lesson
The internet is not one computer
1 · Learn
The internet connects many networks. Data can travel through several connections on its way between devices. The web is one service that uses the internet to share linked pages.
A school network can share local resources even without internet access. Conversely, opening a public web page can involve a device outside school. A connection does not grant permission to see private files.
2 · Worked example
I distinguish a printer shared inside school from a public website. Both involve communication, but only the second necessarily reaches a public web service.
3 · Your turn
Are all files on a school network automatically public internet pages?
Check your answer
No. Local files can have restricted access and may never be published on the web.
4 · Apply your learning
Draw a labelled paper model with two local networks connected together. Trace a pretend message and mark where permissions are needed.
Adult guidance and safety
Use an adult-approved offline or school-managed application and invented non-personal data. Do not change real network settings, publish recordings or upload others' images. Follow paper models with practical work in a suitable tool and check saved files reopen.
Open your writing and drawing pad
Write, draw or show your working. Use a mouse, pen or finger. This pad is not a submitted answer.
Not saved to your account. Download your drawing as PNG and your typed notes as TXT before leaving or refreshing. They are separate files. Do not enter private information.
Open a picture saved on this device to draw on it again. Opening replaces the drawing, but Undo can restore it. PNG only, up to 4 MB and 4096 × 4096 pixels. The picture stays in this browser; it is not uploaded. Paper lines in a saved picture become part of that picture.
Clear the drawing? Your typed notes will stay. You can undo this action.
Your pad is empty.
Open a UTF-8 TXT file from this device, up to 40 KB and 10,000 characters. It stays in this browser. Opening can be undone until you type again. Downloads keep a new copy; they do not change the file you opened.
Replace the notes on this page with the opened file? Download the current notes first if you want to keep them.
Typed notes are not submitted answers.
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Interactive activity
Year 4 Computing learning routine
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