← Years 5–6 Digital Systems

Computer network

A group of digital systems connected together so they can share data, files, printers and an internet connection. Each connected device is called a node.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems & Security — Module 25, 7-8 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 23, 9-10 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 4, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.4 Network Hardware — Module 1, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 5.1 The Internet and the World Wide Web — Module 1, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Networks and Sharing Data — Module 1, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Wired and Wireless Networks — Module 1, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Networked Systems and Access Control — Module 1, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Network Communications — Module 1

Understanding Computer network in Years 5–6 Digital Systems

What it does: Sharing files and printers is a key reason for connecting digital systems in a network. A network lets many nodes share a single internet connection instead of each needing its own. Each device connected to a network, such as a laptop, tablet or printer, is called a node. Connected devices that share files form a network. Being in the same room does not stop them being a network. Networks are used to share data, files, printers and internet connections. They cannot make a device run without power.

Common mistakes: The closing bracket is missing. It should be nodes.append('printer') so the printer is added as a new node on the network. An if statement needs a colon at the end. It should be if devices >= 2: so the network message prints when 2 or more devices are connected.

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 Computer network to a class →

This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 21–30) and word search (Modules 21–52).

Take this worksheet further — free with Cloodit

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

Learning

Duo

Which best describes a computer network?

A single computer with lots of storageA group of digital systems connected so they can share data

Matches

network = [laptop]

↓

A network needs at least two connected digital systems, so one laptop on its own is not a network. Add another node, like [laptop, printer].

Applying

Meanings

Term

network

Meaning

A group of digital systems connected together so they can share data, files, printers and an internet connection. Each connected device is called a node.

Practice

NETWORK: laptop, tablet, printer, router

Testing

Gaps

print((network))

Check Answer

Spots

1nodes = ['PC', 'laptop']

2nodes.append('printer'

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

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 best describes a computer network?

A. A single computer with lots of storage

B. A group of digital systems connected so they can share data ✓

A network needs at least two digital systems connected together so they can share data.

2. In a network, what is each connected device called?

A. A node ✓

B. A cable

Each device connected to a network, such as a laptop, tablet or printer, is called a node.

3. A school has 20 laptops connected so students can save work to one shared folder. Is this a network?

A. Yes, the laptops are connected to share files ✓

B. No, because the laptops are all in the same room

Connected devices that share files form a network. Being in the same room does not stop them being a network.

4. Which is a benefit of connecting computers in a network?

A. Every device needs its own printer

B. Several devices can share one printer ✓

Sharing printers is a key reason for networks. Many nodes can send print jobs to the same printer.

5. Which statement about sharing an internet connection is true?

A. Many devices on a network can use one internet connection ✓

B. Only one device on a network can use the internet at a time

A network lets laptops, phones and tablets all share a single internet connection.

Match the Pairs

network → A group of digital systems connected together so they can share data

node → Any single device connected to a network, such as a laptop, tablet or printer

Computers on a network can share a printer so anyone connected can print to it → network.share("printer")

Devices on a network can share one internet connection so they can all go online → network.share("internet")

network = [laptop] → A network needs at least two connected digital systems, so one laptop on its own is not a network. Add another node, like [laptop, printer].

node = "the whole network" → A node is a single connected device, not the whole network. It should be something like node = "laptop".

Key Term

network

A group of digital systems connected together so they can share data, files, printers and an internet connection. Each connected device is called a node.

Fill in the Blanks

1. network = ["laptop", "tablet", "printer"] print(len(network))

Hint: Type the built-in function that counts how many devices (nodes) are in the network.

2. network = ["laptop", "tablet", "printer"] for node in network: print(node)

Hint: Type the word for one connected device in a network, used as the loop variable.

3. network.share("printer")

Hint: Type the action name that lets all connected devices use the same printer.

4. network = ["laptop", "router"] if "router" in network: share_internet = True

Hint: Type the operator that checks whether a device is a member of the network.

5. network.share("internet")

Hint: Type the name of the group of connected devices that shares an internet connection.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A nodes = ['PC', 'laptop']

B nodes.append('printer'

C print(len(nodes))

Line B — The closing bracket is missing. It should be nodes.append('printer') so the printer is added as a new node on the network.

Question 2

A devices = 2

B if devices >= 2

C print('Network')

Line B — An if statement needs a colon at the end. It should be if devices >= 2: so the network message prints when 2 or more devices are connected.

Question 3

A printer = 'Printer1'

B job = 'report.pdf'

C queue = [job]

D print(queue[1], 'to', printer)

Line D — The queue holds only one print job, at index 0. Index 1 does not exist. It should be queue[0] so the shared printer receives the job.

Question 4

A connected = True

B if connected = True:

C print('Internet shared')

Line B — A single = assigns a value. To compare in an if statement, use ==. It should be if connected == True: to check the shared connection is on.

Question 5

A shared = []

B file = 'photo.png'

C shared.append(photo)

D print(shared)

Line C — The variable is called file, and photo is not defined. It should be shared.append(file) so the file is added to the shared list.

Student with a class code? Join your class →