The binary number system plays a central role in how information of all kinds is stored on computers. Understanding binary can lift a lot of the mystery from computers, because at a fundamental level they're really just machines for flipping binary digits on and off.
There are several activities on binary numbers in this document, all simple enough that they can be used to teach the binary system to anyone who can count! Generally children learn the binary system very quickly using this approach, but we find that many adults are also excited when they finally understand what bits and bytes really are.
Mr Idosaka shows how magnetic binary number cards can be used on a whiteboard.
Tim demonstrates how binary numbers are stored. This is based on the first activity in the "Unplugged" book, but each child holds one of the bits, which makes for much more exciting numbers.
Extension
Consider making a string of beads that code a message in binary - RAFT have a worksheet about this.
The Mathmaniacs web site has a similar activity (lesson 1). It includes a Binary Piano activity which is another great aid for learning binary numbers. They also have a magic trick that can be performed with binary numbers.
Binary numbers are a valuable part of any elementary mathematics program. These activities help rehearse and reinforce addition and number partitioning skills, but they can also provide insights into more abstract concepts such as numbers in different bases.
In a technology curriculum, binary numbers introduce symbolic representation of information.
As students do the finger-counting exercises, they will find that certain numbers make gestures! This can provoke some interesting reflection on why it's OK to make those gestures when you're counting, but not in other contexts.
Generalise that whole numbers can be partitioned in many ways.
Find rules for the next member in a sequential pattern.
Mathematics Level 3: Patterns and relationships
Generalise the properties of addition and subtraction with whole numbers.
Connect members of sequential patterns with their ordinal position and use tables, graphs, and diagrams to find relationships between successive elements of number and spatial patterns.
Technology Level 3: Technological systems
Understand that technological systems are represented by symbolic language tools and understand the role played by the black box in technological systems.
Computer Science Unplugged is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License
