Digital Technologies

We are learning about binary code and thinking like a computer

The new digital technologies curriculum has been implemented this year. It is about giving them an understanding of how digital technologies work. They will learn the skills to become creators of new digital technologies which can help solve modern world challenges. Our teachers and students are on a learning journey together.

There are now two new technological areas:
1) Computational Thinking
2) Designing and Developing Digital Outcomes.

Watch this space as our learners (teachers and students) play with what is possible. We want our students to be creators, not just consumers of technology. 

We challenged Suz to work out a secret code in binary! 

Hour of Code

We are learning the basics of computer science. We did coding using Hour of Code and it was lots of fun. Coding is what makes it possible for us to create computer software, apps and websites. We used Hour of Code to learn how coding works. You have to put blocks together so that objects on the screen move.

Computational Thinking: Binary Numbers

Computational thinking means thinking or solving problems like computer scientists. Computational thinking refers to thought processes required in understanding problems and formulating solutions. Computational thinking involves logic, assessment, patterns, automation, and generalisation.

We are learning about binary numbers. A binary number is expressed in base 2. Binary numbers are made up of 0s and 1s.

110100
Example of a Binary Number

There is no 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 in Binary!

A "bit" is a single binary digit. The number above has 6 bits.

Binary Code

Today we learnt about binary code as part of our "Beautiful Ideas in Maths" Inquiry. 

This is part of our big idea that Maths meets the needs of people. 

Binary code is a system of representing numbers, letters, commands, images and sounds. Amazingly, it uses only two types of information to do this – 1 and 0. Binary code is at the heart of anything that goes on inside a computer.  

We used our knowledge of binary to crack a code. 

Can you solve this puzzle?

Some of us went on to make our own secret messages and we asked our friends to solve these... 

Alex: I am interested in binary code and how you can use it in maths.

Milla: I’m interested in learning more about coding,make some for my friends and work some out

Nick: Does binary have anything to do with what we do everyday?

Jan: I am interested in learning how you write in binary.

Flynn: I learnt how to decode binary numbers and find messages. It links to math by being code and puzzles and numbers. I am interested in how it was invented. I want to find out how people use binary in other ways than computers.

Daisy: I would like to do more of binary coding in maths because it is really fun!

Jessie: I learnt that maths is fun and creative in the world and nature you can find it anywhere.

Student Led Workshops

Our Decimal Workshop
We think this workshop has been good for us because we have been able to share our ideas with others. If someone does not know much about something they could come to watch and they will know more when they leave the workshop.
How it has been effective for us
It is probably effective for us as we have been sharing what we know with others so when they leave they can feel like they have learnt something. It feels really good because you have just taught them something and they are happy. Now, we think that this is a really good method of teaching others.

by Hadley and Theo 

Subtraction

Lately the children have been running math workshops. We have been doing a workshop around subtraction and different strategies. We encouraged students to show their thinking in more than one way. 

By Daisy and Kate

"We ran a workshop about fractions, percentages and decimals"

Binary Code

Flynn: Henry explained very well and he helped me learn.
Ruby: Henry was really clear when he taught us about binary code. I give him a five out of five.
Orla: Today Henry ran a binary number workshop he gave us a worksheet and told us that only 1 counts and not 0 and that you can do it with our her pictures as long as there is a key to understand it. The lesson was fun and I learnt a new thing.
Yasmin: Henry ran a binary number talk it was really fun and Henry was really helpful and he made it fun for us
Neale (Henry's Dad): Henry has been teaching me at home.

Clean Our Ocean Scratch Interface Competition: Message from the ICT Student Council

DEADLINE: End of Term 2

You need to make a game. The theme is ‘Clean Our Ocean’. The aim is to program the diver character to save the fish by collecting the rubbish.

What you need to do:

1. You need to set up a Scratch account to compete in this competition. Ask an adult at home to help you set up an account.
2. Download a template below and add it to your Scratch Account:

Year 3, 4 and 5: Clean Our Ocean Beginner 1.sb2

Year 6: Clean Our Ocean Intermediate 1.sb2

3. Make a game

Now it’s up to you to determine exactly how it works. You have to code the parts to the game, for example:

• You program the diver to move and collect the rubbish (it disappears when touched)
• You program the rubbish to move and catch the fish (the fish disappeared when touched by rubbish)

4. Add some surprises and challenges to the playing of your game, like a title page and instructions, new elements and actions, or different levels.

Send finished entries to Nicola nstevenson@worserbay.school.nz

Here is an example by Thomas J: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/161906126/#editor

Win a Ranger Drone with HD Camera

And the challenge is not the only reward. The winning entry in each category will receive a Ranger Drone with HD Camera for their classroom.

By the ICT Student Council Group

(Thomas, Hunter R, Alex B, Ridley, Jupiter, Alex G)

Binary Numbers

What are Binary Numbers?

Binary numbers are the way computers think. Computers only think by using 1’s and 0’s. imagine that! Only using 1’s and 0’s to think!

Well Binary numbers are simple, binary numbers only use 1’s and 0’s, this is similar to barcodes right? Yes, but the calculations are different.

So if you want to make a 1 then you’ll have to have a code, so here our code will be 00001 and that will = 1.

If you look at the example. The 0 is turned off and the 1 is turned on. We are going to show you some of the possible codes.

There are a lot of codes. (too many it made our brains hurt but that is ok as we know that challenges grow our brains.) Here are 10 of them:

          

00000 =0.

00001 = 1.    00010 = 2.

00011 = 3.    00100 = 4.

00101 = 5.    00110 = 6.

00111 = 7.    01000 = 8.

01001 = 9.    01010 = 10.

If you haven’t already guessed the pattern we’ll tell you. So if you have already seen that the 1 keeps on moving. If you got that you’re right.

By Leola and Alex P

You can find out more: http://csunplugged.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/unplugged-01-binary_numbers.pdf