JSS 3 First Term

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: BY THE END OF THE LESSON PUPILS SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

Cognitive	i. Distinguish between a bit, a byte and a word. ii. Convert between binary and decimal using place value. iii. Explain how text, images and sound are stored in binary. iv. Use the units of data such as the kilobyte and the megabyte.
Affective	i. Appreciate the value of Binary Numbers and Data Representation in school, at home and in the community. ii. Show willingness to use digital tools carefully, safely and responsibly.
Psychomotor	i. Convert the binary number 10101 to decimal. ii. Write the codes 65 and 66 in binary to represent A and B. iii. Estimate the size of a photograph in megabytes from its pixels. iv. Decode the binary message 100, 1, 11, 4 using A equals 1.

Rationale: A bit is the smallest piece of data a computer can handle. Understanding starter Scenario, bits and Bytes, reading Binary Place Values, converting Between Binary and Decimal helps learners use digital technology confidently, safely and responsibly.

Pre-requisite Knowledge: In Week 5, learners studied Number Systems, including what is a Number System, the Binary System, converting Decimal to Binary. The knowledge from that week is used again in this lesson.

Learning Material/Teaching Aid: Whiteboard, markers, computer or laptop where available, printed notes and charts on Binary Numbers and Data Representation, practical task sheets, learners' notebooks and pens.

Reference Materials: Digital Technology for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS 3); NERDC Digital Technology Curriculum; Digital Technology JSS 3 First Term Notes (Week 6); First Term examination and Continuous Assessment question papers.

LESSON DEVELOPMENT

Stage/Step (Time)	Teacher's Activities	Student's Activities	Learning Points
Introduction 5 MINUTES	Welcomes learners, revises Week 5 (Number Systems) with two quick oral questions, and asks what they already know about Binary Numbers and Data Representation. Elicits responses and writes the topic on the board.	Recall the previous lesson and share what they already know about Binary Numbers and Data Representation.	Connecting prior knowledge to Binary Numbers and Data Representation.
Step 1 6 MINUTES	Covers Starter Scenario: A market trader uses a simple tally sheet with only two marks, a plain tick and a crossed tick, to count her sold crates each day. Covers Bits and Bytes: A bit is the smallest piece of data a computer can handle. Covers Reading Binary Place Values: To understand a binary number, write its place values above the digits from the right.	Listen, take notes and answer oral questions on "Starter Scenario" and related points.	Understanding: Starter Scenario; Bits and Bytes; Reading Binary Place Values.
Step 2 6 MINUTES	Covers Converting Between Binary and Decimal: To convert binary to decimal, write the binary digits, then label the place values 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 from right to left. Covers How Text is Stored: Each letter, digit and symbol on a keyboard is given a code number. Covers How Images are Stored: An image on a screen is made of tiny dots called pixels, arranged in rows and columns.	Copy the key points, give examples from school and everyday life, and ask questions on "Converting Between Binary and Decimal" and related points.	Understanding: Converting Between Binary and Decimal; How Text is Stored; How Images are Stored.
Step 3 6 MINUTES	Covers How Sound is Stored: Sound is a moving wave in the air. Covers Reading a Simple Binary Message: Using a small code where A equals 1, B equals 2, and so on, each letter can be written in binary and read back by a decoder. Covers Binary Data Representation: Computers store all information using only two digits, 0 and 1.	Discuss in pairs, then report one point on "How Sound is Stored" and related points to the class.	Understanding: How Sound is Stored; Reading a Simple Binary Message; Binary Data Representation.
Step 4 6 MINUTES	Covers Storage Metrics and Simple Conversions: Data in a computer is measured using a standard set of units that grow from the very smallest to very large. A bit is the smallest unit, representing a single 0 or 1. Covers Character Encoding, ASCII and Unicode: For a computer to store and display text, every character must first be converted into a number, and that number is then stored in binary. Character encoding is the system that assigns a unique number to each letter, digit, punctuation mark and special symbol.	Respond to questions, complete the examples on the board and note down "Storage Metrics and Simple Conversions" and related points.	Understanding: Storage Metrics and Simple Conversions; Character Encoding, ASCII and Unicode.
Practical Work 6 MINUTES	Guides learners through the practical work: (i) Convert the binary number 10101 to decimal. (ii) Write the codes 65 and 66 in binary to represent A and B. (iii) Estimate the size of a photograph in megabytes from its pixels. Moves round the class to check progress and correct unsafe or careless use.	Carry out the practical tasks individually or in pairs and record what they did in their notebooks.	Applying the lesson through hands-on practice.
Evaluation 3 MINUTES	Asks learners to: i. Distinguish between a bit, a byte and a word. ii. Convert between binary and decimal using place value. iii. Explain how text, images and sound are stored in binary. iv. Use the units of data such as the kilobyte and the megabyte.	Respond verbally and in writing to the evaluation questions.	Assessment and consolidation of the lesson content.
Conclusion 2 MINUTES	Recaps the main points: starter Scenario, bits and Bytes, reading Binary Place Values, converting Between Binary and Decimal, how Text is Stored. Links them to the assignment and previews Week 7: Logic Gates.	Listen, ask questions and copy the assignment.	Reinforcement of key concepts and a preview of the next lesson.

Assignment: i. A pupil says one byte is the same as one bit. Correct this by explaining the difference between a bit and a byte and giving one example of how many of each is needed to store the letter A. ii. A school asks how much memory is needed to store 200 characters if each character uses 8 bits. Show your working.