← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

Benefit of a network: sharing files

Saving a file in one place on a network, like the school server, or sending it to other devices so many people can open the same file.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Networks and Sharing Data — Module 20

Understanding Benefit of a network: sharing files in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

What it does: Both computers use the same file path on the server, so they open the same file. The send command sends the file to another device on the network so your classmate can open it. A school server stores files in one shared place, so students and teachers on the network can open them. File sharing is the name for letting many people use the same file over a network. The computer must be connected to the network before a file can be shared or sent.

Common mistakes: If Ava saves the file on her own PC only, Ben cannot open it. She should save it to the server so other computers can open it. A file saved on the desktop stays on that one computer. To open it from another computer, save it on the server.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 27–43) and word search (Modules 5–43).

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Learning
Duo
Maya saves her project on the school server. Which benefit of a network does this show?
Files can be saved in one place and opened by many peopleFiles can only be opened on the computer they were made on
Matches
save('Poster.docx', to='My USB stick only')
↓
The file is saved on a USB stick, not on the network, so other people cannot open it from their computers.
Applying
Meanings
Term
file sharing
Meaning
Saving a file in one place on a network, like the school server, or sending it to other devices so many people can open the same file.
Practice
Save the file on the school server.
Testing
Gaps
(story, schoolServer)
Check Answer
Spots
1Ava writes story.doc
2Ava saves it on her PC only

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Quick Questions

1. Maya saves her project on the school server. Which benefit of a network does this show?
A. Files can be saved in one place and opened by many people ✓
B. Files can only be opened on the computer they were made on
A school server stores files in one shared place, so students and teachers on the network can open them.
2. Which sentence about opening the same file from different computers is true?
A. On a network, you can open the same file from different computers ✓
B. A file can only ever be opened on one computer
If the file is saved on the network, any allowed computer can open it, in the library or in the classroom.
3. Sam wants to give a classmate his poster file using the network. What can he do?
A. Carry the whole computer to the classmate every time
B. Send the file to the classmate over the network ✓
A network lets you send a file to another device without moving the computer.
4. Ella saves her story on the school server on Monday. On Tuesday she uses a different classroom computer. What happens?
A. Her story is lost because the computer is different
B. She can open her story from the new computer ✓
The file is stored on the server, not on one computer, so Ella can reach it from other computers on the network.
5. Which is an example of file sharing on a network?
A. Saving a group report where all group members can open it ✓
B. Typing a report on a computer that is not on any network
File sharing means saving a file in one shared place or sending it to others so they can open it.

Match the Pairs

file sharing → Saving a file in one place on a network, or sending it to other devices, so many people can open the same file.
save to school server → Puts your schoolwork in one shared place on the network so you can open it from any school computer.
Opening the same file from different computers on a network → open('Server/Class5/Poster.docx') on Computer A and Computer B
Sending a file to a classmate over the network → send('Poster.docx', to='Mia')
save('Poster.docx', to='My USB stick only') → The file is saved on a USB stick, not on the network, so other people cannot open it from their computers.
send('Poster.docx', to='Mia') on a computer with no network → A computer that is not on the network cannot send the file to a classmate's device.

Key Term

file sharing
Saving a file in one place on a network, like the school server, or sending it to other devices so many people can open the same file.

Fill in the Blanks

1. save(story, schoolServer)
Hint: Type the command that stores a file in one place on the network.
2. save(story, schoolServer)
Hint: Type the variable for the shared place on the network where the file is stored.
3. send(story, classmate)
Hint: Type the command that passes a copy of a file to another device.
4. send(story, classmate)
Hint: Type the variable for the person who will receive the file.
5. save(story, schoolServer) open(story, schoolServer)
Hint: Type the command a student on another computer uses to view the shared file.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Ava writes story.doc
B Ava saves it on her PC only
C Ben opens it from his PC
Line B — If Ava saves the file on her own PC only, Ben cannot open it. She should save it to the server so other computers can open it.
Question 2
A Save the file on the desktop
B Log in on another computer
C Open the file from the server
Line A — A file saved on the desktop stays on that one computer. To open it from another computer, save it on the server.
Question 3
A Mia is in Room 5
B Her work is on the server
C She moves to the library
D She cannot open it there
Line D — A file on the server can be opened from any computer on the network, so Mia can open it in the library too.
Question 4
A Leo wants Zoe to see his work
B Leo attaches work.docx
C Leo sends it to the printer
D Zoe opens it on her tablet
Line C — To share a file with a classmate, Leo must send it to Zoe, not to the printer. Then Zoe can open it on her tablet.
Question 5
A Shared folder: Year6 Stories
B Only one computer can open it
C The teacher can open it too
Line B — A shared folder lets many people open the same files. It should say that Year 6 students can open it.

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