Representing text using ASCII and Unicode
I can explain how computers represent text.
Representing text using ASCII and Unicode
I can explain how computers represent text.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The number of possible states of a sequence of n bits is 2 raised to the power of n.
- A character set is a record of characters, each matched to a unique binary sequence.
- ASCII character representation uses an 8-bit binary sequence to represent each character.
- Unicode character representation uses up to 32 bits to represent each character.
- The first 256 characters of Unicode are the same as in ASCII.
Keywords
State - value of data at a specific point in time
Character set - a system that matches characters to a unique binary sequence
ASCII - a method of character representation that uses 8 bits per character
Unicode - a method of character representation that uses up to 32 bits per character
Common misconception
ASCII and Unicode are only used to represent the characters and symbols found in written communication across all languages in the world.
ASCII and Unicode include more than just characters from written languages. ASCII represents English letters, numbers and symbols. Unicode supports other symbols beyond written text, including mathematical symbols, emojis and non-text elements.
To help you plan your year 10 computer science lesson on: Representing text using ASCII and Unicode, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 computer science lesson on: Representing text using ASCII and Unicode, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 computer science lessons from the Representation of text, images and sound unit, dive into the full secondary computer science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a method of character representation using 8 bits
a method of character representation using up to 32 bits
a record of characters, each matched to a unique binary sequence
smallest unit of data
8 bits together