Learning Activity Package

communications

Instructor:NameSchool: Red River College

Course: Technology EducationUnit: Communications

Estimated Time: One HourLAP Code: A06

Computer Edition

Introduction

In a world moving at such a fast pace, it is important for us to stay on top of things. This can sometimes prove to be difficult, because there is so much to learn!

Communications is a major factor in what makes the world go ‘round. Almost everything you do revolves around communications in some way.

By working through this LAP, you will better understand how communications systems work. Then you will even be able to make your own system! Good luck, and have fun!

Table of contents

Objectives of this L.A.P

Info - Communication

Info - Morse Code

Info - Binary Code

Info - C.R.T.C.

Design Brief -

Communication Breakdown

Take The Self Test

Self Test Answer Key

Performance Exam

Performance Exam Key

Glossary Of Terms

References / Additional Info

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this LAP, you will be able to:

1) Create your own definition of the term communication without any outside help. It must be realistic.

2) Place at least eight from a list of 10 communications terms in the correct order based on their date of invention.

3) State the decade, and by whom Morse Code was invented.

4) Demonstrate and explain how five bits of binary code works.

5) Define the acronym CRTC and describe it’s main objective in not more than one paragraph.

6) Construct a code in about 30 minutes with your partner that is capable of transmitting instructions to them.

7) Have fun participating in the activity Communication Breakdown according to the design brief.

Please continue

Path Selection

Now that you have read the objectives of this Learning Activity Package (LAP), it should be clear what is expected of you. Use the choices below to determine how you wish to learn.

Path 1: “Are you kidding me, I can do all those things in my sleep! I’m going to page 17 in this LAP so I can take the self test.”

Path 2: “I don’t even know what language those objectives are written in! I better go to the page6 and start reading over the material carefully.”

Path 3: “I know some of that stuff on the previous page, but not all of it, I’m going to refer to the next page so I can read up on only what I don’t know.”

Path 4: “This LAP is dumb, so I am going to refer to page 24 and learn this information from an alternate source.”

Information

Perhaps you have already noticed the red text so far mixed in with the black. A term typed

in red is one you can find in the glossary on page 23 of this Learning Activity Package.

As defined by dictionary.com, the term communication refers to “the exchange of

thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behavior”. By adding an ‘S’ to

that term, you get, “the discipline that studies the principles of transmitting information and the

methods by which it is

delivered (as print or radio or television etc.). All this means is that communicationS is the field that

studies communication. There are many techniques that we use to

communicate.

Learning Activity Package Learning Activity 1

Now that you’ve read the information on the previous page, do the following two activities on a separate, blank sheet of paper.

1) Build your own definition of the term communication. Without showing the term, ask five other people to read the definition and tell you what you’ve defined. If they get it, you must have created a good definition. If not, ask for help perfecting it.

2) Assemble a list of at least 15 ways and things we use to communicate. Place them in order of their origin. Which do you think came first, talking or (talking with) a cell phone?

When you’re done, keep on rollin’!

Information

Morse Code is a method of communication. It involves sending a

message based on long and short marks. These are more commonly

referred to as dots and dashes. The Code was invented by Samuel Morse for

use with the telegraph machine. It was then used

extensively for radio communication starting around 1890. Even though we

rarely use Morse Code as a form of communication today, modifications are

still being made. In fact, the ‘@’ symbol was added to Morse Code in 2004.

Since it’s invention in the mid-1830’s, it has gone through

several changes to improve it’s effectiveness, and is now standardized

throughout the world.

Next!

1922 Chart of the Morse Code Letters and Numerals

Learning Activity Package Learning Activity 2

Now that you’ve read the information on

the previous page, do the following activity on a

separate, blank sheet of paper.

Using the Official International Morse

Code chart on the left, exchange coded messages

with a friend to practice using the code. See how

fast you can write and read messages in Morse

Code. Can you do it without the chart? Start thinking

about inventing your own code. What would you call

it?

Afterward, scope out the next page!

Information

Binary Code is the language which a computer uses to perform

operations. Binary is a type of numbering system, only a little bit different

from the one we know. The number system we use is called the Decimal

system. Starting with 0, we can count up to nine, before having to add a

decimal place. Therefore, we also

refer to this system as Base 10. In the binary number system, there are only

two places: 0 and 1. Once you count to 1, you need to add a decimal place.

Therefore, we can call this

system: Base 2. This is the basis for pretty much every electronic device

you use today. There are other types of numbering systems out there, but

these two are enough for now.

Next!

Information

You already know that each place in a number is called a digit.

The same is true for Binary. It’s called a binary digit, or Bit, for short. You’ve

likely heard this term before.

Examine the following charts carefully. The chart on the left is

the decimal numbering system which you use everyday. The binary system

is on the right. You need to know at least five bits of this system, four are

shown.

All done here!

Learning Activity Package Learning Activity 3

Now that you’ve read the information on the previous page, do the following activity on a separate, blank sheet of paper.

