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Reading Description:
Gipps, J. (2004). So many data loggers! Teaching science, 50(3), 32-37.
Reading Description Disclaimer:
(This reference information is provided as a guide only, and may not conform to the required
referencing standards for your subject)
So Many Data Loggers!
John Gipps, works in Faculty of Education, Monash UniversityIntroduction.
D
ata loggers can be used for a variety of purposes; for class demonstrations, set-piece practicals, explorations of scientific questions and environmental fieldwork. There are many brands of data loggers around which differ in ease of use, power of software, range of probes, ability to operate remotely and, of course, cost. This article looks at the characteristics of some of the data loggers currently available in Australia.What do you want in a data logger?
There are at least six areas where the use of interfacing technology can be useful:
• As part of a group project, where the members of the group devise and refine the investigation, program the computer to perform the necessary practical work and come to their conclusions on the basis of the results generated by the computer.
• As a means of giving new "life" to the presentation of a traditional topic.
• As a part of, say, a Predict-Observe Explain demonstration where you may wish to repeat the experiment with variations suggested by students.
• As part of an experiment which requires elaborate graphing best done by a spreadsheet.
• As part of a practical that requires very rapid timing.
• As part of a practical that requires data logging over a long period. The teaching and learning aspects of using data loggers are addressed in much greater depth in Barton (1997), Cox (2000), Frost (1999), Gipps (2001), Gipps (2002), Gipps (2003) and Newton (1997).
Before selecting a data logging system you should have decided what you want to do with it. For example, if you want to have class practicals with simple experiments then a number of very basic interfaces with a limited
range of cheap probes could be the way to go. Or you may want just one or two more sophisticated data loggers to perform a wide range of
demonstrations. Investigative project work will require that you can obtain (and afford) a comprehensive set of probes. If you are dealing solely with primary or junior secondary students then the friendliness of the software might be a bigger consideration than the capacity of the hardware. The remote logging capabilities of the system will be all-important if you want to do a lot of work in the outside environment. You should also think about how readily the system you choose can be expanded to suit requirements that may arise as you and your colleagues discover further scope for data logging.
Some questions you might need to ask when comparing data logging systems.
• What is the cost of a single set and a class set?
• What is the cost of the probes? • What is the cost of a single licence
and site licence for the software?
By John Gipps
• How user-friendly and versatile is the software?
• How extensive is the data analysis capacity of the software?
• Can data be transferred to (or from) a spreadsheet?
• Are there experimental manuals and built-in experimental settings? • How easy is it for you to design
your own experiments?
• Will it work with both PC and Mac, and what level of computer is required?
• Does it work with a hand-held computer?
• Does it use serial ports, USB or both?
• What is the range of probes, and how easy is it to get new probes? • Are the probes 'smart' probes? • How accurate and precise are the
probes and across what range of values?
• Are the probes interchangeable with those of any other brand? • How many inputs can the system
• Does it take both analogue and digital inputs?
• Does it have outputs suitable for control activities?
• Can it be used as a stand-alone meter?
• Can it act as a remote data logger? • Can it be programmed
independently of a computer? • How much data per experiment
can it store?
• How many experiments can it store?
• What is the maximum rate of data capture and rate of transfer to computer?
• Are the box and the probes robust? • Could the system be useful in both
primary and secondary schools? • What is the technical support like
and is there a guarantee? • How useful is the website in
providing information and upgrades?
This is a formidable list of
requirements and no one system will be entirely satisfactory with all of them. The question you need to ask is whether the system you are looking at satisfies the requirements that are important for your purposes. Smart' probes, which contain a chip or resistor which enables them to be identified (autodetected) by the logger system software. 'Smart' probes are useful because they are incorporated into the experiment immediately you attach them to the interface or logger. You do not have to tell the software what they are or where they are; it already knows. On the other hand, smart probes are usually not
interchangeable between brands, and sometimes cannot be used with earlier versions of the same brand software and interface. The latest version of an interface or logger may not take earlier 'dumb' probes. And if you are using saved experimental settings it may not matter if the probes are 'smart'.
