Ben B.
Computing Showcase Website
Sensing and Data Logging
As part of science lessons, pupils can be given scientific equipment to monitor and measure given variables. These tools are known as dataloggers, and with specialist probes can produce detailed measurements of a large variety of experimental variables. Dataloggers can measure multiple variables at once, including temperature, resistance, pressure, light intensity and volume.
More complex dataloggers allow continuous monitoring of measured variables, feeding the information to a computer allowing data to be analysed using graphical analysis and spreadsheet programs. Others take time-interval based snapshots of monitored variables, which can also be outputted to data collation equipment.
These probes naturally find their use in science lessons for both KS1 and KS2 children and can be used by children of all developmental stages due to their simple yet precise nature.
I look forward to the possiblity of using Data Loggers in my own lessons, with their nature and application supporting the Working Scienficially element of the National Curriculum as well as producing opportunities for children to engage in data collation.