CS Unplugged: Error Detection
Use the Error Detection offline activity to explore how a computer uses parity error checking to find errors. A parity bit is a single bit added to binary data. This task uses a 'magic trick' to engage learners and introduce the idea of adding a parity bit to data. It relies on the parity bit indicating whether a column of data is an odd or even value. The activity also shows real examples of this error detection technique using a ten-digit code ISBN (International Standard Book Number) and Bar code. Support your teaching and learning with video clips and other related resources.
Additional details
| Year band(s) | 7-8 |
|---|---|
| Format | Web page |
| Core and overarching concepts | Digital systems |
| Australian Curriculum Digital Technologies code(s) |
AC9TDI8K01
Explain how hardware specifications affect performance and select appropriate hardware for particular tasks and workloads
AC9TDI8K02
Investigate how data is transmitted and secured in wired and wireless networks including the internet
AC9TDI8P02
Analyse and visualise data using a range of software, including spreadsheets and databases, to draw conclusions and make predictions by identifying trends |
| Keywords | Communication, Written calculations, Binary numbers, Parity bit, Error detection, Checksum |
| Organisation | University of Canterbury, New Zealand |
| Copyright | Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
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