Some Common Data Loggers in Australian Schools.
Below are brief descriptions of seven educational data logging systems. There are undoubtedly other systems in schools, but these are some of the most commonly used. Some systems may have suppliers additional to
those given contact details for. The prices shown are intended merely as a guide for what you might expect to pay for a single interface or logger, sometimes with software and some probes included. For current prices you should contact the supplier of the equipment. Prices may be reduced for larger quantities of equipment, and site licences may enable a number of systems to be run at a much lower software cost per system than that shown below. Some suppliers also offer packages which include an interface, software and probes selected for a particular area of the curriculum (such as physics, biology or
chemistry). For probes only the cheapest, the most expensive, and, for direct comparison, the standard temperature probe (-10 to llOOC or similar range). Web sites were last accessed on 30 June 2004.
CBL (Calculator-Based Lab)
Texas Instruments produce the CBL2 (calculator-based logger) and CBR (calculator-based ranger) systems to work with a variety of their graphing calculators, notably the TI-83+. The CBL2 costs $360 (this includes temperature, light and voltage sensors), the CBR $170 and a TI-83+ $170 (depending on the 'edition'). Probes range from $30 (voltage) to $625 (radiation), while a standard temperature probe is $111. The DataMate software to operate the data loggers and enable them to talk to the
calculator is free, but Graphlink and TI-Interactive software to enable data to be processed by a computer will cost extra . The earlier CBL with the TI-83 and old Graphlink software was (in my opinion anyway) a nightmare to use for anyone not familiar with the operation of graphing calculators, but the combination of CBL2, TI-83+ (with its 'Apps' button), DataMate software and TI-interactive has made life much easier. Graphical analysis is obviously comprehensive, as you have available to you the functions of the graphing calculator. There are no less than 24 books and manuals on the CBL or CBL2, and a further three referring to the CBR. There are also hundreds of programs and experimental settings available by subscription from the web site. You can also enter your own programs through the computer, information is added directly onto the calculator or through the keyboard that can be connected to the calculator. Through Graphlink the systems can connect to both Mac and PC, Windows 95 to XP, using serial ports and USB. There are 40 different probes, the latest of which are 'smart' and can be autodetected by the software. The CBL2 takes up to three analogue probes and one digital port, but there are no outputs suitable for control activities. It can store 12,000 data points per experiment and can collect data at 10,000Hz, or, if the sensors allow 'fast' mode, up to 20,000
I Figure 2. Computer Interface and Experiment with Conductivity
Hz. At the other extreme it can take data at intervals of about five hours. The CBL2 can collect data and display it on the calculator LCD screen (and on a TI overhead projector LCD screen) or it can log data
independently of the calculator. The CBR is an ultrasonic motion detector which collects data at 200 Hz. Texas Instruments have extensive
professional development and trial equipment loan schemes.
Victorian Agents:
Texas Instruments
2/750 Blackburn Rd, Clayton, Vic 3168 Ph. 1300 138 140
e-mail [email protected] Or: [email protected]
Texas instruments may not sell to you directly, but they will refer you to the most appropriate retailer for your state and region.
