Binary is extremely important in the world of computers. The majority of computers today store all sorts of information in binary form. This lesson helps demonstrate how it is possible to take something from real life and translate it into a series of ons and offs. In this lesson students will learn how information is represented in a way such that a computer can interpret and store it. | We started by brainstorming different ways you can represent 2 states. Here are some ideas:
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We talked about how if you had only 1 digit (or bit), you could only represent two things. But if you had 8 bits (or a byte) you could represent a lot more codes - such as the alphabet. This is a complex topic and the kids did not fully understand it. But it was a good introduction and they all understand the basic concept that computers communicate in binary. And how to code and decode messages by using 8 bits each representing 1 of 2 states. Not bad for 2nd grade. | The students used the binary alphabet to decode the following message: Then we made binary bracelets of our initials. Here's an example of mine: |