← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

Searches and browsing add to your footprint

A record of the websites you visit and the things you search for. It adds to your digital footprint even if you never post anything, and it can be saved when you are signed in.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Digital Footprints — Module 5

Understanding Searches and browsing add to your footprint in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

What it does: Being signed in links your searches to your account, so they can be stored as part of your footprint. The search is recorded in your history, so searching adds to your footprint without any posting. Browsing history is a record of the websites you visit and the things you search for. Just visiting a website can be recorded. You do not have to click, post or comment.

Common mistakes: When you are signed in, a search can be saved to your history. The code should add the search with history.append("cats"). Using remove would take it out instead of recording it. A list does not have an add method. To record another search, use history.append("soccer"). Each search you make adds to the history list.

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 Searches and browsing add to your footprint to a class →

This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 174–225) and word search (Modules 137–225).

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

Learning
Duo
You search for 'cute puppies' but never post anything. Does this add to your digital footprint?
No, only posts countYes, searches can be recorded
Matches
I never posted, so my footprint is empty.
↓
Searching, watching videos and visiting websites can all be recorded, so they add to your footprint even if you never post.
Applying
Meanings
Term
browsing history
Meaning
A record of the websites you visit and the things you search for. It adds to your digital footprint even if you never post anything, and it can be saved when you are signed in.
Practice
search ← "funny cat videos"
Testing
Gaps
websites you and things you search.
Check Answer
Spots
3if signed_in:
4 history.remove("cats")

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Quick Questions

1. You search for 'cute puppies' but never post anything. Does this add to your digital footprint?
A. No, only posts count
B. Yes, searches can be recorded ✓
Your footprint is not only what you post. Things you search for can be recorded too, even if you never share anything.
2. Which one is part of your browsing history?
A. The size of your screen
B. The websites you visit ✓
Browsing history is a record of the websites you visit and the things you search for.
3. You watch lots of videos on a video site while signed in. What can happen?
A. The site can save a list of what you watched ✓
B. Nothing is ever saved about what you watch
When you are signed in, a site can link your watch history to your account and save it.
4. Which choice is true about search history?
A. It can show what you were curious about ✓
B. It is always deleted when you close the tab
Search history can be saved and can show the things you looked up. It is not always deleted straight away.
5. When is your search history most likely to be saved to your account?
A. When you are signed in ✓
B. Only when you are signed out
When you are signed in, searches and visits can be linked to your account. Signed-out browsing can still be recorded in other ways.

Match the Pairs

browsing history → A list of the websites you visit and the things you search for. It adds to your footprint even if you never post.
watch history → A list of the videos you have watched on a site or app. It adds to your footprint and can be saved when you are signed in.
When you are signed in, your searches can be saved to your account. → signed_in = true -> save search history
A search you type adds to your footprint even though you did not post anything. → search("cute dog videos") -> history
I never posted, so my footprint is empty. → Searching, watching videos and visiting websites can all be recorded, so they add to your footprint even if you never post.
signed_out = nothing is recorded → Signed out does not always mean nothing is recorded. Websites can still record visits, and your browser can keep a history.

Key Term

browsing history
A record of the websites you visit and the things you search for. It adds to your digital footprint even if you never post anything, and it can be saved when you are signed in.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Browsing history is a record of the websites you visit and things you search.
Hint: Type the verb for what you do when you go to a website.
2. IF signedIn = true THEN SAVE history to account
Hint: Type the value that means the check is correct, because you are logged in to an account.
3. Searching adds to your digital footprint even if you never post.
Hint: Type the name for the trail of data you leave online.
4. Videos you watch can be saved in history.
Hint: Type the verb for what you do with a video on a video site.
5. When you are signed in, history can be saved to your account.
Hint: Type the short word that describes being logged in to an account.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A history = []
B signed_in = True
C if signed_in:
D history.remove("cats")
Line D — When you are signed in, a search can be saved to your history. The code should add the search with history.append("cats"). Using remove would take it out instead of recording it.
Question 2
A history = []
B history.append("pizza")
C history.add("soccer")
D print(len(history))
Line C — A list does not have an add method. To record another search, use history.append("soccer"). Each search you make adds to the history list.
Question 3
A history = []
B signed_in = True
C if signed_in = True:
D history.append("game.com")
Line C — A single = stores a value. An if test needs == to compare. It should be if signed_in == True: so the site is only saved to the account history when you are signed in.
Question 4
A history = []
B videos = ["cats", "slime"]
C for v in videos:
D history.append(v
Line D — The closing bracket is missing. It should be history.append(v). Each video you watch is added to the history, even if you never post anything.
Question 5
A search_adds_footprint = False
B post_needed = False
C print(search_adds_footprint)
Line A — Searching and browsing do add to your digital footprint, even if you never post. The value should be True.

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