Teaching notes

Teaching notes

This resource is designed to support students and teachers engaging with Stage 5 – Information and Software Technology, Stage 6 – Information Processes and Technology and Stage 6 – Software Design and Development.

In this Laptop wrap students are guided through the process of converting decimal numbers to binary numbers, and then on to hexadecimal. Students are provided with opportunities to practice conversion within the context of developing a conversion calculator in Microsoft Excel. The relationship between hexadecimal numbers and colour is demonstrated by guiding students in the alteration of text colour by means of a Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) attached to this resource.

The linked Binary numbers PowerPoint presentation is designed for use on an interactive whiteboard or flat panel display. The resource will also function well on a computer with internet access and the Microsoft Office suite installed, where it can be used with a data projector for a class group or by individual students.

This resource demonstrates conversion between decimal and binary numbers and provides opportunities for students to practice the process.

Teachers are encouraged to read the presenters notes in the PowerPoint presentation before using the resource with their class, to fully understand the activities.

In the first task students are referred to the Binary numbers Microsoft PowerPoint presentation, so they are familiar with the process of converting decimal to binary. This understanding is used to add formulas to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet in order to produce a conversion calculator. Detailed instructions are provided in linked Microsoft Word documents and for teacher reference Completed converter 1 (.xlsx 12 kB) is provided. If students are experiencing difficulty switching between windows they may find it easier to print these instruction documents and refer to a hard copy.

In the second task more formulas are added to the spreadsheet to allow conversion of a binary number into hexadecimal. A linked Microsoft Word document with instructions and a Completed converter 2 (.xlsx 12 kB) are provided.

The third task introduces students to the concept of using hexadecimal code to represent colours. Students will first use The Paciello Group’s Colour Contrast Analyser to identify the hexadecimal codes for different colours. The students are then instructed to download and open the Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) attached to this product, and then alter the colour of the text using hexadecimal code. Instructions are provided in a linked Microsoft Word document.

Note: Colour Contrast Analyser is available for installation on all Department of Education computers through the Software Catalogue. Users can install the software in their personal devices after downloading it from The Paciello Group’s Colour Contrast Analyser website.

This resource aims to incorporate elements of the quality teaching framework.

  • Deep knowledge and deep understanding are fostered.

  • Specialist metalanguage is unpacked for use by students.

  • This resource endeavours to provide an environment that encourages student engagement.

  • The self-paced nature in this type of resource allows students some level of self-regulation and direction.