Fun Quiz on Binary with MicroBits

Some of the learning resources for the teaching of binary is available here:

Video 1:

Introductory Video on Binary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpk67YzOn5w

Why Do Computers Use 1s and 0s? Binary and Transistors Explained.

This video allows students to have meaningfully connection on the learning of binary and coding.

Video 2:

Convert decimal to binary by dividing by 2

https://youtu.be/C6l7F6C4bIA?si=r4ZeNpWAkFTVqwT2

Pre Activity Preparation

A classroom set of microbits is to be prepared so that each student will have a microbit to play the Binary Game with a partner.

Pre Activity Information for Teacher

Binary Game in MakeCode – Teacher to be familar on the game play

Binary Game Instruction

The Input (Micro:bit 1): 

The first student taps Button A (0) or Button B (1). After 5 taps, the micro:bit will start scrolling the sequence they entered (e.g., 01011).

The Transmission: 

Once the first student is ready, they press A and B together. This sends the decimal calculation (e.g., 11) through the air.

The Challenge (Micro:bit 2): 

The second student’s micro:bit will suddenly start scrolling the decimal number. 

They must then mentally convert it back to binary and tell their partner.

Verification: Student 1 checks if the answer matches the binary code still scrolling on their screen.

Reset: Both students press A and B to clear their screens and start a new round.

Note: Pair are to stand within 10-20 meters of each other for the radio signal to stay strong!

Binary Game Code:

https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1EDz1vuNUbrxrfmEY4o3yXnZhAO8oNqBi

from microbit import *

import radio

# Initialize radio

radio.on()

radio.config(group=1) # Ensure both micro:bits are on the same group

# Game States

STATE_INPUT = 0

STATE_DISPLAY_BINARY = 1

STATE_WAITING = 2

state = STATE_INPUT

binary_input = “”

decimal_value = 0

def reset_game():

  global binary_input, decimal_value, state

  binary_input = “”

  decimal_value = 0

  state = STATE_INPUT

  display.show(“?”)

  sleep(500)

  display.clear()

display.show(“?”)

while True:

  # 1. RECEIVE MODE: Always check if a number is being sent from another micro:bit

  incoming = radio.receive()

  if incoming:

    # If we receive a message, we switch to Receiver mode (Micro:bit 2)

    display.scroll(“DEC: “ + incoming, delay=100, loop=True, wait=False)

    state = STATE_WAITING

  # 2. SENDER MODE (Micro:bit 1 logic)

  if state == STATE_INPUT:

    # Input 5 digits

    if button_a.was_pressed():

      binary_input += “0”

      display.show(“0”)

      sleep(300)

      display.clear()

    elif button_b.was_pressed():

      binary_input += “1”

      display.show(“1”)

      sleep(300)

      display.clear()

    # Check if 5 digits reached

    if len(binary_input) == 5:

      # Calculate decimal equivalent

      decimal_value = int(binary_input, 2)

      state = STATE_DISPLAY_BINARY

  elif state == STATE_DISPLAY_BINARY:

    # Display the binary number continuously

    display.show(binary_input, delay=600, loop=True, wait=False)

    # Wait for A+B to send to Micro:bit 2

    if button_a.is_pressed() and button_b.is_pressed():

      radio.send(str(decimal_value))

      display.show(Image.YES) # Confirmation icon

      sleep(1000)

      display.show(“SENT”)

      state = STATE_WAITING

  # 3. GLOBAL RESET (Works for both sender and receiver)

  if button_a.is_pressed() and button_b.is_pressed():

    if state == STATE_WAITING:

      reset_game()

Based on students’ readiness or class profile, teacher may choose to show this video to the class at the start of the lesson so that they will know how to play the Binary Game.

https://youtu.be/qdPbqgaEU1o

* Microbits are issued

* Students to get in pairs

* For groups of three, the third person will be help to verify the answers shared by Player 2 before he or she submits.

* After both students attempt 3 rounds of binary questions, the pair will move on to Part II 

1. Class Discussion of the Code for Binary Conversion

Linking to the method of conversion taught in class

2. Class Discussion on Different Bases

Instruction for the optional class activity offered to the whole class for those who are interested to attempt to create similar code to convert decimal to other bases of their choices as enrichment activity.

Invite students who have attempted to create the code for the different bases to share their Game in the next lesson or when they are ready.