Binary codes are an essential element of today’s technological world, and teaching students about them is a critical part of preparing them for the future. Despite binary codes being fundamental, many students are often confused about how they work, why they are important, and how to use them.
A binary code is a computer language that uses two digits: ‘0’ and ‘1’. These digits, also known as bits, represent the two states of a switch: on and off. Every piece of data on your computer is stored and communicated in binary using these two digits, which makes understanding binary essential to computer programming and communication.
To teach students about binary codes, it’s best to start by explaining the binary number system. Unlike the decimal system, which uses ten digits (0-9), the binary system uses only two digits- 0 and 1, referred to as binary digits or bits. The binary system works by assigning a value to each position in a string of digits (e.g., 0, 1, 10, 11, 100, 101, 110, 111) with each position having twice the value of the last.
After explaining the binary number system, it’s time to move to binary code. You can demonstrate the concept by converting simple text, such as ‘hello,’ into binary using an online binary converter. You can then use these converted codes to show how sending and storing data in binary format is more efficient, takes up less space, and is easier to transmit than sending the same data in a different format.
One fun way to get students engaged in learning binary is by using binary code puzzles. These puzzles require students to translate binary codes into letters to reveal a secret message. This hands-on activity will help students understand how binary codes and characters relate to each other and challenge them to apply their knowledge in a practical situation.
