Data can be represented in many ways. Written language was one of the first ways that meaning has been represented symbolically. The following links are useful in showing students that the same information can be stored and retrieved, or represented in different ways each being designed and used to meet the needs of the context.
Morse Code, semaphore and braille are all forms of code that are still used today. This site Secret Codes for Cubs and Scouts give you a basic sample of well known codes and ciphers and some less known examples. Students can crack the provided codes, represent their names in code or send messages to other class members.
Just had to add a bit of rhythm with this awesome Morse Code Music Generator from Phil Tulga, students can really hear the codes and then recreate the code using body percussion or other physical (eraser for dots and pencils for dashes) or graphic representations (pictures of fruit, apples and bananas).
Computer Science Unplugged
Click on the image above for more activities from csunplugged.org.
Computer Science Unplugged has been recommended by countless blogs and experts in the field of technology education. It provides an impressive number of videos and activities with free pdf downloads of individual lesson plans or a book of the twelve most used, available in 10 different languages. The activities can be adapted for use with ages from 5 years all the way to adult. They are directly linked to outcomes within the English curriculum but are easily aligned to the Australian curriculum.
H.O.T. Question It.
- Test the effectiveness of several coding systems, which ones are the most effective for encrypting messages?
- Generate a list of common technologies that use various forms of code.
- Can coding be described as a language? – Debate.
Year 3 – 4
- Recognise different types of data and explore how the same data can be represented in different ways (ACTDIK008)
Year 5 – 6
- Investigate how digital systems use whole numbers as a basis for representing all types of data (ACTDIK015)
Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA] (2014). Digital Technologies: Foundation to Year 10 curriculum. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/technologies/digital-technologies/Curriculum/F-10
H.O.T. Topics for the Australian Curriculum 