Related Web Sites:
http://www.ti.com/calc/docs/cbl.htrn http://education.ti.com/educationport al/index. jsp
http://vernier.com/
Data Harvest
This equipment is made in the United Kingdom and is widely used there, although as the pound is still somewhat overvalued against the Australian dollar it is a little on the expensive side. This is improving. The Australian agents Serrata and Southern Biological offer free workshops and backup service which may be adequate compensation for
the higher initial costs. The 'Easy Sense Advanced' data logger with remote logging costs $899, while the 'Easy Sense Fast' interface, with no remote capacity, costs $635. Probes range from $58 (switch) to $650 (Geiger counter), with the standard temperature probe at $128. A single licence for the 'Sensing Science' software is $199 and a site licence (for both school and staff personal computers) $550. There are starter packages at significant discounts to list price. The software is generally intuitive, but I found that some aspects of the graph setup are not. Also, the graph does not rescale or scroll over during an experiment, although it can be rescaled afterwards. Graphical analysis covers basic functions, but data can be transferred via the clipboard to a spreadsheet or the 'Data Maths' software. There are ninety pre-recorded experiments with illustrations and settings on an optional extra CD, and you can create your own experimental settings and student worksheets. The system runs on both Mac and PC, Windows 95 to XP and at present uses the serial port only, although a USB adapter is available. There is a separate program designed for use with primary levels. There are 34 different 'SmartQ' probes which can be autodetected by the software, with more being released during this year. Each data logger or interface takes up to six analogue probes or two digital
and four analogue, but there are no outputs suitable for control activities. The Advanced logger has an internal temperature sensor, can store 4,000 data points in multiple sets, and can download to a computer without interrupting an experiment in progress. Set in 'fast' mode it can capture data at 28,000 Hz, while at the other extreme it can take data at hourly intervals for up to 35 days.
N.S.W. Agents: Serrata Pty Ltd PO Box 73 Galston NSW 2159 e-mail: [email protected] Victorian Agents: Southern Biological
19 Worrell St, Nunawading, Vic 3131 Ph. (03) 98774597 or (03) 98779396 e-mail: [email protected] or
Related Web Site:
http://data-harvest.co.uk/
Southern Biological is also an agent for Philip Harris.
Related Web Site:
http://www.philipharris.eo.uk/index. html
Fourier Systems
This equipment is made in Israel and is used extensively in Europe and South East Asia. The 'Multilog Pro' serial logger costs $999 with an additional $96 required for the USB/serial version. Software is included in the price. Probes range from $85 (microphone) to $750
(radiation counter), with the standard temperature probe costing $95. Some aspects of the software are not immediately intuitive, but it improves with practice. A major feature of the software is the facility to include video clips from a webcam. These clips can be synchronised to a graph so that , students can see the setup and the
events that occurred as the graph was being generated. It has been my experience that the direct visual relation of graphs to events is
a
powerful aid to student understanding of the graphs. Graphical analysis in the software includes a large range of functions for curve-fitting and there is also an 'Export to Excel' button. There are about sixty experiments described in manuals. The system runs on both Mac and PC, Windows 95 to XP, but Windows 98 is the minimum neededfor reliable USB operation. The Multilog Pro can be used at primary levels, but the EcologXL might be more suitable. There are over sixty different probes and there is an adapter which enables it to take Vernier probes as well. The Multilab software can autodetect the Fourier probes. The MultilogPro has four inputs, although this can be extended to eight with splitter cables, and up to two (four with splitter cables) of the inputs can be digital. Control activities are offered via control switch sensor cables which can be set to switch on or off when the attached sensor reading reaches a selected value. Fourier are developing a new system which will enable Fourier sensors to be used in conjunction with Lego or Fischertechnic. The
MultilogPro can operate remotely, displays an LCD graph and can store up to 100,000 points in multiple data files, or up to 100 separate
experiments. It can capture data at close to 21,000 Hz.
A smaller cousin of the MultilogPro is the 'EcologXL', which costs $665 each, less as class sets (software included), has five sensors (temperature, humidity, sound pressure and light) built in and can take another two MultilogPro sensors externally. The software is a reduced version of the Multilab, but with some features added to make it friendly to younger students. The Ecolab software is PC only (Windows 95 minimum, serial port and mini USB), but a Mac version is imminent. Data can be transferred between Ecolab and Multilab if advanced data processing is needed. This system is essentially designed for environmental activities by primary students, and does this job quite well. The resolution of the built-in sensors has improved from the earlier Ecolog and the speed of capture is now up to 50 Hz, although at one point every half-hour it can operate remotely for up to 41 days. Fourier is now distributing the 'Trilog' triple-platform logger, which will run up to eight sensors and connect to Palm hand held computers.
