← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

Choosing wired or wireless for a device

Pick wired for a device that stays in one place and needs a steady link, like a lab desktop or printer. Pick wireless for a device you carry around, like a tablet.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Networks and Sharing Data — Module 14

Understanding Choosing wired or wireless for a device in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

What it does: The printer never moves and many people use it, so a wired link keeps it connected steadily. Carrying the tablet means a cable would get in the way, so wireless lets it stay connected on the move. A desktop stays in one place and needs a steady link, so a cable is a good choice. Wireless is best for devices that move. A lab desktop stays put, so wired suits it. A tablet moves between classrooms, so it joins the network wirelessly and can be used anywhere. A fixed device does not need to move, so a cable gives it a steadier connection.

Common mistakes: A lab desktop stays in one place, so stays_put should be true. That is why it gets a wired connection. A tablet is carried between classrooms, so carried should be true. That is why wireless suits it.

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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
A desktop computer sits on the same desk in the school lab every day. Which connection suits it best?
WirelessWired
Matches
Tablet moved between classrooms -> wired
↓
A tablet gets carried around, so a cable would limit where it can go. It should be wireless.
Applying
Meanings
Term
wired or wireless
Meaning
Pick wired for a device that stays in one place and needs a steady link, like a lab desktop or printer. Pick wireless for a device you carry around, like a tablet.
Practice
IF device stays in one place THEN
Testing
Gaps
connect("lab desktop", "")
Check Answer
Spots
1device ← "lab desktop"
2stays_put ← false

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Quick Questions

1. A desktop computer sits on the same desk in the school lab every day. Which connection suits it best?
A. Wireless
B. Wired ✓
A desktop stays in one place and needs a steady link, so a cable is a good choice.
2. A tablet is carried from classroom to classroom. Which connection suits it best?
A. Wireless ✓
B. Wired
A tablet that moves around needs wireless so it can stay connected without a cable holding it back.
3. The school printer stays in a fixed spot in the library. Which connection is a good choice?
A. Wired ✓
B. Wireless
A printer that never moves can use a cable for a steady, reliable link.
4. Which device is the better match for a wireless connection?
A. A lab desktop that never moves
B. A tablet you carry between rooms ✓
Wireless is best for devices that move. A lab desktop stays put, so wired suits it.
5. Which reason is a good one for choosing wired?
A. The device stays in one place and needs a steady link ✓
B. The device is carried around all day
Wired is chosen for devices that stay put and need a steady link. Carried devices suit wireless.

Match the Pairs

Lab desktop -> wired → A computer that stays on one desk and needs a steady link should use a cable.
Tablet -> wireless → A device that is carried between rooms should connect without a cable.
A printer that sits in one fixed spot needs a steady link, so choose a cable. → Printer in the library corner -> wired
A device you carry around should not be tied to a cable, so choose wireless. → Tablet carried to the art room -> wireless
Tablet moved between classrooms -> wired → A tablet gets carried around, so a cable would limit where it can go. It should be wireless.
Printer fixed in one spot -> wireless → A printer that stays in one place needs a steady link, so it should be wired, not wireless.

Key Term

wired or wireless
Pick wired for a device that stays in one place and needs a steady link, like a lab desktop or printer. Pick wireless for a device you carry around, like a tablet.

Fill in the Blanks

1. connect("lab desktop", "wired")
Hint: Type the connection type that gives a computer that stays in one place a steady link.
2. connect("tablet", "wireless")
Hint: Type the connection type for a device that is carried between classrooms.
3. device = "printer" connect(device, "wired")
Hint: Type the connection type that suits a printer sitting in a fixed spot.
4. IF moves = true THEN link = "wireless" ELSE link = "wired"
Hint: Type the keyword that chooses the other option when the condition is not true.
5. device = "printer" moves = false link = "wired"
Hint: Type the true or false value that shows whether this device is carried around.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A device ← "lab desktop"
B stays_put ← false
C connection ← "wired"
D PRINT connection
Line B — A lab desktop stays in one place, so stays_put should be true. That is why it gets a wired connection.
Question 2
A device ← "tablet"
B carried ← false
C connection ← "wireless"
D PRINT connection
Line B — A tablet is carried between classrooms, so carried should be true. That is why wireless suits it.
Question 3
A IF in_fixed_spot = false THEN
B connection ← "wired"
C ELSE
D connection ← "wireless"
E END IF
Line A — A printer in a fixed spot should get the wired branch. The test must be in_fixed_spot = true, not false.
Question 4
A device ← "tablet"
B moves_rooms ← true
C IF moves_rooms = true THEN
D connection ← "wired"
E ELSE
F connection ← "wired"
Line D — A tablet that moves between rooms needs wireless. Line 4 should set connection to "wireless".
Question 5
A FUNCTION pick()
B IF moves THEN RETURN "wireless"
C ELSE RETURN "wired"
Line A — The function checks moves, so moves must be a parameter. It should be FUNCTION pick(moves).

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