USING ICT - DATA LOGGER (LogIT)

Hand held Data loggers are versatile tools which allow pupils to take measurements easily at various locations in the school. Their use encourages scientific investigation with younger pupils, using real values without the difficulties of reading scales or number sizes. Readings can be transferred to computer and presented in a variety of types of graphs or tables.

Data loggers have internal sensors for the following :-

• temperature (°C)

• light (Lux)

• sound (decibels)

Most have external sensors, which can be used for the following:

• temperature probes

• voltage

• pulse rate

• pH, a measure of acidity

Operational modes:

• stand alone                direct readings displayed

• remote logging            data is recorded over time and stored in the memory. It is retrieved when connected to the computer.

• snapshot logging          individual readings are stored and retrieved when connected to the computer.

• real time logging          displays data live on the screen when connected to the computer.

• measurement of time

• measurement of speed (without calculation)

Data loggers can be used in a wide variety of investigations e.g. to measure intensity of sun light compared with electric light, noise levels in classrooms, efficiency of insulation, speed of carts rolling down different gradients, effects of streamlining on speed of boats through water.

SEE LESSON PLAN : PLANT GROWING CONDITIONS LEVEL C

SEE DATA LOGGER HANDOUT (TRAINING MATERIALS SECTION)