Data representation: text and numbers
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Why this why now
At this stage, pupils are ready to move beyond simply using technology to understanding how it works at its core. Binary underpins everything a computer does, from processing text and numbers to storing data. By comparing it with the familiar decimal system, pupils can begin to see how computers represent information differently from humans. Learning about binary now gives pupils the insight to make sense of everyday technology, such as file sizes measured in kilobytes, megabytes and gigabytes, helping them become more informed and confident users of digital systems.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Pupils recognise that data represents facts and objects.
- Pupils can identify different formats of data.
- Pupils recognise that instructions in computer systems are represented in binary.
- Pupils can explain how simple logic circuits work.
Threads
Why this why now
At this stage, pupils are ready to move beyond simply using technology to understanding how it works at its core. Binary underpins everything a computer does, from processing text and numbers to storing data. By comparing it with the familiar decimal system, pupils can begin to see how computers represent information differently from humans. Learning about binary now gives pupils the insight to make sense of everyday technology, such as file sizes measured in kilobytes, megabytes and gigabytes, helping them become more informed and confident users of digital systems.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Pupils recognise that data represents facts and objects.
- Pupils can identify different formats of data.
- Pupils recognise that instructions in computer systems are represented in binary.
- Pupils can explain how simple logic circuits work.
Data representation: text and numbers
In this unit pupils will be introduced to binary digits and how they can be used to represent text and numbers. Pupils will perform conversions between binary and decimal numbers and how binary can be used to represent characters. They will explore how cryptography can be used to protect data.
6 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Data representation: text and numbers unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our secondary computing curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for secondary computing programmes.