Create a chart of binary numbers that go up to 31. This will be five binary digits, or five bits. After you’ve completed this list, practice using the numbers (up to nine) by writing down things like your phone number, birthday, house number and locker combo in binary. Jot down as many numerical terms as you can, to get extra practice. For example, Mr. Gavin typed this LAP when he was 22 years old. Twenty-two in binary is written as: 10110

When you’re done, continue reading

Information

The CRTC is the regulatory body responsible for broadcasting here

in Canada. It was

established in 1968. In the United States, this body is referred to as the FCC

(Federal

Communications Commission).

CRTC is an acronym for Canadian

Radio-television and Telecommunications

Commission. They supervise and regulate every aspect of the Canadian

broadcasting system, including telecommunications companies like MTS,

Rogers and Telus. Additionally, they monitor your favourite radio station for

appropriateness, and Canadian content. Don’t forget, radio stations here in

Canada are required by law to play 35% Canadian Content between 6 am and

6 pm (Mon– Fri).

Carry on!

Learning Activity Package Learning Activity 4

Now that you’ve read the information on the previous page, do the following activity on a separate, blank sheet of paper.

1) Compose a list of ten of your all time, favourite tunes. Do this step before moving onto the next.

2) Using an internet search engine or other source of information, determine what percentage of your favourite songs are Canadian.

Now it’s time for some real fun!

Intro to self test

You may be ready for the self test. Read the following to determine your next path choice.

Path 1: “Are you kidding me, I’m gonna kill this test! I’ll jump to the next page so I can take the self test and see how well I know the objectives outlined on page 3.”

Path 2: “I’m still having difficulty figuring out certain topics. I will jump to page 4 and chose another path to learn the rest of this stuff.” (as outlined on page 3)

self testWhen’s the last time you actually had fun doing a test!

When you’re done go to the next page.

Down

Across

1 We could also refer to the binary system as ____2.

2 Language which computers use to perform operations

3 Hip new way of communicating with your cell phone

5 Long and short marks are more commonly referred to as dots and _____.

6 One of the earliest forms of communication

7 The exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behavior

8 Red text in this lap represents words which are found in the _____.

13 Acronym for the regulatory body of Canadian broadcasting

2 The name of the awesome activity for this topic is called Communication _______.

4 Invented in the mid-1830's

9 This gentleman invented Morse code

10 The discipline that studies the principles of transmitting information and the methods by which it is delivered

11 Combination of the words binary digit

12 A special code was invented for use with this machine

14 The number system we use

15 Radio stations are required to play 35% Canadian ______.

Print this page and complete

Evaluation ofSelf test

You should have got 10 or more questions correct on the previous self test. Each answer was worth one mark.

Path 1: “Darn right, I killed that test! I’ll click to the next page so I can take the performance exam and finish this Learning Activity Package.

Path 2: “Aw man, that test was bogus! I didn't even get at least 10 right. I will use another path to learn the rest of this stuff.” Page 4.

Performance exam

1)Who invented Morse Code? _________________________.

2)The word bit is a combination of the words _________ & _______.

3)Define the term communication.

____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________.

4)Morse code was invented in the mid- __________.

5)CRTC stands for __________ ___________-____________ &

______________ ____________.

6)Describe the CRTC’s objective.

____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________.

7)Number the following terms in order of their invention/use.

___Traffic lights ___Wireless Internet ___Telephone

___Talking ___Telegraph ___Cell Phone

___Television ___E-mail ___Radio waves

___Text messaging (SMS)

Print this page and complete

Term Definition / Source For More Info

Acronym A word formed from the first letters of a series of other words as in CRTC or parts of a series of words as in Bit

Base 10 Another term for the decimal numeral system

Base 2 Another term for the binary numeral system—a number system based on units of 2

Binary code The language that a computer uses to perform operations

Bit An acronym formed from the words Binary and Digit

Canadian Content

Four elements, referred to as the MAPL system, are used to determine whether or not a song qualifies as Canadian.

(http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/INFO_SHT/G11.htm)

Cat-5 cable Short for Category 5. Type of cabling used in a computer network

Communication the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behavior

Communicationsthe discipline that studies the principles of transmitting information and the methods by which it is

delivered (as print or radio or television etc.).

CRTC Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission

Decimal system A number system based on units of 10Webpics\animation30.gifDigit The spot occupied by a number

FCC Federal Communications Commission (USA)

Five Bit Communicator Device created to Communication Breakdown activity

Internet Search Engine Website used to seek out information on the internet, such as google.ca, yahoo.ca or search.sympatico.msn.ca

Morse Code Morse code is a method for transmitting information, using standardized sequences of short and long marks

MTS Manitoba Telecom Services (mts.mb.ca)

Rogers Rogers Communications (rogers.com)

Samuel Morse Inventor of Morse Code

Telegraph machine A communication device used to transmit and receive simple electric impulses, called telegrams

Telus Canadian communications provider (telus.com)

References

The following websites will assist you in achieving the objectives of this LAP.

A great definition of communication & communications: http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=communications

Learn everything there is to know about Morse Code:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morse_code

Become a binary expert:http://nickciske.com/tools/binary.phphttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/B/binary.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_numeral_system

The CRTC’s Official Fan Site:http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/welcome.htm

Build your own crossword puzzles:http://www.varietygames.com/CW/

Mr. Gavin’s Recommended Ultimate Resources:http://www.google.cahttp://www.dictionary.comhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Pagehttp://ca.briefcase.yahoo.com