Computer Science
Grade 4
20 min
The Internet: A Big Network of Networks
Introducing the internet as a giant network connecting computers worldwide.
What you'll learn
- Identify at least two devices (like computers, phones, or tablets) that can connect to the Internet.
- Explain, in their own words, that the Internet helps people share information with each other.
- Draw a picture showing how two computers can connect to the Internet to share a picture.
- Name one thing they can do on the internet (like watch a video or play a game).
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define what a computer network is.
Identify the basic parts of a simple network (computer, router, connection).
Explain that the Internet is a 'network of networks'.
Draw a diagram of a simple home network.
Describe how two computers in different places can communicate over the Internet.
Differentiate between a local network (like in a house) and the global Internet.
Have you ever wondered how you can play a video game with a friend who lives in another city? 🎮 Let's find out how computers talk to each other!
Today, we're going to learn about computer networks, which are like secret pathways that let computers share information. We'll discover how your computer connects to a giant network called the Internet to reach websites, g...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
NetworkA group of two or more computers that are connected so they can share things and talk to each other.The computers in your school's computer lab are a network. They can all print to the same printer.
ComputerA device that can follow instructions and process information. This includes laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones.The tablet you use to watch videos is a type of computer.
RouterA special device that acts like a traffic cop for a network. It directs messages between computers and connects your network to the Internet.The little box with blinking lights in your house that gives you Wi-Fi is a router.
ConnectionThe link that lets computers in a network talk to each other. It can be a physical cable or invisible, like Wi-Fi.The Wi-Fi signal that co...
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Core Syntax & Patterns
The Connection Rule
Device -> Connection -> Router
To join a network, a device (like a laptop) must have a connection (like Wi-Fi) to a router. The router is the gateway to the network.
The Address Rule
Every device on a network has a unique address.
Just like your house has a mailing address, every computer or phone on a network has a special address (called an IP address) so messages can find it.
The Internet Path Algorithm
My Computer -> My Router -> The Internet -> Website's Router -> Website's Server
To get information from the Internet, your request follows a path. It goes from your computer to your router, out to the big Internet, and then finds the right server that has the website you want.
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
Imagine the Internet was built without any routers. How would your computer send a message to a specific computer far away?
A.It would work exactly the same as it does now.
B.It would have to be directly connected by a single, long wire to every other computer it wanted to talk to.
C.It would send the message to the sky and hope it gets there.
D.It would print the message out.
Challenging
Your school is setting up a new computer lab. They need the computers to share files with each other AND connect to the Internet to visit websites. Which list of equipment is most essential?
A.Just computers and monitors.
B.Computers, a printer, and a scanner.
C.Computers, speakers, and webcams.
D.Computers, cables or Wi-Fi cards, a switch to connect them, and a router to connect to the Internet.
Challenging
Breaking a large photo into many small packets to send over the Internet is a good idea. Why? Think of the photo as a big puzzle.
A.If one packet (puzzle piece) gets lost, only that small piece needs to be sent again, not the whole photo (the entire puzzle).
B.It makes the photo have more colors.
C.It makes the photo file smaller.
D.It's easier for the server to store many small pieces than one big one.
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Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "The Internet: A Big Network of Networks"?
The Internet: A Big Network of Networks is a Grade 4 Computer Science lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in The Internet: A Big Network of Networks?
You'll be able to: Identify at least two devices (like computers, phones, or tablets) that can connect to the Internet; Explain, in their own words, that the Internet helps people share information with each other; Draw a picture showing how two….
Is "The Internet: A Big Network of Networks" free to practice?
Yes. You can read the tutorial preview for free, and signing up for a free ExcelOS account unlocks the full tutorial and all practice questions with instant feedback.
How many practice questions are included with The Internet: A Big Network of Networks?
This lesson includes 27 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.