Lesson Note on Electronic Mail: Email Address Features and Chatting Steps for SSS 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: Third Term
Week: 11
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Computer Studies
Curriculum Theme: Internet and World Wide Web
Previous Lesson: Electronic Mail: Meaning, Services and Creating an Email Account.
Topic: ELECTRONIC MAIL (E-MAIL SERVICES)
Subject Matter: Features in an e-mail address (username, @ symbol, domain name, extension), website address features (www, domain, extension), definition of chatting, steps involved in chatting.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

• Identify the features of an e-mail address.
• Identify the features of a website address.
• Differentiate between an e-mail address and a website address.
• Define chatting.
• Outline the steps involved in chatting.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the importance of e-mail and chatting as communication tools.
• Value the need for safety when chatting online.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Write examples of correct e-mail addresses.
• Write examples of correct website addresses.

Social Domain:

• Participate actively in discussions about online communication safety.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
• State Unified Scheme of Work
• Bakare, A.A. (2018). Comprehensive Computer Studies for Senior Secondary Schools. Lagos: University Press Plc.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Sample email addresses chart
• Website URL examples
• Chat interface screenshot
• Internet safety poster

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the components of e-mail and website addresses, which are essential for navigating the internet. It also introduces them to chatting and the important steps for safe online communication, preparing them for responsible digital citizenship.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are familiar with basic computer operations and have some exposure to the internet and communication technologies.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

ELECTRONIC MAIL (E-MAIL SERVICES)

Features of an E-mail Address

An e-mail address is a unique identifier for an e-mail account, used to send and receive electronic messages over a network. It typically consists of two main parts separated by an “@” symbol.

The following are the features of an e-mail address:

• Username: This is the unique name chosen by the user (e.g., ‘john.doe’, ‘schooladmin’). It identifies the specific user on a particular mail server.
• @ Symbol (at symbol): This symbol separates the username from the domain name. It indicates “at” a particular domain.
• Domain Name: This identifies the mail server where the e-mail account is hosted (e.g., ‘gmail.com’, ‘yahoo.com’, ‘schoolname.edu.ng’). It is the address of the computer that stores the e-mail.
• Extension (Top-Level Domain – TLD): This is the last part of the domain name, indicating the type or geographic location of the domain (e.g., ‘.com’ for commercial, ‘.org’ for organization, ‘.net’ for network, ‘.gov.ng’ for Nigerian government).

Example: studentname@school.edu.ng

Features of a Website Address (URL)

A website address, also known as a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), is the specific address of a resource on the internet. It helps locate web pages and other resources.

The following are the features of a website address:

• Protocol: This indicates the method by which data is transferred (e.g., ‘http://’, ‘https://’ for secure websites).
• WWW (World Wide Web): This is a common prefix for many websites, indicating that the resource is part of the World Wide Web.
• Domain Name: This is the unique name that identifies a website or a server on the internet (e.g., ‘google’, ‘wikipedia’, ‘nigerianews’).
• Extension (Top-Level Domain – TLD): This is the last part of the domain name, indicating the type or geographic location of the domain (e.g., ‘.com’, ‘.org’, ‘.net’, ‘.ng’).

Example: https://www.google.com

Differences between E-mail Address and Website Address

While both are internet addresses, they serve different purposes and have distinct structures:

• Purpose: An e-mail address is used for sending and receiving electronic messages, while a website address (URL) is used to locate and access web pages or resources on the internet.
• Key Separator: An e-mail address uses the “@” symbol to separate the username from the domain name. A website address typically uses “www.” (though not always required) and slashes “/” for directory paths, without an “@” symbol.
• User vs. Resource: An e-mail address identifies a specific user’s mailbox. A website address identifies a specific location or resource on a web server.

Definition of Chatting

Chatting refers to the act of communicating in real-time over the internet, typically through text-based messages. It allows users to exchange instant messages with one or more people simultaneously.

Steps Involved in Chatting

To engage in online chatting, users generally follow these steps:

• Step 1: Choose a Chat Platform: Select a chat application or website (e.g., WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, Google Chat).
• Step 2: Create/Log In to an Account: Register for an account or log in with existing credentials.
• Step 3: Add Contacts/Join a Group: Find and add friends using their usernames or phone numbers, or join a public/private chat group.
• Step 4: Start a Conversation: Select a contact or group and type your message in the text box.
• Step 5: Send Message: Press ‘Enter’ or click the ‘Send’ button to transmit your message.
• Step 6: Interact: Read incoming messages and respond as needed, keeping online safety in mind.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to recall what they know about internet communication. The teacher then introduces the topic: Electronic Mail (E-mail Services).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge and are prepared for the new topic.

Step 2: Features of an E-mail Address

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a chart with sample e-mail addresses and explains the features: username, @ symbol, domain name, and extension. The teacher asks pupils to identify these parts in given examples.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the chart, identify the features in examples, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the components that make up an e-mail address.

Step 3: Features of a Website Address

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays examples of website URLs and explains the features: protocol, www, domain name, and extension. The teacher highlights how these differ from e-mail addresses.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the examples, identify the features of website addresses, and note the differences.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the structure of a website address.

Step 4: Differentiating E-mail and Website Addresses

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Comparison/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the key differences between e-mail addresses and website addresses, emphasizing their distinct purposes and structures.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion by stating the differences and providing examples.
Learning Point: Pupils can clearly distinguish between an e-mail address and a website address.

Step 5: Definition of Chatting

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Definition/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines chatting as real-time text-based communication over the internet and asks pupils about their experiences with chatting applications.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the definition and share their experiences with different chatting platforms.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what chatting is and its common uses.

Step 6: Steps Involved in Chatting

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Guidance
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher outlines the general steps involved in online chatting, from choosing a platform to sending messages. The teacher also uses the internet safety poster to briefly discuss safe chatting practices.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils note down the steps and ask questions about safe online interaction.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the procedural steps for chatting and the importance of safety.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. List three features of an e-mail address.
2. State two differences between an e-mail address and a website address.
3. What is chatting?
4. Outline any three steps involved in chatting.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key learning points of the lesson and assigns homework: “Write down five different e-mail addresses and five different website addresses, identifying their respective features.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: The lesson is concluded, and pupils have a task to reinforce their learning.

Lesson Keywords

• E-mail Address – A unique identifier for an e-mail account.
• Username – The unique name chosen by a user in an e-mail address.
• @ Symbol – Separates the username from the domain name in an e-mail address.
• Domain Name – Identifies the mail server or website server.
• Website Address (URL) – The specific address of a resource on the internet.
• Chatting – Real-time text-based communication over the internet.
• Extension (TLD) – The last part of a domain name, indicating its type or location.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can challenge them to explain the purpose of different domain extensions (e.g., .gov, .org, .edu). For those needing more support, the teacher will provide additional examples and guided practice in identifying the parts of addresses, using flashcards or a digital whiteboard for interactive labeling.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure that pupils have access to visual aids, such as charts or projected screens, to clearly see the examples of e-mail and website addresses. Emphasize the practical application of this knowledge in their daily online activities and stress the importance of online safety, especially when discussing chatting. Encourage pupils to ask questions about internet security.