutes (2×45 minutes) |
| Main idea/description | Students simulate how internet data transmission via packet switching works. Idea is to show how it is really simple and easy to understand. |
| Target group | 3rd-6th grade |
| Curriculum/learning subjects | Mathematics, Physical Education, ICT |
| Competencies | Students will learn how data is transmitted over the internet in packets, simulating how messages are broken down, routed, and reassembled across different network paths. |
| Teachers’ wellness competences | TC4: Social e-competency |
| Learning Scenario Framework | |
| Pedagogical method | PI3. Enforcing attention and Awareness |
| Software/materials | Teacher Tools: Access to a space where students can move around freely (classroom or outdoor area). If online, use breakout rooms to simulate different routers. Clear Instructions: Begin by explaining how the internet breaks data into small packets, routes them through various paths, and reassembles them at the destination. Relate it to mailing letters through multiple post offices. Activity: Pair Up and Assign Roles: One student is the “sender” and the other the “receiver.” Other students act as routers in between.The sender writes a message and breaks it into smaller pieces (packets), writing each on a separate piece of paper.Routers pass the packets along different paths, with each router making its own routing decisions.The receiver collects all packets and reassembles them to read the original message.Simulate Network Congestion: Some routers can delay or hold onto packets to simulate network congestion. This teaches how packets might arrive out of order but can still be reassembled at the receiver.Mindfulness Breaks: After the first round of packet transmission, encourage a brief pause to reset focus before switching roles. Switch Roles: After the break, reverse roles so that all students experience being both sender, receiver, and router. Discussion: “What happens when packets arrive out of order?””How does the network handle lost or delayed packets?””Why is packet switching important for the internet?”Increasing Complexity: Introduce scenarios with packet loss or corruption, where the receiver must request missing or damaged packets to be resent.Closing Reflection: After completing the tasks, discuss: “How does packet switching help ensure data reaches its destination?””What challenges arise from real-world internet traffic?”This scenario fosters collaboration, problem-solving, and practical understanding of how the internet works while minimizing technostress through manageable steps and mindful breaks. |
| Evaluation tools | The teacher observes the pairs as they start to work on the assignment. The teacher also follows the discussions after each assignment. |
| Learning Scenario Implementation | |
| Learning activities (description, duration, worksheets) | IntroductionRead the story in appendix 1 together. It will explain to students how data is transmitted across the internet using packet switching. Each message is broken into smaller parts, or “packets,” sent through different routes, and then reassembled at the destination. In this exercise students will play the roles of senders, routers, and receivers to understand how the process works. Exercise 1: Packet Switching in PairsPair Up and Assign Roles:Each pair will consist of a sender and a receiver. Other students will act as “routers” spread across the classroom.The sender will break a written message (on slips of paper) into smaller parts or “packets.” For example, the message “HELLO” can be broken into individual letters or letter pairs on separate pieces of paper.The routers will pass the packets along various routes. Each router decides which direction to send a packet, simulating how data travels across different network paths.Step-by-Step Packet Transmission: The sender hands off the packets one by one to routers. Routers must make decisions on which direction to send the packets, and packets might take different paths.The receiver gathers the packets, and once all have arrived, they reassemble them in the correct order to decode the original message.Only one person can move or pass a packet at a time to keep the process organized and ensure that students learn to handle packets like routers.Simulate Network Congestion: Some routers can deliberately delay or “drop” packets to simulate network issues. This teaches how packets can be lost or delayed in real networks but still be reassembled at the destination.Switch Roles: After completing the first transmission, the sender and receiver switch roles. Repeat the process with a new message to give both students a chance to experience each role.DiscussionAfter the first round, discuss with the class: “How did the packets arrive at different times?””What challenges did the receiver face when reassembling the message?””Why is packet switching useful in the internet?”Exercise 2: Adding Complexity with Larger Messages New Task: Increase the length of the message or add multiple routers to simulate more complex networks. Each message will be broken into more packets, and students must manage larger volumes of data.Introduce a concept of “packet loss” where one router drops a packet, and the receiver must request it again from the sender. Introduce Conditional Logic:Teach students to add checks at the receiver’s end. For example, if a packet is missing, they must request a resend. This simulates error-checking in real networks. If Students Finish Early:Encourage students to create their own messages and routes or try simulating specific issues like high congestion or corrupted packets.Closing ReflectionOnce all tasks are completed, hold a group reflection: “How does packet switching ensure data gets through even with network issues?””What real-life examples of packet switching can you think of?””What did you learn about how the internet moves information?”This structure promotes collaboration, problem-solving, and a deep understanding of how the internet works while maintaining a low-stress learning environment with manageable tasks and mindful breaks. |
Appendix 1:
Story: How Data Travels Across the Internet – The Tale of Two Friends and Their Pigeon Messengers
Once upon a time, in a world of towering mountains and winding rivers, there lived two best friends, Ella and Leo. Ella lived high up in the snowy mountains, and Leo lived far away in a sunny valley. They loved to stay in touch, but traveling between their homes was difficult, so they relied on their clever invention: pigeon messengers.
