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Modelling the Internet Activity

Suitable for upper-primary teachers of computing, this Barefoot Computing activity focuses on the technical aspects of the internet explaining how it differs from the World Wide Web (WWW). Children gain an understanding of the hardware that makes up computer networks and how IP addresses allow communication between computers. They consider the range of internet-connected devices, and how they use web browsers to display the pages of information stored on web servers. A role-play activity then models the internet - children act as routers, servers, client computers and domain name (DNS) servers. Extension activities examine HTML and how it is interpreted by web browser software. Assessment opportunities are also highlighted. Learning about the location of web servers across the world provides cross-curricular links to geography - traceroute tools can be used to show the often-complicated and lengthy routes taken by packets of data transmitted over the internet. References to the Barefoot Computing computational thinking concept cards are also made.

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