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Computing · Stage 4

Wifi vs Wired

Coding & Systems · networks — devices can join a network two ways: by wifi through the air, or by a cable (a wire)

✦ Computing📘 Stage 4 · S4⏱ ~10 min🧒 Ages 8–9★ Free to start
explain how devices connect by wifi or cable
Start the free lesson →⬇ Printable PDF
Kavi the owl for Computing
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Kavi Plugs In, Kavi Floats Free

Kavi's tablet was online, but there was no cable anywhere! "How is it connected?" Kavi wondered. The tablet was using wifi — it talks to the router through the air, as invisible signals, with no cable at all. That is why Kavi could carry the tablet all around the room and stay online. Then Kavi looked at the family computer in the corner. It had a cable running from it straight into the router — a wired connection. "It can't wander off like my tablet," Kavi said, "but its connection is super steady and fast." Two ways to join the same network: wifi through the air, or a wire you plug in. Both reach the router!

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What your child will learn

1Wifi through the air, or a wire you plug inA device can join a network in two ways. Wifi connects through the air with no cable, so you can move around. A wired connection uses a cable plugged in, so it stays in one place but is very steady. Tap each card to compare.
2What joins a device to the networkBoth wifi and a cable do the same job: they join your device to the router, which reaches the network. Tap each part to hear its job.
3Kavi wants to walk around while onlineKavi wants to carry the tablet all around the room and stay connected the whole time. Predict which connection is best, then reveal.
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A peek inside

Kavi's tablet is online but has no cable anywhere. Is it connected by wifi or by a cable?
no cable means it connects through the air

Try this at home: Connecting through the air as signals, with no cable, is called ____.

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

Start the free lesson →⬇ Download PDF

Part of Computing · Stage 4 · S4 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.