But their messages were long, and pigeons could only carry small pieces of the message at a time. Not only that, but pigeons could sometimes get lost or delayed. To make sure their notes were delivered correctly, they came up with a foolproof plan. Ella would send the message in small parts, and each time Leo received a piece, he would send a confirmation pigeon back to Ella to let her know it arrived safely.
One day, Ella needed to send Leo an important message: “Let’s meet at the oak tree in the meadow tomorrow at noon.” Since the message was too long for one pigeon to carry, Ella broke it into four smaller packets:
- Packet 1: “Let’s meet”
- Packet 2: “at the oak tree”
- Packet 3: “in the meadow”
- Packet 4: “tomorrow at noon”
- Packet 5: “Bring snacks”
She carefully wrote the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on each note, tied them to four pigeons, and sent them flying off one by one. Ella knew that some pigeons might face challenges along the way, so she waited for Leo’s confirmation pigeons to come back and tell her which parts of the message had arrived.
As the pigeons flew across the land, Leo waited in his sunny garden. The first pigeon arrived, carrying Packet 1: “Let’s meet.” Leo smiled, wrote a quick confirmation note that said, “Received Packet 1”, and sent his pigeon back to Ella.
Soon after, another pigeon landed with Packet 2: “at the oak tree.” Again, Leo sent a confirmation pigeon: “Received Packet 2.” Now Leo knew where they were supposed to meet.
But there was a problem. After a while, Leo realized he hadn’t received all the packets. He only had two, and the rest were missing. So, he kept waiting, keeping an eye on the sky.
Finally, Packet 4 arrived with “tomorrow at noon.” Leo sent another confirmation pigeon: “Received Packet 4.” But something was still missing—Packet 3! Leo didn’t know where in the meadow they were supposed to meet. Thankfully, since each packet was numbered, Leo knew exactly what was missing.
So, Leo sent another message to Ella: “Please resend Packet 3.”
Ella received Leo’s request and quickly sent another pigeon carrying Packet 3: “in the meadow.” As soon as Leo received the missing packet, he sent his final confirmation pigeon: “Received Packet 3.” Now he thinks he had the full message: “Let’s meet at the oak tree in the meadow tomorrow at noon.” Ella realizes that she hasn’t got a confirmation pigeon for the fifth packet. Leo doesn’t know that the message is still continuing, so he doesn’t know he should ask Ella to resend it. Because some time has passed, Ella sends the fifth package “Bring snacks” again. Leo receives it and sends confirmation pigeon for that message too. Thanks to their system of numbered packets and confirmation pigeons, Leo and Ella could make sure no part of the message was lost.
Why Packet Switching Works Like Pigeons:
Just like Ella’s pigeons, data on the internet is sent in small packets. Each packet is numbered, so the receiver (like Leo) knows the correct order. As packets arrive, the receiver sends confirmation messages back to the sender to let them know which parts have been received. If any packets are missing, the receiver can ask for them to be resent, just like Leo asked for Packet 3. The sender also knows what packets have been delivered and what haven’t, just like Ella knew that Leo didn’t get Packet 5. If confirmation packets get lost, the sender sends new packets after certain time.
The Importance of Packet Switching:
Packet switching allows messages to travel efficiently across the internet. Packets can take different routes and arrive at different times, but by numbering them and sending confirmations, the message always gets pieced together in the right order. And if anything gets lost, it’s easy to request the missing part—just like sending confirmation pigeons back and forth!
And that, dear students, is how the internet works: one small packet at a time, with confirmations and retries to make sure everything arrives safe and sound!