ALEX Learning Activity

Introduce students to bits and binary by using cards with dots representing the number value in each bit. This activity fits well as an introduction to a full lesson for standards 6.21 and 6.22.

This activity was created as a result of the DLCS COS Resource Development Summit.

The learner should:

Identify bits and bytes

Count using binary

Identify how bits and bytes are used to store data

Walk through the slides drawing reference to how the decimal number system works and how this new number system also uses the idea of placeholders. Decimal has a base unit of 10 while binary has a base unit of 2. Ask for volunteers when prompted in the slides.

Students will be guided by the teacher as they explain how bits show the computer whether or not there is data in that position. Each bit is either on(1) or off (0). On means, there is data in that position.

Starting with the first four bits. 8, 4, 2, 1, give volunteers a card with one of the numbers on it.

Volunteers will flip cards at the instruction of the teacher to demonstrate how bits represent data based on their position in a base two number system.

Example: Teacher will say show me the number 6. The students should have their cards where 1 = on and 0 = off.  So the number 6 in binary would look like this: 0110 because the 8 position (the first bit) is off and the 1 position (the last bit) is off. While the 2nd (4) and 3rd (2) bits are on. 4 + 2 = 6.

Walk through the slides to add on more bits until you get a full byte (8 bits)

More volunteers will come up to complete the full byte 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1. Students will then count from one to whatever number you feel is necessary for students to understand how the bits work. We want students to be able to see the pattern involved as the number being counted gets bigger.

You can have them practice representing random numbers from 0 to 255. You can have conversations about the largest number that can be can be represented before requiring a new bit.

Example: The maximum number of 5 bits can represent is 31. In order to get 32, you need to add the 6th bit (32) and the other bits should turn off (0). 32 should look like 100000.

Provide pieces of paper or whiteboards or whatever and call out random numbers and have students write them in binary and show you. Make note of students who may be struggling. If a large set of students are struggling try a different method to communicate the information. You could even shorten the number of bits used by only asking for numbers less than 16. Which would require only 4 bits then slowly build back up one bit at a time.

Give students a set of decimal numbers to convert into binary and consider having them convert binary numbers to decimal numbers. This could be an exit slip and/or Google form so you can easily collect the data in order to address any students who may be struggling with these new concepts and where you may need to refine your instruction. 

Review the youtube video with an example of what you can have students do. I would suggest making eight cards so every bit in a byte is represented. I used large teacher made cards to show how to count in binary using bits. Watch the video, it will clarify what the cards should look like as well as how the activity should be carried out. 

Practice counting in binary and converting decimal numbers to binary. Review these slides and use them to introduce and guide your instruction.

Read over this Count Like a Computer Comic and consider using it in your class by having students practice counting or maybe write the number on each finger that corresponds with the bit in that place value. This is a useful tool to reinforce bits in a byte. Be prepared for numbers 4 and 5. It will look as if students are flipping the bird.

This is an activity that introduces binary. This is not the full scope as most students will need multiple avenues to gain mastery. There are several other options to reinforce and assess student learning.

After you have done several formal assessments of student progress with these concepts you may want to consider a summative assessment. You are welcome to make a copy of this quiz to use as your own assessment tool. Feel free to change it to fit the needs of your students: Binary Quiz