Objective
An understanding of the architecture of the Web, how it works, and the parts of a web page.
Instructions
Have students read the following articles:
How the Web Works [https://websitebuilders.com/learn-about/how-the-web-works/]
Anatomy of a Web Page [https://websitebuilders.com/learn-about/anatomy-of-a-web-page/]
Discussion
- Describe the various parts of the Web.
- How does the client and server system work?
- What are hypertext and hyperlinks?
- How can you tell which text is a link?
- How do you navigate the Web?
- Why do links change colors? What do the colors mean?
- How do you return to a page you’ve already visited?
- What is the computer language used to create web pages?
- Do web pages ever change?
Activities
- Ask students which websites they like to visit and why. Browse the sites with the class, and then diagram the structure of the site.
Discussion Guide
- Describe the various parts of the Web.
The Web physically consists of your personal computer or mobile device, web browser software, a connection to an Internet service provider, computers called servers that host digital data and routers and switches that direct the flow of information.
- How does the client and server system work?
Your computer is the client; the remote computers that store electronic files are the servers.
- What are hypertext and hyperlinks?
Hypertext and hyperlinks are the “glue” that holds the Web together. This feature allows electronic files on the Web to be linked so you can jump easily between them.
- How can you tell which text is a link?
Text links usually appear in a different color from the rest of the text – typically in blue and often underlined. When you move your cursor over a text link or over a graphic link, the cursor changes from an arrow to a hand.
- How do you navigate the Web?
By entering the address or URL of the website in your web browser, or by clicking links.
- Why do links change colors? What do the colors mean?
Hypertext words that appear in a different color than previously often indicate that you’ve already clicked that link.
- How do you return to a page you’ve already visited?
By clicking the back button, clicking the link that originally brought you there, or from your browser’s history feature.
- What is the computer language used to create web pages?
Web pages are written in a computer language called HTML, short for Hypertext Markup Language.
- Do web pages ever change?
The Web is a dynamic medium. To encourage visitors to return to a site, many web publishers update content frequently. That’s what makes the Web so engaging.
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