Have you ever wondered how the internet works? Let’s explore this in a fun and easy way! Imagine you are sending a message, like an email, across the internet. In this activity, you will learn about three different ways messages can travel: Wi-Fi, DSL, and fiber-optic.
When you use Wi-Fi, it’s like wearing your message on your head. This means that sometimes, parts of the message might get lost along the way. Wi-Fi is a wireless way to send messages, and it can be a bit tricky because signals can be interrupted by walls or other objects.
DSL is a bit different. Imagine carrying your message on your back and then passing it to your hand. This method is more reliable than Wi-Fi, so fewer parts of the message get lost. DSL uses cables to send messages, which helps keep them safe as they travel.
Fiber-optic is the most reliable way to send messages. Picture yourself carrying the message with both hands. This way, the message is very unlikely to get lost. Fiber-optic uses special cables that send messages as beams of light, making it super fast and dependable.
This activity helps you understand how the internet works, which is something we use every day! By pretending to be Wi-Fi, DSL, or fiber-optic, you can see how messages travel and why some methods are better than others. It’s a fun way to learn about the technology that connects us all!
Message Relay Game: Gather a group of friends or family members and play a game of “Message Relay.” Divide into three teams, each representing Wi-Fi, DSL, and fiber-optic. Use different methods to pass a message from one person to another:
Discuss which method was the fastest and most accurate. Why do you think that is?
Internet Scavenger Hunt: Go on a scavenger hunt around your home or school to find items that use the internet. Look for devices like smartphones, tablets, computers, or smart TVs. For each item, identify whether it connects to the internet using Wi-Fi, DSL, or fiber-optic. Make a list and share your findings with your classmates or family.
Design Your Own Internet: Draw a picture of your own internet system. Think about how you would send messages quickly and safely. Would you use Wi-Fi, DSL, or fiber-optic, or maybe a combination of all three? Label your drawing and explain your choices to a friend or family member.
**Unplugged Activity | Internet (Amy Hirotaka – Code.org)**
This activity explains, in an easy-to-understand way, how the internet works. We clarify all the terminology you’ll need in simple terms, so that students can simulate transmitting messages, like an email. Students will transmit messages while pretending to be one of three transmission methods: wireless internet (Wi-Fi), DSL, or fiber-optic.
Students representing Wi-Fi will wear the message they’re transmitting on their head, as Wi-Fi is the most likely to drop some information. Students pretending to be DSL or cable will carry the message on their back to their hand, where they’re slightly less likely to drop information. Students representing fiber-optic will carry the messages with both hands.
This activity is a great way to understand something that many of us use every day.
