New
New
Year 8

Representing information

I can explain how representations are used to store, communicate and process information.

New
New
Year 8

Representing information

I can explain how representations are used to store, communicate and process information.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. There are many types of representations, such as text, numbers, images, sound and symbols.
  2. Representations help us store, share and work with information.
  3. Sequences of 0s and 1s are used on computers to represent all types of information.
  4. Different representations may be suitable for different situations.

Keywords

  • Representation - the form in which data is stored, processed and transmitted by a computer system

  • Symbol - simply something that stands for something else

Common misconception

Data is processed, organised and structured information that provides context and meaning.

Information is processed, organised and structured data that provides context and meaning. Data is facts and figures in their raw form.


To help you plan your year 8 computing lesson on: Representing information, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Based on th examples in the lesson, see if pupils can connect their learning by thinking of more examples of methods of communication.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a spreadsheet commonly used for in school projects?

playing games
drawing pictures
Correct answer: recording and organising data
listening to music

Q2.
When collecting data for a project, what is it important to do?

guess the answers
only use your favourite numbers
change the results to what you want
Correct answer: record information accurately

Q3.
What is the process called when you arrange data in order, such as from smallest to largest or alphabetically, in a spreadsheet?

Correct Answer: Sort, Sorting

Q4.
Match each example to the correct tool or process:

Correct Answer:collecting data,writing down test scores in a table

writing down test scores in a table

Correct Answer:analysing data,using a graph to spot a trend

using a graph to spot a trend

Correct Answer:recommendation service,subscription service suggesting a new show

subscription service suggesting a new show

Correct Answer:using a spreadsheet,sorting numbers from smallest to largest in a spreadsheet

sorting numbers from smallest to largest in a spreadsheet

Q5.
Which of these is an example of using data to make a decision?

choosing a random number
guessing what to do next
forgetting your homework
Correct answer: picking the most popular book in your class to read next

Q6.
Put these actions in order for how a recommendation service might work:

1 - collect data about what you watch or listen to
2 - analyse your preferences
3 - suggest new shows or music
4 - update recommendations as you use the service

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is an example of a representation used by computers?

text
numbers
images
Correct answer: all of the above

Q2.
What do sequences of 0s and 1s represent on a computer?

only numbers
only text
only images
Correct answer: all types of information

Q3.
What is the name for the system of 0s and 1s that computers use to represent all types of information?

Correct Answer: Binary

Q4.
Match each keyword to its meaning:

Correct Answer:representation,the form in which data is stored, processed or transmitted

the form in which data is stored, processed or transmitted

Correct Answer:symbol,something that stands for something else

something that stands for something else

Correct Answer:information,data that has been organised and given context

data that has been organised and given context

Correct Answer:data,raw facts and figures, not yet given meaning

raw facts and figures, not yet given meaning

Q5.
Put these steps in order for turning data into information:

1 - collect raw data
2 - organise and process the data
3 - add context and meaning
4 - use the information to make decisions

Q6.
What is the main reason for using symbols in digital communication?

they are easy to draw
they are more colourful
Correct answer: they can quickly convey meaning without words
they take up more space