3.9 Secret Code

A. Languages & Codes

People all over the world play the same video game. Information for those games travels all over the world through light in fiber optic cables, but how do designers create video games? How do they create video games that display cool colors and sounds? How do we make sure FarmVille is the same game design for each person who plays? The answer- code! 

Throughout history, people have invented codes or ways to send messages to other people. Some codes must be read, seen, or heard in person. Some codes can be sent a long distance away. 

Here are four different codes or ways of sharing the alphabet. 

 

Directions: Look at the four examples of code below and find three things they have in common and three ways they are different. 

Sign Language - Sight

People use sign language to make shapes with their hands. This helps those who are deaf or hard of hearing to communicate.

Binary Code - Digital

Computers use 1s and 0s to store all kinds of information. Here’s how the binary code is used to store letters.

Braille - Touch

Braille is an alphabet of raised bumps on paper. Blind people read braille by feeling the letters with their fingers. 

Morse Code - Sound

Morse Code uses a pattern of long and short sounds. This allowed messages to be sent quickly all over the country.

B. Try it Out!

Here’s a short recording of Morse Code. 

Directions: 

  1. Can you tell what three letters the code is using? 
  2. Find a partner and try tapping a letter. See if they can guess the letter you are tapping. 

Check your thinking

The letters are S.O.S.

Ships used to use S.O.S. when they were in trouble. Anyone who heard that message knew people needed help. Since it was a simple code, people all over the world used it, no matter what language they spoke.

It was also easy to remember:
Short beep, short beep, short beep
Long beep, long beep, long beep.

Check Your Thinking

C. Recording Messages

Messages in Morse Code were sent live. One person sent the message, another had to be there to hear it. Humans have found many ways to store information so that people can access it again. Here are just a few of the ways people have shared information throughout history. 

Think About It: How many of these have you seen before? It’s okay if they are all new. We’ll learn more in the next lesson. 

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