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
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