TryEngineering
Data Representation: Millions of Colors
How many colors do you know? The lesson teaches scholars how digital devices use binary and hexadecimal representations to store colors. They learn how millions of colors are available on these devices.
Computer Science Unplugged
Divide and Conquer—Santa’s Dirty Socks
The story "Santa's Dirty Socks" provides learners an example of a search algorithm that uses a divide and conquer system similar to a binary search algorithm. The included questions expand upon the concepts that follow the story.
Curated OER
Zeros and Ones
Students review counting, the number system and the decimal number system. They rotate through three stations, "How RAM Works, "Binary Numbers" and "Binary Letters." They complete three separate worksheets to check for complete...
Code.org
Encoding B and W Images
Imagine drawing with zeros and ones. The third lesson in a unit of 15 introduces the class to creating black and white images. Pairs get together to create an encoding scheme in order to make these images. They move on to a using a...
Code.org
Processing Arrays
Scholars use a playing card activity to help them develop a program to find the minimum value of a list. They learn to use for loops to write code that will process lists.
Computer Science Unplugged
Battleships—Searching Algorithms
How does a computer perform a search in order to find data? The lesson begins with a demonstration on finding one number out of 15. Pairs then play three games of Battleship by using different search techniques. The lesson plan finishes...
Code.org
Encoding Numbers in the Real World
Ah, the numerous number of numbers. Individuals research different ways of encoding numbers. After conducting their initial research, they find classmates who have researched a different article and the pair share information. The...
PBS
Passion for Pixels
Picture this: a fun activity for pupils to discover pixels. After learning about digital signals and pixels, scholars act as senders and receivers of an image. The sender indicates zero or one to tell whether each square in a grid is...
Curated OER
Review of Pointers
In this programming instructional activity, students answer 50 multiple choice and true or false questions on functions and binary numbers.
Code.org
Number Systems
Generating a system of shapes. Groups work together to create a number system using three different shapes as symbols. The groups should come up with the rules that generate all the possible permutations of the three shapes.
Code.org
Practice PT - Encode an Experience
Encoding What I did Last Summer. Class members develop a way to encode a personal experience using a top-down approach to determine components and sub-components of their experience They then pick one portion of the experience and go...
Computer Science Unplugged
Card Flip Magic—Error Detection and Correction
I can find the error in an array of cards? After watching a demonstration class members search for the error is the provided cards. The resource provides a real-life example of using ISBN numbers in error detection and using check sums.
Code.org
Lossy Compression and File Formats
I'm compressed. Groups do a rapid research of different file types to determine what kind of compression the formats use and how it works. They share their information with the rest of the class until everyone has all the information for...
Code.org
The Need for Addressing
You sunk my battleship via the Internet? Groups of three play a modified game of Battleship using the Internet Simulator. Team members determine how to address messages, so each player knows who the message is for, and refine their text...
Curated OER
Electronic Components
Learners review new terminology and computer circuits and the value of a resistor. They complete three experiments, "Resistance Activities," Transistor Activities,"Diode Activities" and enter data, results and their findings on Student...
Curated OER
Metalloids
Students discuss metalloids, their use as semiconductors, and their impact on the computer industry. They work in groups to create a visual timeline showing the evolution of the computer.
Curated OER
The Global Menu: Changing the Rate of the Voice
Students examine the Windows-Eyes control panel by using dialog boxes, pull-down menus, left and right arrow keys, and shortcut keys. They also change the rate of the screen, keyboard, and mouse voices.
Curated OER
Graphics à la "the Web"
Students study the graphic formats for the World Wide Web and download a graphic file. They apply correct HTML format for including pictures in a web page.
Curated OER
Electronic Components
Students describe how resistors affect the flow of electricity. In this electronics lesson students examine transistors and what they do and how they work.