Monday, March 14, 2011

Science and Environment:

Respond to the question below individually and post your responses to this blog.

Data Logging
1. Describe what is meant by the term 'Data Logging'
2. Describe the hardware and software required to perform data logging.
3. Brainstorm and create a table of the advantages and disadvantages of data logging.
4. Discuss the use of data logging used by Science Teachers and Scientist doing research and development.

Quizz on data logging;

http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse/software/datalogging/students/shome_datalogging.htm

You can use the following;

Examples of logging in school:
http://www.hitchams.suffolk.sch.uk/datalogging/examples.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ict/measurecontrol/3dataloggingrev1.shtml

http://armsitgs.wetpaint.com/page/Data+Logging

2 comments:

Sajni said...

'data logging' refers to collecting or gathering data over a period of time.

Sensors are used to take readings or measurements at regular intervals of their environment.

The sensors could be collecting data on a wide range of thing such as temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed, water currents, electrical voltage, pH readings etc.

The sensors may be either analogue or digital. If they take analogue readings, an Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC) will be needed to convert the signal into digital data which the computer can understand.

As the sensor takes a reading, the data is sent though a cable or wireless link to the data logger.

The data logger usually stores the data for a period of time before sending it in a large batch to a computer which will process and analyse it.

A data logger is often a hand-held battery-operated device which has a large amount of memory

Advantages:
Data Logging can be used in remote or dangerous situations

Data logging can be carried out 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year

Time intervals for collecting data can be very frequent and regular, for example, hundreds of measurements per second

can be set up to start at a time in the future

No need to have a person present

Data logging is often more accurate because there is no likelihood of human error



DisadvantagesIf the data logging equipment breaks down or malfunctions, some data could be lost or not recorded

Equipment can be expensive for small tasks
The equipment will only take readings at the logging interval which has been set up. If something unexpected happens between recordings, the data will not be collected.

Social/Ethical Issues:

Reliability: Despite being run by computers, data logging still runs into reliability issues. A simple malfunction may cause untold damage. Data may also be unreliable if the measuring instruments are damaged or if there are faults in the logging software.

Control: As an instrument of control, Data logging improves the speed and reliability of many processes. It also my serve to control people in the instances such as red light running. A data logger is put in place and monitors the passing of cars through the light 24/7. If a red light is run, a picture is taken of the car's license plate. This effectively deters the running of red lights for most people.

People & Machines: Data logging allows for easier, quicker, and more precise recording of data, which lets people move on to other jobs. This may sound fantastic at first, but this also reduces the need for people in factories. This in conjunction with other IT's like robotics may greatly diminish the need for people in certain areas of business and science.


Ati, Immi and Sajni

Sajni said...

Other Hardware and Software:
A computer: Needed to process the recorded data.
Data Logging Software: Required for the computer to process data.
Databases: To store and organize the data.
Wireless Access (Internet): In the case that the data is required to be sent automatically.