Learning objective
Networks & Internet
Computer Networks & The Internet
1
2
3
4
5
6
Understanding how computing devices connect to form local networks and the global internet, sharing data securely through wired, wireless, and cloud protocols.
Digital Connections
Identify devices that connect together to share information locally or wirelessly.
Let's Go!
Routine: See-Think-Wonder
How can a tablet send a picture to a printer across the room without any wires attached?
Learn
When computers link together, they form a NETWORK. Networks allow devices to talk to each other, share printers, and send messages across the room or across the world!
Try it yourself
Connect the Classroom Devices
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Identifies a tablet connected to a printer or Wi-Fi router.
Developing
Explains that connected devices can share pictures and sound.
Secure (Goal)
Draws a network connection showing devices linked together.
Mastery
Distinguishes between standalone devices and networked devices.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: See-Think-Wonder
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Identifies a tablet connected to a printer or Wi-Fi router.
- Developing: Explains that connected devices can share pictures and sound.
- Secure: Draws a network connection showing devices linked together.
- Mastering: Distinguishes between standalone devices and networked devices.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Networks & Communication
Outcome: CS.01.B.2.1 — Identify devices that connect together to share information locally or wirelessly.
PYP: Form · Connected devices allow people to communicate and share ideas across spaces.
Learner profile: Inquirer
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 2: Wi-Fi & Cables
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Wi-Fi & Cables
Compare wired Ethernet connections with wireless Wi-Fi and Bluetooth transmission.
Learning objective
Students will compare how wired cables and invisible wireless signals (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) transmit network data.
Let's Go!
Routine: Think-Pair-Share
Why do desktop PCs often use cable plugs, while smartphones use Wi-Fi waves?
Learn
Wired networks use physical copper or fibre cables (Ethernet) to carry electricity or light signals. Wireless networks (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) use invisible radio waves to travel through the air!
Try it yourself
Build a Hybrid Network
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Identifies an Ethernet cable and a Wi-Fi symbol.
Developing
Sorts connection types into wired (cables) vs wireless (radio waves).
Secure (Goal)
Explains advantages of Wi-Fi mobility vs Ethernet speed and stability.
Mastery
Selects appropriate connection methods for different hardware devices.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Think-Pair-Share
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Identifies an Ethernet cable and a Wi-Fi symbol.
- Developing: Sorts connection types into wired (cables) vs wireless (radio waves).
- Secure: Explains advantages of Wi-Fi mobility vs Ethernet speed and stability.
- Mastering: Selects appropriate connection methods for different hardware devices.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Network Infrastructure
Outcome: CS.01.B.2.2 — Compare wired Ethernet connections with wireless Wi-Fi and Bluetooth transmission.
PYP: Function · Wired and wireless signals enable continuous information transfer.
Learner profile: Communicator
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 3: Routers & Switches
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Routers & Switches
Model Local Area Network (LAN) hardware components including routers, switches, and network cables.
Learning objective
Students will understand the role of network switches and routers in managing local traffic within a Local Area Network (LAN).
Let's Go!
Routine: See-Think-Wonder
How does a school router know which printer to send your print job to when 30 computers are online?
Learn
A Local Area Network (LAN) connects devices within one building. A SWITCH acts as a traffic traffic-cop directing local messages, while a ROUTER acts as a gateway connecting your LAN to outside networks!
Try it yourself
Configure a School LAN
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Identifies a Wi-Fi router in a home or classroom.
Developing
Explains that a switch directs messages to specific local devices.
Secure (Goal)
Diagrams a complete school LAN connecting PCs, printers, and a gateway router.
Mastery
Explains how IP addresses identify individual devices on a local network.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: See-Think-Wonder
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Identifies a Wi-Fi router in a home or classroom.
- Developing: Explains that a switch directs messages to specific local devices.
- Secure: Diagrams a complete school LAN connecting PCs, printers, and a gateway router.
- Mastering: Explains how IP addresses identify individual devices on a local network.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: LAN Architecture
Outcome: CS.02.B.2.1 — Model Local Area Network (LAN) hardware components including routers, switches, and network cables.
PYP: Connection · Local area networks organize device traffic within buildings and communities.
Learner profile: Thinker
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 4: Global Connections
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Global Connections
Differentiate between the physical global Internet infrastructure and web software services (WWW, DNS, Web Servers).
Learning objective
Students will distinguish between the physical global Internet network infrastructure and the World Wide Web software applications that run on it.
Let's Go!
