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Computers & Digital Literacy · Grade 8

Networking, Security and Privacy Tradeoffs

Learners separate the two meanings of a 'fast' connection (bandwidth and latency), convert between bits and bytes to work out realistic download and upload times, and compare wired and wireless connections. They then examine what public Wi-Fi exposes and what HTTPS does and does not protect, and finish by applying least privilege to app permissions and location sharing in a fictional family decision.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 100 minutes
  • Networks and privacy check: 10 questions
  • Ways to answer: fill in the blanks, choose an answer, estimate, highlight a text, match pairs and type a number
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What learners will discover

  • Distinguish bandwidth from latency and decide which one matters most for a given task.
  • Convert between bits and bytes and calculate download and upload times from a file size and a connection speed.
  • Compare wired and wireless connections, explain the risks of public Wi-Fi, and describe what HTTPS does and does not protect.
  • Apply least privilege to app permissions and location sharing, and weigh convenience, security and privacy in a decision.

Lessons

  1. Two kinds of fast: bandwidth and latency 7 steps5 practiceabout 23 min
  2. Bits, bytes and download time 7 steps5 practiceabout 25 min
  3. Wired, wireless and public Wi-Fi 7 steps4 practiceabout 26 min
  4. Permissions, location and privacy tradeoffs 8 steps4 practiceabout 26 min
  5. Networks and privacy check 10 questions at the end

Keep exploring

More 8th grade computer skills

Guide for grown-ups