Speech binary system - pūnaha tāhūrua


Discuss Kōrero Mai: what are binary digits? how do they work?
Watch the short video below for a refresher:


Discuss Kōrero Mai: how can we convert binary digits into text?


Remember that binary digits show two states? one/off, high/low, loud/quiet… can you think of any other opposite states that could represent binary?

Well … Binary digits can also represent letters of the alphabet.

Take this 5 digit code: 00001 this represents the number 1 and the letter A.

What about this one: 00010 this represents the number 2 and the letter B.

What number and binary code do you think the letter C is represented by? What about the letter S?

Ready? Kua reri? - Ready? It's your turn... Breakdown the binary codes into the alphabet.

Use the student handout to create the alphabet in binary. Can you decode a message? 00010 , 01001 , 01110 , 00001 , 10010 , 11001 Can you write and send secret messages to your friends? Can you send messages using Te Pū Taka Māori?

Fun Fact: when you send and receive secret messages it is a type of encryption. Encryption is used in Digital Technologies to keep data secure from prying eyes.

Now try to figure out the messages that are being sung with high and low notes. 1 is a high note, and 0 is a low note. Use 00000 for a space.





Converting binary into text

Watch the music video. This may look like a video that teaches about binary numbers, but it also contains steganographic codes (hidden messages).


The major challenge is in the video “Reaching out”, which contains over 20 hidden binary message in total. The main message can be decoded by noting the pitches of the main tune as for the previous songs but there are over 20 messages coded in different parts of the video, including the other instrumental parts, background images, and the dancing.

The messages hidden in this video use a 5-bit representation. See if you can find them!

Real life examples of data transfer using binary digits

  • It is common for a home connection to the internet to be via a modem, which is short for “modulator demodulator”.
  • Older modems use audible tones, which is the harsh screeching sound that many internet users are familiar with.
  • Old fax machines also use the same kind of modem to transmit images.
  • The more recent DSL modems use frequencies above human hearing, so that data can be( transmitted on the phone line while it is still being used for speech.


Ready? Kua reri? - Ready? It's your turn... Applying your Digital Tech knowledge on an authentic project

You now have the digital tech skills to start creating your own projects from scratch! You will have two lessons to work on this project. Let's start by reading the brief below:

Design Brief: The school is hosting a talent show that requires students and participants to enter in their details to show interest. You need to design and create a digital app that requests users to enter in this information if they wish to sign up.

What inputs & outputs do you think you need in your program?
How will the input transform into an output?



Click Here to start the project. This project is accessible from the Projects tab at the top of the website.