Computing · Year 5 · Systems and Search · Autumn Term

Websites and Hyperlinks

Understanding that information is stored on websites and how links help us navigate between them.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• KS2: Computing - Information Technology

About This Topic

Year 5 students explore the fundamental concept of websites as digital locations where information is stored and presented. They learn that websites are collections of interconnected pages, much like a book with chapters, and can contain a variety of content including text, images, videos, and interactive elements. This unit focuses on understanding the purpose of different websites, from educational resources and news portals to entertainment platforms and online shops. Students will begin to grasp that the internet is a vast network of these websites, each with its own unique address.

The core of this topic lies in understanding hyperlinks, the invisible pathways that allow users to navigate between different web pages and even entirely different websites. Students will learn that clicking on a hyperlink, often indicated by blue, underlined text or an image, initiates a request to display the linked content. This process is crucial for effective information retrieval and exploration online. Developing this understanding helps students become more confident and independent digital citizens, capable of finding and accessing information efficiently and safely.

Active learning is particularly beneficial for this topic as it moves beyond passive reception of information. Having students actively design simple website structures or create their own hyperlinked documents allows them to internalize the concepts of navigation and information organization in a practical, hands-on manner.

Key Questions

1. Explain what a website is and what kind of information it can hold.
2. Describe how clicking on a link helps you move from one page to another.
3. Identify different types of websites you might use for school or fun.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

All text on a webpage is a link.

What to Teach Instead

Students often click on any text expecting it to be a link. Active exploration, where they are tasked with identifying clickable elements versus static text, helps them recognize visual cues like color and underlining, and understand that not all text serves as a hyperlink.

Common Misconception

Websites are just single pages of information.

What to Teach Instead

Some students may not grasp that a website is a collection of multiple, interconnected pages. Designing a simple website map or creating a hyperlinked document visually demonstrates how pages relate to one another, reinforcing the idea of a structured, multi-page entity.

Active Learning Ideas

Format Name: Design a School Website Map

Students work in small groups to brainstorm and sketch a sitemap for a fictional school website. They must identify key sections (e.g., About Us, Admissions, Curriculum, News) and decide which pages should link to each other, drawing arrows to represent hyperlinks.

45 min·Small Groups

Format Name: Build a Hyperlinked Story

Using a simple word processor or presentation software, students create a short story where different choices lead to different narrative paths. They use hyperlinks to connect text boxes or slides, allowing readers to navigate through the story based on their decisions.

60 min·Individual

Format Name: Website Scavenger Hunt

Provide students with a list of questions that require them to find specific information on pre-selected, age-appropriate websites. They must use hyperlinks to navigate between pages and locate the answers, documenting their journey and the links they used.

40 min·Pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a website and a webpage?

A website is like a book, containing many related pages. A webpage is a single page within that website, like a chapter in a book. Hyperlinks are the tools that allow us to move between these different pages, both within the same website and to entirely different websites.

How do hyperlinks work?

Hyperlinks are special codes embedded in a webpage that tell the browser to go to another location when clicked. This location can be another page on the same website, a page on a different website, or even a specific file like a document or image.

What are some examples of different types of websites?

Websites serve many purposes. Examples include news websites for current events, educational websites for learning, social media sites for connecting with others, e-commerce sites for shopping, and entertainment sites for games or videos.

How can hands-on activities improve understanding of websites and hyperlinks?

Creating a visual sitemap or building a simple hyperlinked story allows students to actively construct their understanding. This practical application makes abstract concepts concrete, helping them internalize how information is organized and navigated online, rather than just passively observing.