https://kindofidea.com/tags/computer-class/ Recent content in Computer Class on Kind of Idea Hugo en-US Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000 https://kindofidea.com/playing-with-binary-numbers/ Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000 https://kindofidea.com/playing-with-binary-numbers/ <p>In this post, I suggest a fun activity to help the class relax and interact with the material being covered.</p> <p>The idea is to simulate a binary counter. A binary counter is a machine (like a computer) that counts in binary (0 and 1). A group of people can become a binary counter, which is a good way to see how the number system works.</p> <p>Call up 5 volunteers and ask them to stand in a line, with everyone&rsquo;s right arm held horizontally and each hand touching the shoulder of the person beside them. The last person is the units digit and has to do most of the work. They are at the left end of the line (though it looks like the right, since we are facing them). The person at the other end hardly does anything, just offering a shoulder! There are only two rules.</p>