Learning

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Learning Activity Package communications
InstructorName School Red River College Course
Technology Education Unit Communications Estimate
d Time One Hour LAP Code A06 Computer Edition
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Introduction In a world moving at such a fast
pace, it is important for us to stay on top of
things. This can sometimes prove to be difficult,
because there is so much to learn! Commu
nications is a major factor in what makes the
world go round. Almost everything you do
revolves around communications in some way. By
working through this LAP, you will better
understand how communications systems work. Then
you will even be able to make your own system!
Good luck, and have fun! N
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Table of contents Objectives of this
L.A.P Info - Communication Info - Morse Code Info
- Binary Code Info - C.R.T.C. Design Brief -
Communication Breakdown Take The Self Test Self
Test Answer Key Performance Exam Performance Exam
Key Glossary Of Terms References / Additional
Info
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Objectives Upon successful completion of this
LAP, you will be able to 1) Create your own
definition of the term communication without any
outside help. It must be realistic. 2) Place
at least eight from a list of 10 communications
terms in the correct order based on their date of
invention. 3) State the decade, and by whom
Morse Code was invented. 4) Demonstrate and
explain how five bits of binary code works. 5)
Define the acronym CRTC and describe its main
objective in not more than one paragraph. 6)
Construct a code in about 30 minutes with your
partner that is capable of transmitting
instructions to them. 7) Have fun participating
in the activity Communication Breakdown
according to the design brief. NPlease continue
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Path Selection Now that you have read the
objectives of this Learning Activity Package
(LAP), it should be clear what is expected of
you. Use the choices below to determine how you
wish to learn. NPath 1 Are you kidding
me, I can do all those things in my sleep! Im
going to page 17 in this LAP so I can take the
self test. NPath 2 I dont even know what
language those objectives are written in! I
better go to the page6 and start reading over the
material carefully. NPath 3 I know some of
that stuff on the previous page, but not all of
it, Im going to refer to the next page so I can
read up on only what I dont know. NPath 4
This LAP is dumb, so I am going to refer to page
24 and learn this information from an alternate
source.
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Information Perhaps you have already noticed
the red text so far mixed in with the black. A
term typed in red is one you can find in the
glossary on page 23 of this Learning Activity
Package. As defined by dictionary.com, the term
communication refers to the exchange of
thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech,
signals, writing, or behavior. By adding an S
to that term, you get, the discipline that
studies the principles of transmitting
information and the methods by which it is
delivered (as print or radio or television
etc.). All this means is that communicationS is
the field that studies communication. There are
many techniques that we use to communicate. N
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Learning Activity Package Learning Activity
1 Now that youve read the information on the
previous page, do the following two activities on
a separate, blank sheet of paper. 1) Build
your own definition of the term communication.
Without showing the term, ask five other people
to read the definition and tell you what youve
defined. If they get it, you must have created a
good definition. If not, ask for help perfecting
it. 2) Assemble a list of at least 15 ways and
things we use to communicate. Place them in order
of their origin. Which do you think came first,
talking or (talking with) a cell phone? NWhen
youre done, keep on rollin!
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Information Morse Code is a method of
communication. It involves sending a message
based on long and short marks. These are more
commonly referred to as dots and dashes. The Code
was invented by Samuel Morse for use with the
telegraph machine. It was then used extensively
for radio communication starting around 1890.
Even though we rarely use Morse Code as a form of
communication today, modifications are still
being made. In fact, the _at_ symbol was added to
Morse Code in 2004. Since its invention in the
mid-1830s, it has gone through several changes
to improve its effectiveness, and is now
standardized throughout the world. NNext!
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Learning Activity Package Learning Activity
2 Now that youve read the information on the
previous page, do the following activity on a
separate, blank sheet of paper. Using the
Official International Morse Code chart on the
left, exchange coded messages with a friend to
practice using the code. See how fast you can
write and read messages in Morse Code. Can you do
it without the chart? Start thinking about
inventing your own code. What would you call
it? NAfterward, scope out the next page!
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Information Binary Code is the language which
a computer uses to perform operations. Binary is
a type of numbering system, only a little bit
different from the one we know. The number system
we use is called the Decimal system. Starting
with 0, we can count up to nine, before having to
add a decimal place. Therefore, we also refer to
this system as Base 10. In the binary number
system, there are only two places 0 and 1. Once
you count to 1, you need to add a decimal place.
