CAS Tenderfoot Unit 4 - Bits and Bytes
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Last edit: 13 May 2022
This resource is for CAS Tenderfoot trained or experienced trainers. It gives access to the full portfolio of resources that supports the whole-day Unit and the Sessions that can be delivered as separate CPD events, of about 2 hours.
This video (4 minutes) introduces the Unit. It can be used to introduce the whole-day Unit or contextualise shorter Sessions. Alternatively, the URL can be sent to attendees for viewing before the CPD session.
The first section of this page contains the materials required to run the FULL session i.e. in a whole day. The remaining sections have the resources split up into a number of shorter sessions ideal for delivering in a twilight session.
Whole-day Unit Materials
Individual Session Unit Materials
The CAS Tenderfoot units are designed as 1-day sessions for 'trainers' of 'master teachers and other curriculum champions'. The material is structured to allow it to be delivered in shorter sessions by those 'master teachers and curriculum champions' – but is predicated on them being exposed to the entire narrative of a day session or series of shorter sessions organised by those 'trainers'.
We advise trainers not to just identify 'activities' to make a training session. The activities are important to illustrate ideas but it is the computer science content that is important. For a non-specialist key stage 3 teacher – just doing an activity is a step forward, but the purpose of this material is to get more experienced teachers together to discuss and deepen their understanding of the computer science concepts. Shorter sessions only address that if attendees commit to, and cover the unit as a whole.
It is suggested the material could be delivered as 3 separate shorter sessions
Session 1a: All Done By Numbers
A session aimed at those new to computer science could combine the basics of binary (All Done By Numbers) with an exploration of digital images and a practical session using Pixel Spreadsheet. The practical challenges that can be set for manipulating pixel values in Pixel Spreadsheet could be varied to make this a very flexible session.
Teachers Notes
Activities and Handouts
Super Switching Binary Machine + Post-It Notes
Australian Magicians Dream Handout and sets of cards (and duplicate) to try Set of cards for trick above (plus envelope and large duplicate)
Set of binary punched cards + knitting needle
Binary bitmap spreadsheet challenges
Session 1b: Playing With Pictures
Teachers Notes
Handouts
Digitising Images Resource Sheets
Tarzia Sample Matching Exercises
Session 2a: Character Codes and Compression
Combining Character Codes and Compression with the Painting By Numbers (Session 2b) provides a session aimed at more experienced colleagues with a focus on material that might be worthwhile at GCSE level. In particular the compression activities and exploration of file formats. Again, both the exploratory activities for designing character codes and the practical challenges of writing pictures can be extended or curtailed to suit the time available.
Teachers Notes
Handouts
Ascii Binary Decimal Tables (and 8 paper cups each)
Session 2b: Painting By Numbers
Combine this session with Session 2a
Teachers Notes
Handouts
Netpbm sample files e-resource
Write Your own Picture exercises
Session 3: Computational Graphics
A session exploring computational graphics using JES could be extended to include :Pixel Spreadsheet as an introductory activity. this is the most challenging of the areas and assumes prior familiarity with programming (and ideally Python syntax). such is the scalable nature of the challenges it could easily form a full day session.
Standard resources
BCS Certificate for Computer Science Teachers
eResources
The zip file gives access to a range of resources including:
0101Bill_Nye_Computers_Clip.mp4
0101Binary_Counting.mp4
0104The_Australian_Magicians_Dream.pdf
0106aBinary_Bitmap_Spreadsheet_Easy.xlsx
0106bBinary_Bitmap_Spreadsheet_Hard.xlsx
0203Tarzia_Sample_Matching_Exercises.zip
0204Pixel_Spreadsheet.zip
0401Sample_Files.zip