Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Information Communication Technology ICT
Lesson Topic: Know and understand internet protocols including HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), HyperText Transfer Protocol secure variant (HTTPS), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Secure Socket Layer (SSL)
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the purpose and operation of HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and SSL/TLS.
  • Explain how HTTPS secures data using the SSL/TLS handshake and digital certificates.
  • Compare the security features and default ports of each protocol.
  • Demonstrate how to identify secure connections in a web browser.
  • Evaluate appropriate protocol choices for different data‑transfer scenarios.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Computers with internet access for each student
  • Sample web URLs (http and https)
  • FTP client software (e.g., FileZilla)
  • Handout summarising protocol features
  • Diagram of HTTP request‑response cycle
  • Quiz worksheets / exit‑ticket sheets
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll: how many students have noticed the padlock icon in their browser address bar? Review that HTTP moves web pages but is unencrypted, while HTTPS adds security. Explain that today’s success criteria are to identify the purpose, ports, and security mechanisms of HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and SSL/TLS.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5’) – Short quiz on identifying secure vs. non‑secure URLs.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Overview of HTTP request‑response cycle, purpose, port 80, stateless nature; show diagram.
  3. Demonstration (10’) – Switch to HTTPS, walk through TLS handshake using a browser’s security info; highlight padlock and certificate details.
  4. Interactive activity (12’) – In pairs, use an FTP client to connect to a test server in active and passive modes; discuss security limitations.
  5. Guided practice (8’) – Explain SSL/TLS fundamentals and handshake steps; students label a flowchart.
  6. Comparison table review (5’) – Students complete a protocol comparison table.
  7. Exit ticket (5’) – Write one scenario, choose the most suitable protocol, and justify the choice.
Conclusion:
Summarise that HTTP is the base protocol, HTTPS secures it with SSL/TLS, FTP transfers files but needs FTPS/SFTP for security, and SSL/TLS underpins all secure communications. Collect exit tickets as a retrieval check and assign homework to create a short infographic comparing the four protocols.