← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

Computers and tablets on a network

A computer, laptop or tablet that joins a network so it can send and receive data. It must be connected by cable or wireless first.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Networks and Sharing Data — Module 2

Understanding Computers and tablets on a network in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

What it does: The tablet becomes part of the network only once the connect step is done, so it can then send and receive data. A device has to be connected, by a cable or by wireless, before it is on the network. Being near a router is not enough. A desktop computer usually stays on a desk. The small flat touchscreen you carry around is a tablet. Desktop computers, laptops and tablets can all join a network when they are connected.

Common mistakes: The comma between the two arguments is missing. It should be connect(device, "wifi") so the laptop connects by wifi before it joins the network. The connection type is text, so it needs quote marks. Without them wifi looks like a variable that does not exist. It should be connect(device, "wifi").

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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

🖨 Print worksheet + answer key Add Computers and tablets on a network to a class →

This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 5–26) and word search (Modules 5–43).

Take this worksheet further — free with Cloodit

Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
Which of these can join a network?
A paper notebookA laptop
Matches
tablet.send(photo) // not connected to any network
↓
The tablet is not connected, so it cannot send data. It must join the network first, for example with tablet.connect(network).
Applying
Meanings
Term
network device
Meaning
A computer, laptop or tablet that joins a network so it can send and receive data. It must be connected by cable or wireless first.
Practice
SET device TO "tablet"
Testing
Gaps
(tablet, "SchoolWiFi")
Check Answer
Spots
1device ← "laptop"
2connect(device "wifi")

Cloodit turns curriculum-aligned coding content into journeys students work through one biome at a time.

The 'Stag' badge — Forest Legend, one of Cloodit's 106 collectible badges
Students earn collectable badges

Over 100 of them, across seven natural biomes.

Study Buddy
Students build a real study resource

Turns their work into revision material ready for Flash Cards and Exam study.

Diamond Dash — one of Cloodit's live, competitive Sprint games
Students lock in with Sprints

Live, competitive practice for the start of the lesson or a teacher-led lesson finisher.

A Cloodit certificate of achievement, ready to personalise and print
Custom printable certificates

Honour your top performers, or encourage a student who's trying hard — ready to print in seconds.

Add to class →

Quick Questions

1. Which of these can join a network?
A. A laptop ✓
B. A paper notebook
A laptop is a computer, so it can join a network to send and receive data. A paper notebook has no electronics, so it cannot.
2. A tablet can send and receive data on a network.
A. False
B. True ✓
A tablet is a network device. Once it is connected, it can send and receive data just like a computer.
3. What must a laptop do before it can join a network?
A. Connect by cable or wireless ✓
B. Just be switched on and sitting near the router
A device has to be connected, by a cable or by wireless, before it is on the network. Being near a router is not enough.
4. Which one is a desktop computer?
A. A small flat touchscreen you carry around
B. A computer with a separate screen and keyboard that stays on a desk ✓
A desktop computer usually stays on a desk. The small flat touchscreen you carry around is a tablet.
5. Which statement is correct?
A. Laptops and tablets are both devices that can be on a network ✓
B. Only desktop computers can be on a network
Desktop computers, laptops and tablets can all join a network when they are connected.

Match the Pairs

network device → A computer, laptop or tablet that joins a network so it can send and receive data
laptop.connect(wifi) → A laptop joins the network wirelessly so it can send and receive data
A tablet can join a network, but only after it is connected → tablet.connect(network)
A desktop computer can join a network using a cable → desktop.plugIn(cable)
tablet.send(photo) // not connected to any network → The tablet is not connected, so it cannot send data. It must join the network first, for example with tablet.connect(network).
network = [desktop, laptop, tablet, pencil] → A pencil is not a network device. Only computers, laptops and tablets can join a network and send or receive data.

Key Term

network device
A computer, laptop or tablet that joins a network so it can send and receive data. It must be connected by cable or wireless first.

Fill in the Blanks

1. connect(tablet, "SchoolWiFi")
Hint: Type the command that joins a device to a network.
2. IF tablet.connected = true THEN send(tablet, "photo.jpg") END IF
Hint: Type the value that shows the tablet has joined the network before it sends data.
3. tablet.connect("ClassWiFi") data ← tablet.receive() show(data)
Hint: Type the action word for bringing data from the network into the tablet.
4. IF NOT laptop.connected THEN connect(laptop, "HomeWiFi") END IF
Hint: Type the logic word that checks the laptop has not joined the network yet.
5. networkDevices ← [desktop, laptop, tablet]
Hint: Type the third kind of network device in this topic, the touchscreen one.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A device ← "laptop"
B connect(device "wifi")
C join(network, device)
Line B — The comma between the two arguments is missing. It should be connect(device, "wifi") so the laptop connects by wifi before it joins the network.
Question 2
A device ← "tablet"
B connect(device, wifi)
C join(network, device)
D send(device, "hello")
Line B — The connection type is text, so it needs quote marks. Without them wifi looks like a variable that does not exist. It should be connect(device, "wifi").
Question 3
A connected ← false
B IF connected = true THEN
C send(device, "file")
D END IF
Line A — A device must be connected to join a network. If connected is false, the IF never runs and the file is never sent. Line 1 should set connected ← true.
Question 4
A device ← "desktop
B connect(device, "cable")
C join(network, device)
Line A — The text is missing its closing quote mark. It should be device ← "desktop".
Question 5
A device ← "tablet"
B connect(device, "wifi")
C join(network, devise)
Line C — The variable name is misspelled. The tablet was stored in device, so line 3 should be join(network, device).

Student with a class code? Join your class →