Routine: Chalk Talk
Is 'The Internet' the exact same thing as 'The World Wide Web'?
How are they different?
Learn
The INTERNET is the physical network of connected computers, undersea cables, and routers worldwide. The WORLD WIDE WEB is a service of hyperlinked web pages and apps that run ON TOP of the Internet!
Try it yourself
Trace a Web Page Request
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Recognizes that web pages are stored on computers called servers.
Developing
Explains the difference between the Internet (hardware network) and the Web (pages/content).
Secure (Goal)
Traces how Domain Name System (DNS) translates web addresses (urls) into IP addresses.
Mastery
Explains client-server web requests across international data pathways.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Chalk Talk
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Recognizes that web pages are stored on computers called servers.
- Developing: Explains the difference between the Internet (hardware network) and the Web (pages/content).
- Secure: Traces how Domain Name System (DNS) translates web addresses (urls) into IP addresses.
- Mastering: Explains client-server web requests across international data pathways.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Web & Internet Systems
Outcome: CS.02.B.2.2 — Differentiate between the physical global Internet infrastructure and web software services (WWW, DNS, Web Servers).
PYP: Change · Global web services rely on worldwide internet infrastructure to connect humanity.
Learner profile: Principled
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 5: Packet Switching
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Packet Switching
Analyze packet switching, IP routing, and communication protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP/HTTPS).
Learning objective
Students will analyze how data files are broken into numbered packets, routed independently across networks, and reassembled using protocols.
Let's Go!
Routine: See-Think-Wonder
If you email a large video to a friend, does it travel across the internet as one giant block or tiny pieces?
Learn
Data transmitted across networks is split into tiny pieces called PACKETS. Each packet has a HEADER containing sender/receiver IP addresses and sequence numbers. Routers send packets via different pathways, and TCP reassembles them at the end!
Try it yourself
Route Data Packets
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Understands that large digital files are split into smaller pieces to travel over networks.
Developing
Explains how packet headers contain sender/recipient IP addresses and sequence numbers.
Secure (Goal)
Simulates packet switching where packets take different network routes and reassemble at the destination.
Mastery
Analyzes how TCP detects lost packets and requests re-transmission.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: See-Think-Wonder
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Understands that large digital files are split into smaller pieces to travel over networks.
- Developing: Explains how packet headers contain sender/recipient IP addresses and sequence numbers.
- Secure: Simulates packet switching where packets take different network routes and reassemble at the destination.
- Mastering: Analyzes how TCP detects lost packets and requests re-transmission.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Network Protocols
Outcome: CS.03.B.2.1 — Analyze packet switching, IP routing, and communication protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP/HTTPS).
PYP: Perspective · Standardized protocols govern how data is split, routed, and verified across global networks.
Learner profile: Knowledgeable
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 6: Encryption & Cloud
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Encryption & Cloud
Evaluate network security measures (firewalls, HTTPS encryption, cloud storage, authentication).
Learning objective
Students will evaluate network security mechanisms, public key encryption (HTTPS), firewalls, and distributed cloud architecture.
Let's Go!
Routine: Compass Points
When you type your password online, how do secure websites prevent hackers from stealing it as it travels through Wi-Fi?
Learn
Network security protects connected systems. FIREWALLS block unauthorized network traffic, ENCRYPTION (HTTPS) scrambles data in transit so only the recipient can read it, and CLOUD COMPUTING stores data on secure distributed server banks!
Try it yourself
Audit Network Security Setup
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Identifies the padlock icon indicating a secure HTTPS website connection.
Developing
Explains how firewalls filter unauthorized network traffic.
Secure (Goal)
Demonstrates how encryption scrambles network data so eavesdroppers cannot read it.
Mastery
Evaluates cloud computing infrastructure vulnerabilities and multi-factor authentication systems.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Compass Points
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Identifies the padlock icon indicating a secure HTTPS website connection.
- Developing: Explains how firewalls filter unauthorized network traffic.
- Secure: Demonstrates how encryption scrambles network data so eavesdroppers cannot read it.
- Mastering: Evaluates cloud computing infrastructure vulnerabilities and multi-factor authentication systems.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Cybersecurity & Cloud
Outcome: CS.03.B.2.2 — Evaluate network security measures (firewalls, HTTPS encryption, cloud storage, authentication).
PYP: Reflection · Cybersecurity protocols and cloud architectures protect digital infrastructure and data privacy.
Learner profile: Reflective
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow