DATALOGGING
What can be done?
| Experiments which require good sensitivity | |
| cooling against time | |
| Experiments with long or short timescales | |
| rates of reaction | |
| environmental changes | |
| Quick processing of results | |
| motion experiments | |
| Assessed Investigations | |
| alternative technique | |
| End of Year 9 Projects | |
| home insulation |
How did we get there?
| 1. | Choose equipment |
| 2. | Train staff |
| 3. | Prepare and trial experiments and worksheets |
| 4. | Into the classroom |
| 5. | Maintenance |
Networked PC’s
| FOR | |
| already there | |
| pupils can save data to own area for later use | |
| generally robust | |
| AGAINST | |
| fixed site | |
| can be awkward for experiments and data capture | |
| don’t like being moved to plug in interface unit |
Notebook Computers
| FOR | |
| portable and convenient for lab use | |
| easy to set up | |
| can be used outdoors | |
| AGAINST | |
| need careful handling | |
| need to clear data directories regularly | |
| printing requires separate printer with its own connection |
Pocketbook Computers
| FOR | |
| relatively cheap, class sets possible | |
| small, light and very portable | |
| fairly easy to set up | |
| AGAINST | |
| digital and real time datalogging not available quite yet | |
| cannot print out graphs direct (being investigated) | |
| not quite so easy to use | |
| small memory, needs clearing |
Equipment
Verulam School used Sense & Control with| networked 486 PC’s (4) | using Insight for Windows |
| notebook computers (3) | using Insight for Windows |
| Acorn pocketbook computers | using SaCSense |
Staff Training
Introduction to equipment Experiment specific Ongoing - promote confidence Support in the laboratoryExperiments
| Is datalogging really appropriate | |
| Develop for best use of datalogging | |
| Multiple sensors | |
| Timescale | |
| Sensitivity | |
| BUT keep it simple | |
| Does it really show what you want? |
Worksheets
Clear diagram Detailed, numbered steps Tested with staff Anticipate problemsInto the Laboratory
| Supply individual sets of equipment | |
| in numbered trays | |
| with correct leads | |
| with correct sensors | |
| CHECK everything | |
| Expect problems | |
| Have a technician or second teacher available | |
| if at all possible | |
| Printing bottleneck | |
| especially with pocketbook computers |
Maintenance
| Must plan use in advance | |
| to ensure equipment ready for use | |
| sorting out equipment sets | |
| Charging equipment | |
| Clearing memory | |
| every time for pocket books | |
| use a data directory for PC’s | |
| Care of pH and humidity sensors | |
| Technician training essential |
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