Tools/Data logging: Difference between revisions

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'''Data logging''' is a way to measure using a sensor and some means to record its readings. A weather station pretty well fits this definition. The station keep a record of what has happened and it may also display for us what is happening right now.
{{ToolInfo
Do you ever wonder what temperature changes the central heating achieves? How could you use the information to good effect? Any scientist with such questions or looking for a better way to study the world would try to invent a thing to find the answers. So not surprisingly, they have now invented hundreds of sensors that can respond to variables such as temperature and light. Their list continues to enable them to measure force (in weighing scales); acceleration (in car air bags); location (for GPS navigation).
|title=Collect and handle data from experiments
|tagline=Collect and handle data from experiments - Data logging
|image=insight3.jpg
|topic=Data logging
|description=
|ideas=
Most UK school science departments own a quantity of data logging sensors. How often it’s used varies from little to several occasions per year.<br />
Many ideas for experiments and investigations can be found nearby, in this downloadable ORBIT resource: '''[[Data_Logging_and_Control|full ebook: Data logging and Control]]'''  
|specs=Needs equipment
|strategy=
|Link=Link to software, developed at the University of Leicester, and made to work across the many different manufacturers hardware http://www.insightresources.co.uk
}}


Sensors help investigate science. If you wonder about the G-forces you might undergo on a theme park ride, or how long it takes to cool a can of Cola, you are in the business of investigating science. Data logging technology offers students tools to operate scientifically, solve problems in technology lessons, or analyse data in maths. All through the 1990's and ever since, UK schools have acquired equipment for measuring using sensors, largely because the National Curriculum (~1990) encouraged teaching science with them*.
[[File:Insight4.jpg|border|340x340px| |&copy; Preview snapshot from 'Insight Insight iLOG Studio - data logging software']] [[File:Insight2.jpg|border|340x340px| |&copy; Preview snapshot from 'Insight Insight iLOG Studio - data logging software]]
 
[[Category:ICT]]
While many people would say that measuring with technology is more accurate; more modern or 'the way to go', there are advantages for learning. Some are less than obvious:  
 
* You can monitor fast and tediously slow events. Thus you can investigate a whole range of interesting new things.
* You can design and make equipment to solve problems
* You can measure tiny changes with precision, to find out whether wearing white clothes has any effect on comfort on a hot day. (The measured difference is very slight by the way).
* You can see results immediately, get a tacit 'feel' for what’s happening. And you can modify your experiment's technique as you go.
* You gain data to analyse, evaluate and test hypotheses, much as the science and maths curriculum require.
 
In short data logging offers ways to recreate core science experiments, such as study insulating materials; or acceleration of a trolley on a ramp; or electromagnetic induction. But it also offers a strategy to get good investigative science happening in schools and go further by say, analysing data. A slight change of mindset when you come to use the technology will make this happen. But what do you think that might be?
 
'''Notes'''
* Most UK school science departments own a quantity of data logging sensors. How often it’s used varies from never to several occasions per year.<br />
* Ideas for experiments and investigations can be found in the ORBIT resource "Data logging activity"
 
LINK TO ACTIVITIES SEARCH - DATALOGGING BOOK

Latest revision as of 23:17, 23 October 2012

Insight3.jpg
Collect and handle data from experiments - Data logging

Tool Description Data logging is the process of recording measurements from sensors. A weather station pretty well fits this definition. The station captures readings from sensing devices and it may also display what is happening right now. The station offers a better way to study the world. While many people would say that measuring with technology is more accurate; more modern or 'the way to go', the real benefits are the important advantages for learning. Some are less than obvious:

  • You can monitor extremely fast or tediously slow events. Thus you can now investigate a whole range of things you would have needed to overlook.
  • You can design and make equipment to solve problems for 'technology or D&T' projects.
  • You can measure tiny changes with precision - for example to find out whether wearing white clothes could offer comfort on a hot day. The measured difference between black and white clothes is slight, by the way.
  • You can see results appear live and immediately, get a tacit understanding for what’s happening. This incidentally lets you modify your experiment when you see readings going awry.
  • You can gain data to analyse, evaluate and test hypotheses, much as the science and maths curriculum require.

In short data logging offers ways to do core science experiments, such as studying insulating materials; or acceleration of a trolley on a ramp; or electromagnetic induction. But it also offers a strategy to promote good investigative science in schools.

Data Handling:

When you first come to use the technology like this, using the technology to take the science further, using it to quantify differences; to derive data and to model it, may well seem a long step ahead. However, making use of data so conveniently collected, really deserves to happen in mainstream teaching. When you see the need, it will help to know there are data handling packages designed for use with data collected from sensors. One might imagine that a spreadsheet could handle this - however, these data handling packages can take readings at points on a graph; calculate net changes; calculate graph areas; plot a rate of change against time; fit this to a model and more. (edit)

Teaching Approach. Data logging tools provide opportunity to engage pupils in the scientific method(ta) and higher order(ta) reasoning(ta) and problem solving over data collection and analysis. They can be used collaboratively(ta) or individually in inquiry(ta) based learning. (edit)

Tool details
Title Collect and handle data from experiments
Topic [[Topics/Data logging|Data logging]]
Licence / Cost / Platform

Needs equipment

Subject / Categories ToolInfo, Data logging, ICT
Teaching Ideas / Links

Most UK school science departments own a quantity of data logging sensors. How often it’s used varies from little to several occasions per year.
Many ideas for experiments and investigations can be found nearby, in this downloadable ORBIT resource: full ebook: Data logging and Control

Link

Link to software, developed at the University of Leicester, and made to work across the many different manufacturers hardware http://www.insightresources.co.uk


© Preview snapshot from 'Insight Insight iLOG Studio - data logging software' © Preview snapshot from 'Insight Insight iLOG Studio - data logging software

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