Binary Code Lesson Plan

Jonathan Jacobs

YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter High School

State/City Standards

• 2.1.8A Represent and use numbers in equivalent forms.

• 2.1.8B Apply number theory concepts to rename a number quantity.

• 2.2.11B Develop and use computation concepts and operations in a real world application.

Main Concepts

• The unit I designed creates a direct linkage between math and science.  At the end of this unit the students will be able to:

• 1.  Understand binary code as a numbering system, Show understanding through direct application of the binary code numbering system.

• 2.  Understand how digital communication systems work, from transmitter to receiver.  Students will learn binary code is the language which wireless communication systems use to transmit data.

Main Concepts Cont’d

• 3.  Be able to identify and explain applications of wave components, and basic wave terminology.. Crest, trough, amplitude, frequency, hertz, wavelength,  modulation, and power.

• 4.  Be able to graph strings of binary code numbers, and see them as waves.

• 5.  Identify and show through a poster project, areas in which students encounter this system in everyday life.

Lesson Overview

• Day One: Introduce students to binary code system, and have students convert simple numbers to binary code.

• Day 2: Students continue to convert simple numbers in BC, but also perform addition, subtraction problems in binary code <reinforces place value>.

• Day 3: Students will be introduced to wireless communications, and will see the real world application of the BC system in data transmission.

Demonstrational Example:

Activity

• After students have demonstrated mastery of BC system, the following activity will take place to enhance knowledge of wireless communication systems..

• Students will simulate a signal being sent, from transmitter to receiver, and be able to explain each step of the process.

Game:

• Students will be broken down into small groups, and will be placed on opposite sides of the room.

• One side of the room will be the receivers, and the other side will be the transmitters.

• Transmitters will create a secret message, and decode it into BC system. Message must be a question only.

Game

• Once message is formatted into BC system, the transmitter will race it down the room to the next group of people, called the demodulaters. They will attempt to decipher the message as quickly as possible. When the have completed the message, they will race the message to the receiver.

Game

• When the translated questions reaches the receivers, they will answer it in binary code, and send the response back to complete one complete transmission.

• The team who does this the quickest, will win!

References

http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/teachers/lessons/slap/slap.html

http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/teachers/lessons/slap/slap_main.html