← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

Printer on a network

A printer joined to the network by cable or Wi-Fi, so many computers and tablets can send their printing to it without being plugged in to each one.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Networks and Sharing Data — Module 3

Understanding Printer on a network in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

What it does: The library printer is a good example of one networked printer shared by many devices at school. A cable connects the printer to the network once, so many computers can then print without their own cable to it. The library printer is on the network, so each device sends its printing over the network. Nobody needs to unplug anything.

Common mistakes: A networked printer joins the network by cable or Wi-Fi. A USB cable to one laptop would not let other devices share it. The line should be connection = Wi-Fi. Every tablet sends its print job over the network. The printer is not plugged into each tablet. The line should be: send print job over network.

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 5–26) and word search (Modules 5–43).

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

Learning

Duo

Which sentence describes a networked printer?

A printer that many devices can send printing to over the networkA printer that only works with one computer plugged into it

Matches

Each computer needs its own cable to the printer so it can print.

↓

This is wrong for a networked printer. Many devices share it over the network, so each device does not need its own cable.

Applying

Meanings

Term

networked printer

Meaning

A printer joined to the network by cable or Wi-Fi, so many computers and tablets can send their printing to it without being plugged in to each one.

Practice

The library printer joins the network by Wi-Fi.

Testing

Gaps

(printer, "SchoolWiFi")

Check Answer

Spots

1printer = Library Printer

2connection = USB to one laptop

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Quick Questions

1. Which sentence describes a networked printer?

A. A printer that only works with one computer plugged into it

B. A printer that many devices can send printing to over the network ✓

A networked printer is joined to the network, so many computers and tablets can use it.

2. How can a networked printer be joined to the network?

A. By a network cable or by Wi-Fi ✓

B. Only by a USB cable to one laptop

A networked printer connects by cable or Wi-Fi. A USB cable to one laptop does not put the printer on the network.

3. Mia and Noah are in the school library. Both want to print their work on the library printer. What happens on a network?

A. They must take turns unplugging the printer and plugging it into their own device

B. Both can send their printing to the same printer from their own devices ✓

The library printer is on the network, so each device sends its printing over the network. Nobody needs to unplug anything.

4. Does a networked printer need to be plugged into every computer that uses it?

A. No, it only needs to be joined to the network ✓

B. Yes, every computer needs its own cable to the printer

The network does the connecting. That is why many devices can share one printer.

5. A tablet is on the school Wi-Fi. Can it print to a printer that is also on the school Wi-Fi?

A. Yes, both are on the network so the tablet can send its printing ✓

B. No, a tablet can never print to a printer

Tablets and computers on the same network can send their printing to a networked printer.

Match the Pairs

networked printer → A printer joined to the network by cable or Wi-Fi so many devices can send their printing to it.

Wi-Fi printer → A networked printer that connects wirelessly, so it needs no cable to each computer.

The school library has one printer that every class can send their printing to over the network. → library printer

A printer does not need to be plugged into every computer because it is joined to the network. → printer + network cable

Each computer needs its own cable to the printer so it can print. → This is wrong for a networked printer. Many devices share it over the network, so each device does not need its own cable.

Only one computer can send printing to a networked printer. → This is wrong. A networked printer accepts printing from many computers and tablets on the network.

Key Term

networked printer

A printer joined to the network by cable or Wi-Fi, so many computers and tablets can send their printing to it without being plugged in to each one.

Fill in the Blanks

1. connect(printer, "SchoolWiFi")

Hint: Type the command that joins the printer to the network.

2. send(report, libraryPrinter)

Hint: Type the name of the shared printer that receives the printing.

3. printer.connectedTo = network

Hint: Type what a networked printer joins, instead of just one computer.

4. for each tablet in class: send(photo, libraryPrinter)

Hint: Type the keyword that repeats the printing for many devices.

5. printer.type = "networked" cableToEveryPC = false

Hint: Type the true or false value showing a networked printer does not need a cable to each computer.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A printer = Library Printer

B connection = USB to one laptop

C joined to network = yes

D laptops send print jobs = yes

Line B — A networked printer joins the network by cable or Wi-Fi. A USB cable to one laptop would not let other devices share it. The line should be connection = Wi-Fi.

Question 2

A for each tablet in class:

B join the school network

C plug printer into tablet

D printer prints the page

Line C — Every tablet sends its print job over the network. The printer is not plugged into each tablet. The line should be: send print job over network.

Question 3

A printer = Library Printer

B ava_laptop.join(network)

C ava_laptop.print(ben_tablet)

D ben_tablet.print(printer)

Line C — Ava's laptop must send its print job to the printer, not to Ben's tablet. The line should be ava_laptop.print(printer).

Question 4

A Wi-Fi printer in library

B Ava sends a print job

C Ben sends a print job

D Printer prints only Ava's job

Line D — A networked printer takes print jobs from many devices, so it prints Ben's job too. The line should be: Printer prints both jobs.

Question 5

A A networked printer has 1 user

B Many devices can print to it

C It joins by cable or Wi-Fi

Line A — A networked printer is shared by many devices. It does not belong to just one user. The line should be: A networked printer is shared.

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