Australian agents: Paul Nugent Ph. 1800 684 068
Or Ozintell
PO Box 467, Warners Bay, NSW 2282 Ph. (02) 49482200
e-mail [email protected]
Related web sites:
http://www.fourier-sys.com http://www.ozintell.com
Logical Interface
This equipment is made in Australia with the express purpose of enabling teachers to make use of probes they may already have from other systems. The 'Ezilog' box costs $390 with the software included in the price. The system takes Fourier, Vernier and Data Harvest smart probes. The software includes 'dials' for selecting settings, something I found disconcerting at first but soon got used to. Graphical analysis in the software is basic, but transfer to Excel is easy enough. There are about a hundred experiments with settings in a CD. The system runs on both Mac and PC, Windows 98 to XP, with the latest version being USB only. The Ezilog
box has two inputs, although this can be extended to four with splitter cables (although smart probes can't be split), and the inputs can be digital. The two inputs can also act as outputs suitable for some control activities. The Ezilog box can operate remotely, can be programmed from its own keypad and stores up to 100,000 data points in up to 100 sets. It can capture data at about 20,000 Hz or as slow as 1 per hour.
Manufacturers:
Phil Jones
The Logical Interface
96 Fowler Rd, Illawong, NSW 2234 Ph. (02) 95410367
e-mail: [email protected] The Logical Interface also sell Fourier equipment.
Related Web Site:
http://www.logint.com.au
ANSTO Tours
Nuclear science and technology in Australia: what does it entail?
• Medicine? • Power?
• Homer Simpson?
An educational, fun way to find out more is by going on a guided tour of ANSTO's southern Sydney site. ANSTO is the Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation.
Tours with a physics, chemistry and environmental focus are available. Each provides an excellent opportunity for students to enhance their understanding of these areas and learn about practical applications of nuclear science and technology.
These tours are the only ones in Australia where you can go inside a nuclear research reactor. Visitors can also see the building progress of the Replacement Research Reactor, a state of the art facility that will, among other contributions to Australian society, help meet the country's nuclear medicine needs for many years to come Visitors to ANSTO's site are required to meet at its Reception Centre and complete a visitor information form. Suitable footwear is required. Bags, back-packs, cameras and all other photographic and recording devices are not permitted.
ANSTO also offers a speakers bureau service and is happy to organise a presentation to your school. Presenters come from right across the broad range of scientific areas ANSTO works in, which allows us to tailor presentations.
Tour bookings can be arranged on telephone 02 9717 3111, Fax 02 9717 9274, or
[email protected] www.ansto.gov.au
Australian Government
Qnsto
Australian Nuclear Science & Technology OrganisationNuclear Science and Technology ... benefiting all Australians
Pasco
This equipment is made in the United States by one of the largest
manufacturers of science education equipment. Like the pound the US dollar was overvalued against the Australian dollar so Pasco equipment was expensive, but this appears to be improving. The latest PasPort system does not use a large interface box but has instead individual probes attached to USB links. With the use of a USB hub up to eight probes and links can be run simultaneously. With a hub, Powerlink interfaces and
multimeasure probes it is possible to take 144 simultaneous measurements, although I can't think at the moment why I would want to do that! Probes range from $20 (rapid response thermistor) to $560 (Carbon dioxide in air), with a standard temperature probe at $76. USB links are $130 each, a suitable quadruple USB hub is about $40, the Lite version of the software is free and a site licence for the full version is $780. A dialogue box offering the alternative of loading the software comes up automatically when the USB detects that a sensor has been attached. I found aspects of the graph setup and rescaling to be rather irritating, but this may only be a function of the 'Lite' version of the Data Studio software that I was using. The full program has a very extensive data handling capacity, and the distributors say that users are more likely to transfer data from a spreadsheet to Data Studio than vice versa. There is also the EZScreen software that is designed for primary levels. Pasco produces experiment manuals for biology, chemistry, physics, general science and environmental science and there is a large number of experiments with illustrations and settings that can be downloaded from their web site. The system runs on both Mac and PC, Windows 98 to XP, and uses the USB port only. There are 46 different probes, all of which are 'smart' and can be autodetected by the software. Some of the latest sensors are 'multisensors', which can record up to six different measurements
simultaneously and are quite reasonably priced in terms of dollars per available measurement. With the use of a new adapter the earlier Pasco probes, and some probes from other
brands, can be used with the PasPort system, although the PasPort probes are not designed to be used with any earlier Pasco data logger. There are currently no outputs suitable for control activities, although Pasco are working on that aspect.
