The Art of Computational Thinking…Binary Code Introduction to Coding The Art of Computational Thinking…Binary Code

The Art of Computer Science… …Often starts with a problem that needs to be solved

Computer Scientists aren’t just programmers… They are: Creative problem solvers, Psychologists Artists, Authors, and yes, even actual Scientists They are needed in: Biology, video gaming, schools, health care, public service, and anywhere that innovation is involved!

Vocabulary 1. Automate - To make something happen automatically (without help from people) 2. Computer Science – The art of blending human ideas and digital tools to increase problem solving power 3. Computer Scientist – A person who is skilled at modifying problems for digital solutions

Vocabulary (continued) Data – Information, including facts, samples, names, and numbers Environment – The world we live in Interface – The way something allows you to connect with it Programming – Writing instructions for a digital tool Simulation – Pretending to be (a stand-in for) the real thing

Discussion Questions Can you think of a problem that a computer scientist could solve? Have you ever seen a computer simulation before? Describe it. What other jobs could benefit from the help of computer science? Are there any jobs that you can think of where understanding computers would not be useful? Do you think there will be more or fewer of those in 5 years?

Discussion Questions (continued) Technology vs. Physical Movement: What happens to your muscles when you stop using them? Your eyes have muscles, too. How do you think you could get them extra exercise? Technology vs. Environment: What other electricity do you use that you could try to save? Is there anything else you could recycle to help offset paper use?

Discussion Questions (continued) Technology vs. Philanthropy How would you help the world if you were a computer scientist? Who is the first person that you are going to teach this to once you learn it?

Binary Codes A binary code is a system for encoding data made up of 0’s and 1’s Examples Morse code (dash = 1, dot = 0) Braille (raised bump = 1, flat surface = 0) Movie ratings (thumbs up = 1, thumbs down = 0)

Binary Codes are Everywhere CD, MP3, and DVD players, digital TV, cell phones, the Internet, space probes, etc. all represent data as strings of 0’s and 1’s rather than digits 0-9 and letters A-Z Whenever information needs to be digitally transmitted from one location to another, a binary code is used

Decimal System vs. Binary System The Decimal System is a “Base 10 System”. That simply means it uses 10 symbols (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) The Binary System is a “Base 2 System”. It only uses 2 symbols (0 and 1)

Binary in Computing Only 2 symbols are necessary because computers/electronics recognize only “ON” (represented by “1”) and “OFF” (represented by “0”) This 2 symbol system is crucial to computers because it increases speed, memory, and utilization These binary digits (“0” and “1”) are known as “bits”

Understanding Binary For example, in the Decimal System, with the number 150 The “ones” column is represented by 0 The “tens” column is represented by 5 The “hundredths” column is represented by 1 As we go from right to left, the columns represent increasing powers of 10. Ones to tens, tens to hundredths, etc.

Understanding Binary However, the Binary Number System, from right to left increases in powers of 2 (128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1) To easily determine the value of each column we can deduce what the number is by whether there is a “1” (yes to that value) or “0” (none of that value) in the column

Binary Numbers Let’s take the binary number: 10 The column on the far right is the “1” column and the “0” indicates no value present. The column on the left is the “2” column and the “1” means there is a value of “2” present. So, “10” in binary (remember this reads as “1” and “0”, not “ten”) = “2” in the decimal system.

Binary Numbers Now let’s watch a brief video to better understand how to convert numbers from binary to decimal and decimal to binary. Binary Numbers in 60 seconds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdFmSlFojIw Let’s Practice!

Converting Binary Code to Text We are going to simulate a computer and “store” letters of the alphabet as binary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCQSIub_g7M “Decoder” Activity Binary Decoder Key, Graph Paper Encode first name and last initial Skip a line Encode a random minimum six letter word Exchange and decode classmate’s word 4 x 4 square with 1st and last initial in bit value

Challenge Question: How many squares will you need to store your first, middle, and last names altogether?

Answer to Challenge My name: Christine Diane Claxton 21 (letters) x 8 (bits per character) = 168 squares needed