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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can explain the importance of internet addresses.

Key learning points

  1. An IP address is a unique number used to identify a device on a network.
  2. Devices on a network are assigned IP addresses.
  3. Domain name servers match website names to IP addresses.
  4. Computers use addresses to access websites.

Keywords

  • Internet Protocol (IP) address - an identifier, such as 192.168.4.8, that is assigned to a networked device

  • Domain Name Server (DNS) - a system that matches website names to IP addresses

  • Communication - the exchange of information between devices or people

Common misconception

The internet knows website names, not numbers.

Computers use IP addresses (numbers, and DNS helps match names to those numbers).

Teacher tip

Use a classroom analogy, such as matching a person's name to their address, to help pupils understand that DNS converts a URL into an IP address that computers use to locate websites.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is an example of a website?

Correct answer: www.thenewsclub.co.uk
“Monday”
12345
a computer mouse

Q2.
What do you type into a browser to visit a web page?

a song
Correct answer: a URL or web address
a password
a drawing

Q3.
Which of these is a webpage?

Correct answer: a single screen of information on a website
a type of computer code
a printer
a keyboard

Q4.
What does “www” mean in a web address?

Correct Answer: World Wide Web

Q5.
Put these in order for visiting a website:

1 - open a web browser
2 - type the URL
3 - press Enter
4 - view the webpage

Q6.
Arrange these from smallest to largest:

1 - webpage
2 - website
3 - internet

6 Questions

Q1.
What is an IP address used for?

to decorate a website
to store passwords
Correct answer: to identify a device on a network
to make websites faster

Q2.
Which of these is an example of an IP address?

123 Main Street
www.example.com
http://
Correct answer: 192.168.1.1

Q3.
What does DNS stand for?

Correct Answer: Domain Name Server

Q4.
Put these steps in order for visiting a website:

1 - You type the website name in the browser.
2 - The DNS finds the IP address.
3 - Your computer connects to the website.
4 - The website loads on your screen.

Q5.
Match the term to its meaning:

Correct Answer:IP address,a unique number for a device

a unique number for a device

Correct Answer:DNS,matches website names to numbers

matches website names to numbers

Correct Answer:data,information stored or sent

information stored or sent

Correct Answer:communication,the exchange of information

the exchange of information

Q6.
Which statement best explains how the internet finds the website you want to visit?

The internet uses only the website name to find the page.
The internet uses both the website name and a password.
Correct answer: The internet uses IP addresses, and DNS matches names to those numbers.
The internet uses only pictures and videos.

To help you plan your 6 computing lesson on: Internet addresses, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...