While the USB link sensors have no remote logging capacity, the PasPort Xplorer does. A single Xplorer costs $333 and uses the same probes and software as the USB link system. When an Xplorer is connected via USB to the computer a dialogue box comes up automatically informing you if there are data sets stored in the interface and asking if you want to download these sets. The Xplorer can store up to 50,000 data points in up to 100 sets, and can capture data at 1000 Hz or as slow as 1 per day. Each Xplorer takes only one sensor and has no outputs for control activities. The Xplorer can merge data from up to a hundred non-concurrent sensors, and the Data Studio software can merge data from up to 132 Xplorers - useful for extensive environmental surveys. Pasco have also released a Powerlink interface which can run three or more sensors and be connected to a Palm hand-held computer.
Australian Agents:
Doug Bail Cider House 63 Monkhouse Drive Endeavour Hills, Vic 3802 Ph. (03) 97007769
e-mail: [email protected]
Related Web Sites:
http://www.ciderhouse.com.au http://www.pasco.com/
Tain
This equipment is made in Melbourne and is widely used in most Australian states. The 'Fielder' data logger costs $560, while the 'TecMaster' and 'TecTrio' interfaces, with no remote capacity, cost $580 and $200 respectively. Probes range from $15
(thermocouple) to $395 (dissolved oxygen), with a standard temperature probe costing $30. A site licence for the Windows software is $165. The software is reasonably friendly, supports current and most earlier Iain interface boxes and allows plenty of scope for calibrating probes and adjusting experimental settings. There
is also a version of the software designed specifically for primary level activities. Graphical analysis is minimal, but data can be transferred readily to a spreadsheet. There are about 130 experimental settings included in the software, and five manuals of experiments (one of which is written for the Primary levels), although the inexpensive nature of the probes makes this system highly suitable for investigative work where students design their own experiments. The system is designed to run on the PC, but adapters and supplementary software exist for the Mac. Although the interfaces are essentially serial port devices, Iain have designed their own USB adapter to allow the equipment to be used reliably with the most recent notebook computers. The system requires at least Windows 95, but Windows 98SE is the minimum for the USB adapter and a couple of high speed applications. There are about 45 different probes, which are very reasonably priced. None of the sensors are 'smart', which means that earlier probes can be used with the current interfaces and most of the recent probes can be used with earlier interfaces. The TecMaster interface takes up to seven analogue or digital inputs and has eight outputs suitable for control activities. Two of these outputs are relays, which can enable the interface to control substantial power supplies. It also has inputs for an ultrasonic displacement sensor and a microphone, and its. ability to collect data at up to 500,000 Hz makes it particularly suitable for experiments involving timing or sound wave capture.
The TecFour has four analogue or digital inputs and the additional ultrasonic sensor input, the TecTrio has three analogue or digital inputs and four outputs suitable for control activities, while the Fielder logger has four analogue or digital inputs but no outputs for control. The Fielder can store 16,000 data points in multiple sets and can capture data at 10 Hz, or as slow as hourly intervals for more than a year.
