Flow of Activities
Activity Computers use binary
Why do digital systems need to convert sound, text, images and numbers to process them?
Australian Curriculum Alignment
What's this about?
All software, music, documents and any other information that is processed by a computer is stored using binary.
Learning tasks
- Explore audio, video, text and image files to examine standard encoding formats such as MP3 for audio files, ASCII or Unicode for text, JPEG for images and MOV, AVI and WMV for video.
- Make a chart of the different formats. Share ideas and decide on common file types and ones with which students are familiar. Explain that all these files use the binary system of encoding.
- Provide resources to explore the binary number system with the aim of finding interesting information about the binary system and to raise questions for inquiry. As students explore the fundamentals of the binary system, challenge them to find out and share three things they have learned and any questions that arise.
- Write a list about what the class knows about binary. Then view an informative video about binary numbers. Update the list with revisions and new ideas.
Supporting Resources
Binary and data representation: Six learner guides and 11 class clips
This learner guide has background information presented
visually in a clear and concise way.
What are binary numbers?
This video provides background information on the binary system and how computers encode using binary.
Assessment
Suggested approaches may include
- Refer to the three things they have learned
Activity The binary system uses 0s and 1s
How does the binary system work?
Australian Curriculum Alignment
- Representation of data (ACTDIK015)
What's this about?
Computer data is represented with binary, a number system that uses 0s and 1s. Binary digits can be grouped together into bytes (8 bits).
The binary system is based on the power of 2, the progression being 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, etc. In contrast, the base 10 system progresses by multiples of 10: 1, 10, 100, etc.
Learning tasks
- Students explore the binary number system. Brainstorm to find out what students already know about binary. View the video ‘What are binary numbers?’
- Link with Mathematics and compare the base 10 system with base 2.
- Students explain what a binary number is, how to read it and identify the corresponding decimal number. Binary cards (cards with a dot for each 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 etc) enable us to see the connection between binary digits and the corresponding decimal number when placed in sequence.
- Students find out how to convert binary to decimal numbers. Use binary numbers in place of decimal numbers; for example, represent a calendar with months as binary numbers or a date of birth in binary.
- Use a programming board such as the B4 Primary School Starter Kit to experiment with representing binary, counting in binary and adding binary numbers. Alternatively use the BBC micro:bit or similar microcontroller to integrate data representation of binary numbers and programming.
Supporting Resources
Introduction to binary
This lesson idea can be used to introduce the binary number system using unplugged activities and online binary cards.
CS Unplugged: Binary numbers
Explore binary numbers.
Online binary cards
These online binary cards show binary numbers as dots.
Creating my own spreadsheet to convert binary to decimal
Create a spreadsheet that converts a binary number to a decimal
number.
B4 Primary School Starter Kit
The B4 Primary School Starter Kit consists of 6 computing modules that represent core functions of a computer, such as binary counting, variables, adding, and graphics.
Binary
The B4 Primary School Starter Kit consists of 6 computing modules that represent core functions of a computer, such as binary counting, variables, adding, and graphics.
Assessment
Suggested approaches may include
- Adapted worksheet with binary numbers to be matched with a decimal number
- Explain using Think Aloud
Assessment Resources
Activity Characters as binary
How are text characters represented?
Australian Curriculum Alignment
What's this about?
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) is a 7-bit character set containing 128 characters. The upper and lower case English letters from A to Z are represented by binary numbers (eg 01100001 is a, and 01000001 is A). ASCII is only used for the English language.
Learning tasks
- Students can use a basic binary character table to encode and decode messages.
Supporting Resources
Assessment
Suggested approaches may include
- Artefact analysis: Accuracy of message written in binary using ASCII encoding
Activity Standards of encoding characters
What are standards of encoding characters?
Australian Curriculum Alignment
What's this about?
Hexadecimal is a shortcut for representing binary. ASCII and Unicode are important character sets that are used as standard.
Learning tasks
- Students should be aware of other standards of encoding characters.
- Students create their own infographic about how text and numbers are encoded using patterns of binary digits. Provide a tool to create an infographic such as Canva or Piktochart.
Supporting Resources
Hexadecimal and character sets
Explore ASCII and Unicode using hexadecimal and character sets.
Piktochart
Piktochart is a useful, free infographic creator.
Assessment
Suggested approaches may include
- Artefact: Infographic