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Binary Bunting Flags – ‘write’ your name’s initial letter in binary ^JB

We thought you might like to make some computing-themed bunting based on binary representations of letters – specifically the first letter of your name, in bunting flags. What with 2022 being the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee we will probably be seeing rather a lot of bunting* this year, might as well join the fun :)

The letter ‘J’ in binary

Materials

You can print our ready-made flags below or just create your own. All you need is a triangle as the face of whatever you want on your flag, but don’t forget to add a little ‘flap‘ at the top which will fold over the string or thread (you can glue or sellotape it to stop it sliding around).

If you print ours you’ll need a printer, paper, scissors, glue / sellotape and some thread, string or ribbon.
If you make your own you’ll need everything above minus the printer but plus pencils / pens.

The alphabet, in binary

A table showing the binary code in 8 bit for each capital letter, A to Z. E is 01000101 and T is 01010100. A fuller range of lower case letters and numbers can be found at ScienceFriday.

Each person will need 8 flags per letter with the number of 1s and 0s depending on the initial of their first name or nickname. I’m Jo so I’d need three flags with 1 on and five with 0 on them. I’d also need to put them in the right order to ‘spell’ the letter J – 01001010. For example I could also spell the letters L or Q with the same flags by rearranging the order. There will be other ‘binary buddies’ where the same eight flags could spell more than one letter.

Don’t forget that binary 1s and 0s can be represented by any pair of things, so you could different colours (red and black bunting, or maybe blue and yellow) or different shapes (triangle and square bunting), or anything you like!

 

Printable Binary Bunting flags

The .pptx files below were created on a Mac computer and are editable. In case they appear differently on Windows computers I’ve added a PDF copy as well.

  1. Blank bunting flags, 3 to an A4 sheet (PDF)
  2. Binary bunting flags (half with 0 on, half with 1 on), 3 to an A4 sheet (PDF)
  3. Binary bunting midi flags (half with 0, half with 1), 6 to an A4 sheet (PDF)
  4. Binary bunting mini flags (50% 0, 50% 1), 10 to an A4 page (PDF)
  5. Raw .svg file of blank bunting flag (you can use a free program like Inkscape to edit this, or any vector-graphics editing program).

 

*small flags, usually fabric, strung together as a decoration

 

 

 

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FREE, funded digital / computing / cyber security / big data skills training for Londoners

There are free online, self-paced digital (and other) courses available for those who live or work in London, part-funded by the European Commission. Applicants need to be in work (including self-employed) or on the Kickstarter scheme.

The pre-recorded courses are taught by lecturers from London South Bank University and Ravensbourne University in Greenwich, who’ve partnered with Dagile to offer the courses online. A snapshot of the courses available is tomorrow and full details are in the FAQ.

A list of the available courses (see plain text version at the end of the post).

Lists of other courses
The Skills Toolkit https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/find-a-course/the-skills-toolkit

Skills Bootcamps https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-a-skills-bootcamp/list-of-skills-bootcamps

 

Plain text version of the courses listed in the image

1. Basic Skills – units
• Maths – making calculations
• ESOL speaking and listening

2. Creative Digital – units
• Creating and publishing web pages
• Creating and manipulating digital images
• User interface and User Experience design
• Introduction to web design and development

3a. Digital & IT Skills – course
• Big Data & Cyber Security

3b. Digital & IT Skills – units
• Big Data
• Database with SQL
• Programming methods
• Programming fundamentals
• Introduction to Cyber Security

4a. Digital Marketing – course
• Digital marketing

4b. Digital Marketing – units
• The marketing environment
• Introduction to marketing
• Developing a marketing plan
• Principles of social media advertising

5. Leadership & Management – units
• Business planning
• Management & Leadership

 

 

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Schools! Apply to be a Digital Schoolhouse: play-based learning to engage pupils and teachers with Computing ^JB

“Digital Schoolhouse applications have opened. If you are a passionate teacher in #Computing, this is a chance for your school to be at the forefront of Computing education by helping the next generation become confident and competent in mastering challenging concepts. It’s free to join with funding opportunities, and as a certified Schoolhouse you will receive accredited CPD and training plus many more benefits. Apply by 31 March 2022: https://bit.ly/dsh-apply-22” See @DigSchoolhouse on Twitter

 

Text says "I can't recommend the DSH programme highly enough and regularly suggest it to other secondary schools. Not only does it benefit primary and secondary teachers alike, but it means that once students start with you in Year 6, you've already got them motivated and keen to learn more and progress, which as a teacher, is hugely encouraging." Lead Teacher, Shire Oak Academy.

Digital Schoolhouse together with Nintendo UK is looking for excellent schools & colleges to join the programme to continue our mission of bridging the gap between education and the video games industry to aptly equip the next generation for a digital age.

  • It’s free to join – teachers can even apply for a bursary for up to £3000 to support the programme in their institution
  • Receive free certified CPD up to 4 times a year
  • Raise your school’s profile locally and nationally – by marketing your workshop and connecting with local businesses Schoolhouses can make a name for themselves in their communities
  • Receive direct links to the UK video games industry – you’ll be given direct access to the biggest publishers including Nintendo, PlayStation, Ubisoft, SEGA & Outright Games + more (this year Schoolhouses received complete class sets of Ubisoft’s Discovery Tour)
  • Receive free access and free hardware + software loans for the Digital Schoolhouse esports tournament
  • Get access to networking opportunities with over 70 of the best Computing teachers from across the UK

 

Apply by 5pm, Thursday 31 March 2022 for the academic year 2022-2023 year.

(If your school would like support you can request a workshop from one of the Schoolhouses here).

Click to download the flyer

 

 

Pointing icon image credit: modified from Touch image by J S from Pixabay