Manufacturers: Tain Electronics
10 Rowern Crt, Box Hill North, Vic 3129
Ph. (03) 98987366 e-mail: [email protected] Discussion Group e-mail: [email protected]
Related Web Site:
http://www.tainlab.com/
Vernier Software
In ancient times Vernier made do-it yourself kits for the Apple Ile, but now they mainly sell software and probes for use with other American data logging systems. The Vernier Lab Pro is designed to operate as an
independent logger, connected to a computer or in conjunction with a Texas Instruments TI-83+ calculator and is essentially a beefed-up version of the CBL2. The Lab Pro logger costs $690, the software is $210 and the range and cost of probes is as for the CBL2. Vernier 'Graphical Analysis' software is somewhat friendlier than the basic TI Graphlink program. It
shows
a
graph and tablesimultaneously while the experiment is proceeding, and its graphical analysis includes a large range of functions for statistics and curve fitting. There are eight experimental manuals available and about 180 experimental settings on CD. The system uses serial or USB and runs on both Mac and PC, Windows 95 to XP, but Windows 98 is the minimum needed for reliable USB operation. The Lab Pro box has four analogue inputs and two digital, (one more of each than the CBL2) but no outputs suitable for control. When operating as a remote logger (independently or attached to a TI-83+) it can store up to 12,000 points in multiple data files. When attached to the calculator it can plot a graph on the calculator's LCD display. It can capture data at up to
50,000 Hz.
Victorian agents:
Haines Educational
20 Dalgety St Oakleigh Vic 3166 Ph. (03) 95724744
e-mail: [email protected]
Related Web Sites:
http://www.vernier.com/
http://www.haineslearning.com.au/
And Three I Didn't Mention.
Three systems I have not mentioned above, but which are widely used in schools are Fischertechnik, Intellecta and Lego. Intellecta is an Australian company which, from a very early stage, has used the stringing together of icons as a means of programming sensing and control activities. Unfortunately I have had difficulty getting from them information other than what is presently on their web site. Despite this, they have some innovative ideas and are well worth looking at. I use Lego and
Fischertechnik entirely for control and robotic activities, but both of these systems have a data logging facility, and the distributors are keen to emphasize that. I give below some contact details if you want to see what they have to offer.
Fischertechnik Australian Agents:
Procon Technology
PO Box 655, Mt Waverley, Vic 3149 Ph. (03) 98306288
e-mail: [email protected] Or: [email protected]
Related Web Site:
http://wwwl.tpgi.com.au/users/p8king /pking.htm Intellecta Manufacturers: Intellecta Technologies 51 George St, Thebarton SA 5031 Ph. (08) 83518288 e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Related Web Site:
http://www.intellecta.net/
Lego Dacta
Victorian Agents: Moore Educational 78 Napier Crescent, Essendon, Vic 3040
Ph. (03) 93728728 or 1800 684068 e-mail: [email protected]
Australian Agents
Lego Australia
P.O. Box 4151, Lane Cove NSW 2066 Ph (02) 9428 9666
Related Web Site:
http://www.lego.com/eng/
TEACHING SCIENCE I VOLUME 50 No 3 I SPRING 2004
References.
Barton, R. (1997) Does doto logging dmnge the nature of children's thinking in experimentul work in science? In Using Infhmm!ion
1echrwlogy Effr:etively in Teaching and Leaming. Lds, Somekh, R und Davis, K Rou1ledge, London,
Cox, M. (2000) Information and communications technologies: their role and value for science education, in M. Monk and J. Osborne (eds),
Good Practice in Science Teaching: What Research Has to Say. Buckingham U.K., Open University Press.
Frost, It (1999) Doto Logging in Pructit:e.
rr
in Science, London. Gipps, J. (2001) Inquiry learning with 'real' science. ICT in Education, 24(1), 29-33.Gipps, I, (2002) Dutu logging and i.nqul.ry leaming in sdence. Computer., fn Education 2001: Austrnlion Topics, (Hdt>.) McDougull, A., Murnane, J,S. oml Chambers, D. Melbourne, Austmllon Computer Society. Gipps, J. (2003) Science education for the future; computer technology and discovery learning. The 48th International Council on Education for Teaching World Assembly, Melbourne. Newton, L 0997) Gruph talk: some obsttrvatlons and reflecllons on students' doto logging, School Sdence Review, 79(276!, :U,9, John Gipp$ FL1Culty oi EduoJLinn ;\,JunL!5h University Vic 3800 Ph (03i 9YOS28l7 rox i03) 99QS2779 ]l)[email protected] 37
