ALEX Classroom Resource

  

Sound Representation / Modems Unplugged

  Classroom Resource Information  

Title:

Sound Representation / Modems Unplugged

URL:

https://classic.csunplugged.org/modems-unplugged-2/

Content Source:

Other
CS Unplugged
Type: Learning Activity

Overview:

This activity involves listening to songs and finding hidden messages based on the same principle as a modem.

The binary number activity briefly mentions how text could be coded using sound — high and low beeps represent binary digits, which in turn can be decoded to numbers that represent the letters of the alphabet.

All data on computers is stored and transmitted using the binary number system.  When the binary digits need to be sent over phone lines which used to be standard in home internet connections, the digits are converted to sound and decoded at the other end, using a modem. This activity uses an audio coding similar to that used by a modem, but the sounds are recorded as songs, which students can decode.

Content Standard(s):
Digital Literacy and Computer Science
DLIT (2018)
Grade: 6
20) Identify data transferring protocols, visualization, and the purpose of data and methods of storage.

Examples: Using an online collection tool or form to collect data that is then stored in a spreadsheet or database.

Unpacked Content
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students will:
  • identify common data transferring protocols.
  • identify why particular protocols are used for various methods of storage and visualization.
Teacher Vocabulary:
  • transfer protocols
  • visualization
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • different transferring protocols are used for specific purposes depending on the data and storage methods.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • differentiate basic data transferring protocols from another and various methods of storing data.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • data is compressed and stored in various transferring protocols depending on the purpose.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science
DLIT (2018)
Grade: 6
21) Identify varying data structures/systems and methods of classification, including decimal and binary.

Examples: Difference between a bit and a byte, bit representation, pixels.

Unpacked Content
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students will:
  • recognize various data structures and methods of classification such as binary and decimal.
Teacher Vocabulary:
  • data structures
  • decimal
  • binary
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • how to recognize a binary number system including bits and bytes.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • identify how binary can be used for bit representation in pixels.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • there are several data structures and methods for classification.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science
DLIT (2018)
Grade: 8
22) Encrypt and decrypt various data.

Example: Create and decipher a message sent in a secret code.

Unpacked Content
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students will:
  • encrypt data to include text or files.
  • decrypt data to include text or files.
Teacher Vocabulary:
  • encrypt
  • decrypt
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • cyphers can be used to encrypt and then decrypt a message.
  • that computers use complicated cyphers to keep data safe when being transmitted electronically.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • either physically or digitally encrypt and decrypt data.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • some data needs to be protected as it is transmitted digitally.
Tags: binary, compression, data, decode, modem, sound
License Type: Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike
For full descriptions of license types and a guide to usage, visit :
https://creativecommons.org/licenses
Accessibility
Comments
  This resource provided by:  
Author: Aimee Bates
Alabama State Department of Education