How the Internet, Computers & Email Work: A Hands-On Intro

A comprehensive, interactive introduction to the fundamentals of modern technology.

Table of contents

1. Course Overview
   1. Course Goals
2. Session Agenda
3. What You’ll Learn
   1. 1. Internet & Computer Basics
   2. 2. DNS & DHCP Fundamentals
   3. 3. Email Systems
   4. 4. Computer Hardware
   5. 5. Practical Applications
4. Learning Approach
5. Prerequisites
6. Getting Started
7. Additional Resources

Course Overview

This course provides a foundational understanding of modern technology, designed for young adults (ages 14+) with an interest in tech. No prior technical knowledge is required.

📝 Course Duration

This course is designed to be completed in 2-3 hours.

Course Goals

• Provide a foundational understanding of how devices connect to the internet
• Explain how DNS and DHCP work in everyday networking
• Explore the basics of computer hardware (CPU/RAM) operations
• Follow the journey of an email from sending to delivery
• Practice basic troubleshooting for common tech issues

Session Agenda

Time (mins)	Activity
0–10	Welcome & Icebreaker
10–25	Intro to the Internet & Computers
25–40	DNS & DHCP Basics
40–50	Break
50–65	How Email Works
65–80	CPU & RAM Basics
80–95	Mini Troubleshooting Activity
95–110	Q&A, Feedback, and Wrap-Up

What You’ll Learn

1. Internet & Computer Basics

Learn how devices connect to the internet and how data travels across networks.

Overview of how the internet works

2. DNS & DHCP Fundamentals

Understand how devices get their network addresses and how domain names work.

How DNS resolves domain names to IP addresses

The DHCP process for obtaining an IP address

3. Email Systems

Explore the journey of an email from sender to recipient through SMTP, DNS lookups, and MX records.

The complete journey of an email from sender to recipient

4. Computer Hardware

Learn about CPU, RAM, and how computers process information at a fundamental level.

5. Practical Applications

Get hands-on experience with:

• Network troubleshooting techniques
• Email system analysis using command-line tools
• Performance monitoring with Task Manager/Terminal
• Real-world problem-solving scenarios

Learning Approach

Each section includes:

• 📝 Detailed explanations with clear analogies
• 🎥 Video demonstrations of key concepts
• 💻 Interactive diagrams and visualizations
• ⚡ Hands-on exercises using real tools
• 🔍 Real-world examples and applications
• 🛠️ Practical troubleshooting techniques

Prerequisites

• Basic computer usage skills
• Interest in learning about technology
• Access to a computer with internet connection
• No prior technical knowledge required

💡 Learning Tip

Take notes and try the hands-on exercises as you go through each section. The practical experience will help solidify the concepts!

Getting Started

Begin with Internet & Computer Basics to learn the foundational concepts of how the internet works and how computers communicate.

Additional Resources

• Command Cheatsheet
• Troubleshooting Guide
• Technical Glossary
• Recommended Further Learning

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Table of contents

• Internet & Computer Basics
• Networking
• Email Systems
• Computer Hardware
• Resources