Scribd
Upload
111 views3 pages

U1l02 Activity - Binary Message Devices

The document describes an activity where students work in pairs to build devices using classroom supplies to send binary or multi-level messages to their partner without speaking or writing. They are given increasing challenges to send messages with more response options. For the first challenge, students create a simple two-response device. For later challenges, they modify their devices or methods to send messages with up to 16 or more possible responses, such as using light signals or cup movements in combination. At the end, students present their systems to the class.

Uploaded by

api-372568750
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
111 views3 pages

U1l02 Activity - Binary Message Devices

The document describes an activity where students work in pairs to build devices using classroom supplies to send binary or multi-level messages to their partner without speaking or writing. They are given increasing challenges to send messages with more response options. For the first challenge, students create a simple two-response device. For later challenges, they modify their devices or methods to send messages with up to 16 or more possible responses, such as using light signals or cup movements in combination. At the end, students present their systems to the class.

Uploaded by

api-372568750
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Unit 1 Lesson 2

Name(s) Richard Hanna Sara Kaufman Period 3 Date 9-10-19


 

Activity Guide - Binary Message Devices 

Scenario: ​You are going to build a device out of classroom supplies to send information to a classmate
on the other side of the room. There are some basic rules and constraints:
● Stay on your side. ​You may not walk to the other side of the room.
● No language. ​That means no writing or talking to communicate.
● No projectiles!

Challenge 1: Simple Binary Message (state A or B)


Time Limit: 5 mins
● Choose the ​binary question​ your device will be used to answer.
● Create a device​ using classroom items to send a simple binary message - state A or B.
● Try to make it fail-proof. ​Consider a few obstacles. Would it still work if…
○ There was something in between you and your partner?
○ You couldn’t see your partner?
○ You were in a loud room?
○ Your partner wasn’t paying attention?

Record how to use your device to send a state A / B in the table below

Your Binary Question: Do you prefer fruits or vegetables?

Message How to send with your device

​A:
Vegetables   Light off  
B:​ Fruits   Light on 
Check-in with the Teacher

● Demonstrate the messaging systems


● Record this information​ ​about your device in your journal/blog using a table similar to the example
above.
● Your teacher may use the ​rubric​ t​ o assess your device.

1
Challenge 2: Complex Messages (4 possible messages)
Time Limit: 5 mins
Not all questions have only two possible answers. Your new ​challenge is to invent a way​ to use your
device to send an answer to a question that has ​4 possible answers! ​Think about these things:

● Should you modify your device?


● Should you use it in a different way?
● Should you make a new device entirely?

You’ve got 5 minutes! GO!


After you’ve done some testing, make a note below about how to use your device to send 4 possible
messages. (enough that another person could pick up your device and use it).
Question: Are you a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior?
Message How to send with your device

Freshman Light off; spider cup

Sophomore Light on; spider cup

Junior Light off; skull cup bell

Senior Light on; skull cup bell

Challenge 3: Complex Messages (8 possible messages)


Time Limit: 5 mins
What if you wanted to ask an even more complex question with ​8 possible answers?

Just as before update your device and test it out. Record how to use your device in the table below.
Question: Do you prefer red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, or white?
Message How to send with your device

red Purple cup light off

orange Purple cup light on

yellow Yellow cup light off

green Yellow cup light on

blue Black cup light off and bells

purple Black cup light on and bells

black Purple spider cup light on

white Purple spider cup light off

2
Challenge 4: Complex Messages (16 - n possible messages)
Time Limit: 5 mins
Could we keep increasing the number of messages forever? Could our devices be used for questions
with 16, 32, or 1,000,000 possible responses? Some things to think about...

● Our alphabet only has 26-letters, yet we can spell many words
● Our number system only has 10 digits yet we can represent many numbers
● Think back to your simple two-state device. Could you simply use it differently, rather than
modifying it?

Discuss with your partner


● How could you use your device to respond to much more complex questions (for example one
with 1,000 possible responses).
○ We could start flickering the lights
○ We could hit the cups on the table
● Use the space below to ​describe the system you develop​ in such a way that another group
could pick up your device and use it to send messages this way.
○ A whiteboard eraser (connected to a string held by the other member -- it is not a
projectile) is thrown to capture the other person’s attention
○ Each cup color/type is assigned two or more possibilities
■ The candle inside the cup is either on or off
■ The candle light can be flickered
■ The cup can be hit on the table

Class Discussion

Follow your teacher’s instructions for presenting your work to the class. You might need to:
● Describe how your system works
● Provide a simple example of your system
● Do a live demonstration of your system being used

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy