Year 7 – Networks: from semaphores to the Internet Learner activity sheet

Lesson 3 – Wired and wireless networks

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Bandwidth matters
Some online activities use more data than others. Can you identify which activities use more bandwidth? Look at each activity and place an ‘X’ in the correct
column to identify whether it is a light-, medium-, or high-bandwidth activity.

Table:
Activity Light Medium High

Reading online news x

Checking the weather x

Online gaming x

Checking social media x

Emailing regularly x

A vlogger uploading videos to x

YouTube daily

Page 1 Last updated: 24-10-19

Year 7 – Networks: from semaphores to the Internet Learner activity sheet
Lesson 3 – Wired and wireless networks
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Wired versus wireless

There are twelve statements and two tables. One table is for wired networks and the other table is for wireless networks. Each table contains two columns, one
for advantages, and one for disadvantages.

Your challenge:
● Identify whether the statement relates to wired or wireless networks.

● Next, identify whether it is an advantage or disadvantage.

● Next, move the statement into the correct column (use copy and paste).

● Six statements have been completed for you. Six need to be sorted.

Statements:
● Connections can be weakened by walls and ceilings
● Better security
● More expensive and time-consuming to add devices, as each device needs cables
● Devices are in fixed positions (no portability)
● It is quick and cheap to connect new devices
● Allows portability

Wired networks:
Advantage Disadvantage

Faster connection (little to no interference) Cables can be a trip hazard and look unpleasant

Page 2 Last updated: 24-10-19

Year 7 – Networks: from semaphores to the Internet Learner activity sheet
Lesson 3 – Wired and wireless networks
Save a copy

Higher bandwidth Devices are in fixed positions (no portability)

It is quick and cheap to connect new devices More expensive and time-consuming to add devices, as each device needs
cables

Wireless networks:
Advantage Disadvantage

No trailing wires/no trip hazard Lower bandwidth

Allows portability Connections can be weakened by walls and ceilings

It is quick and cheap to connect new devices Less secure

Page 3 Last updated: 24-10-19

Year 7 – Networks: from semaphores to the Internet Learner activity sheet
Lesson 3 – Wired and wireless networks
Save a copy

Wired or wireless?
Read the six scenarios below. Identify whether it would be best to use a wired or wireless network.

Scenario Wired or wireless

The restaurant: A restaurant uses portable tablets to take the orders from its guests. When these orders are put through, they wireless
appear on a large screen in the kitchen so that the food can be prepared.

The vlogger: A gaming vlogger has over 1 million subscribers. They record footage of themselves playing the most popular wired
online multiplayer games and then upload their footage to YouTube in high definition.

The primary school: A local primary school has two rooms that are used to teach learners computing. Each room contains 30 wired
personal computers that are fixed to desks. The room is booked by teachers for computing lessons. There are no portable devices
in use.

The cafe: A cafe gives its paying customers free internet access to use while they’re at the cafe. Customers use their own devices, wireless
which include tablets, mobile phones, and laptops.

The office: A large office has over 200 workers, all of whom require a computer to complete their work. Each employee has their wireless
own area of the office in which to work.

The family: A family of 4 lives in a semi-detached house. They have a large number of devices used to connect to the internet. wirelsess
These include computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, and smart TVs. The family enjoys online shopping, playing online
games, and streaming online TV.

This resource is available online at ncce.io/net1-3-a1-w. Resources are updated regularly — please check that you are using the latest version.
This resource is licensed under the Open Government Licence, version 3. For more information on this licence, see ncce.io/ogl.

Page 4 Last updated: 24-10-19