Therefore, we can call this system Base 2. This
is the basis for pretty much every electronic
device you use today. There are other types of
numbering systems out there, but these two are
enough for now. NNext!
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Information You already know that each place
in a number is called a digit. The same is true
for Binary. Its called a binary digit, or Bit,
for short. Youve likely heard this term
before. Examine the following charts carefully.
The chart on the left is the decimal numbering
system which you use everyday. The binary system
is on the right. You need to know at least five
bits of this system, four are shown. N
All done here!
Binary
Decimal
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Learning Activity Package Learning Activity
3 Now that youve read the information on the
previous page, do the following activity on a
separate, blank sheet of paper. Create a chart
of binary numbers that go up to 31. This will be
five binary digits, or five bits. After youve
completed this list, practice using the numbers
(up to nine) by writing down things like your
phone number, birthday, house number and locker
combo in binary. Jot down as many numerical terms
as you can, to get extra practice. For example,
Mr. Gavin typed this LAP when he was 22 years
old. Twenty-two in binary is written as
10110 NWhen youre done, continue reading
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Information The CRTC is the regulatory body
responsible for broadcasting here in Canada. It
was established in 1968. In the United States,
this body is referred to as the FCC (Federal
Communications Commission). CRTC is an acronym
for Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission. They supervise
and regulate every aspect of the Canadian
broadcasting system, including telecommunications
companies like MTS, Rogers and Telus.
Additionally, they monitor your favourite radio
station for appropriateness, and Canadian
content. Dont forget, radio stations here in
Canada are required by law to play 35 Canadian
Content between 6 am and 6 pm (Mon Fri). NCarry
on!
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Learning Activity Package Learning Activity
4 Now that youve read the information on the
previous page, do the following activity on a
separate, blank sheet of paper. 1)
Compose a list of ten of your all time, favourite
tunes. Do this step before moving onto the
next. 2) Using an internet search engine
or other source of information, determine what
percentage of your favourite songs are
Canadian. NNow its time for some real fun!
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Intro to self test You may be ready for the self
test. Read the following to determine your next
path choice. NPath 1 Are you kidding
me, Im gonna kill this test! Ill jump to the
next page so I can take the self test and see how
well I know the objectives outlined on page
3. NPath 2 Im still having difficulty
figuring out certain topics. I will jump to page
4 and chose another path to learn the rest of
this stuff. (as outlined on page 3)
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self test Whens the last time you actually had
fun doing a test! When youre done go to the
next page.
Down
Across
Print this page and complete
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Evaluation of Self test You should have got 10
or more questions correct on the previous self
test. Each answer was worth one
mark. NPath 1 Darn right, I killed
that test! Ill click to the next page so I can
take the performance exam and finish this
Learning Activity Package. NPath 2 Aw
man, that test was bogus! I didn't even get at
least 10 right. I will use another path to learn
the rest of this stuff. Page 4.
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Performance exam 1)Who invented Morse Code?
_________________________. 2)The word bit is a
combination of the words _________
_______. 3)Define the term communication.
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_______________. 4)Morse code was invented in the
mid- __________. 5)CRTC stands for __________
___________-____________ ______________
____________. 6)Describe the CRTCs objective.
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_______________. 7)Number the following terms in
order of their invention/use. ___Traffic
lights ___Wireless Internet ___Telephone ___Talki
ng ___Telegraph ___Cell Phone ___Television ___
E-mail ___Radio waves ___Text messaging (SMS)
Print this page and complete
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(No Transcript)
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References The following websites will assist
you in achieving the objectives of this LAP. A
great definition of communication
communications http//dictionary.reference.com/s
earch?qcommunications Learn everything there is
to know about Morse Code http//en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Morse_code Become a binary
expert http//nickciske.com/tools/binary.php http
//www.webopedia.com/TERM/B/binary.html http//en.
wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_numeral_system The
CRTCs Official Fan Site http//www.crtc.gc.ca/en
g/welcome.htm Build your own crossword
puzzles http//www.varietygames.com/CW/ Mr.
Gavins Recommended Ultimate Resources http//www
.google.ca http//www.dictionary.com http//en.wik
ipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page http//ca.briefcase.yaho
o.com