Week 2

Learning objectives

Upon finishing this learning module, you should be able to:

  • Describe the difference between analog and binary, bits and bytes
  • Do conversions between binary and decimal number systems.
  • Explain how the PageRank algorithm works
  • Write Python code to do simple computation with numbers and strings

Class Schedule

First Class Meeting

In class:

  • Bits and Binary Overview
  • Introduce Impacts of Computing
  • Programming - Ch 14

Independent:

  • Binary and Bits Readings
  • Number Systems & Binary readings
  • BinaryPractice Worksheet
  • Work on programming

Second Class Meeting

In class:

  • PageRank Activity
  • Programming - Ch 15

Independent:

  • Algorithm of the Week Reading
  • Do written assignment
  • Work on the Impacts of Computing assignment
  • Work on programming

Programming

Do the Ch 14 and 15 assignments based on Programming chapters from Welcome To CS.

Make sure you are logged into the book so your work is saved and you get credit. The surest way to make sure you are logged in is to start the programming assignment by clicking on the button in the corresponding assignment in Elearn.

Binary and Bits

Read Ch 3 - Binary and Bits of Welcome To CS. This reading is part of the Computing Week 2 assignment.


Number Systems & Binary

Read Ch 4.1-4.3 of Welcome To CS. This is the first three sections of Data Representation. This reading is part of the Computing Week 2 assignment.

Do the BinaryPractice worksheet. You can find it and a key in the Week 2 module, and all future worksheets, in the Files area in elearn. You can find a key for the worksheet there as well.

Worksheets like this are provided so you can practice the material. The book has interactive exercises, but doing 1 or 2 of those on a topic may not be enough practice to make sure you really understand the material. The worksheets are a good way to get extra practice and to check your understanding.

You will not turn the worksheets in.

If you have questions about any of the problems on a worksheet, ask about them!


Algorithm of the Week: PageRank

  • Read Chapter 3 of Nine Algorithms that Changed the Future.

    This OPTIONAL video has some background and tips to go with the reading:


  • Try out a PageRank simulator (you will need to use this for your assignment).

  • You can find a worksheet called PageRankPractice and a key for it in the Files area of Canvas. It has a couple of problems you can use to test your understanding of how PageRank works. You do not have to turn it in - it is just some practice thinking about how PageRank works.

  • Do the written assignment for this week - it is based on the PageRank reading and the PageRank simulator.


Impacts of Computing

This week's assignment will ask you to continue the work you started in week 1 on the topic of Self Driving Cars. See the Canvas assignment in this week's module for specific instructions


Optional Extras

Google Search - other tricks google uses to rank pages: