About sensors
There is a branch of technology where
the product is not words, pictures or web pages but nevertheless offers to shift
what happens in classrooms onto a new level. Here electronic devices or sensors
take readings in science experiments as the computer displays them on a graph.
It is fun, enthralling and a core school activity. In primary schools, sensors are
incredibly handy tools for learning about graphs and measuring. It’s not hard
to take a light sensor and measure the brightness of the room all day and night.
You can pop the graph into PowerPoint and get the pupils to label what happened
when.
You can do the same with a temperature sensor to see
the heating comes on and off. You might even conclude that you're overheating
the building. A sound sensor can be unusually good value - if you leave the room you
can check if the class has been quiet. Or place it on your chest and you may
pick up a heartbeat. More forays into electronic measuring - seeing how
things cool, which clothes keep you warmest are the starting points of
investigating science. While some schools go far with this,
many will be happy with as basic a kit as possible. Price is a good guide to
what’s appropriate with kits starting at £100 and rising to £200. Read below for
pointers to what we think is best at the moment. Then check out our Data logging pages for Equipment. You'll find some
experiment ideas here too and more primary oriented ideas in our book.
LogIT Explorer **** - www.dcpmicro.com
The LogIT Explorer Junior data logger has won awards and been the subject of
praise. It's the lead for the primary choice and it's won a BETT
award too. It has built-in
sensors and there’s a choice of traditional serial or USB connectors (for the
newest PCs and Macs). It’s also available as part of the RM
Curriculum Window Box Plus. Buy from RM; Timstar www.timstar.co.uk ; Griffin Education or Commotion
Earth, Sun and Moon is a set of five interactives designed for the QCA primary
science scheme of work 5e - 'Earth, Sun and Moon'. A clever, and sound set of
materials that I think you'll enjoy teaching with. Topics covered Day and
night; The Moon’s orbit ; The Earth’s orbit. A new title (2007) covers forces.
Data Harvest **
This firm also have a logger for primary schools - it's a tough choice
between the current and award winning and the LogIT Explorer
(above). What 'Easy Sense Q' lacks in design for the job is made up for with good software.
Look up Data Harvest at Where do I get this stuff. The old
model - 'Ecolog' was a troublesome battery eater while the LogIT Explorer
(above) has the best battery performance that I've seen.
Lego ****
The Lego people have some very interesting resources for measuring and control
technology. In 2006 we'll see the NXT, a major upgrade on the RCX intelligent
brick and quite likely to be the most stimulating means to all manner of robotic
projects. Both RCX and NXT really take 'control' where it is headed See LEGO
List of brilliant and good resources
(Download pdf: Choice ICT
resources 2005
IT in Primary Science ** - book
- Good ideas don't date so we're recommending this despite the fact that
you're probably doing a quarter of it already and we've not touched on
Whiteboards or Internet. If not, it's worth a look. To get yourself a copy of our IT in Primary
Science Book - last updated 2004.
- Update your copy of IT in Primary Science with these pages from the
Reference Section at the back. It's free to download, no catches at all. IT in
Primary Science 2004 - pp123 to 132.
Junior Data logging Insight **
- Check the press release on our blog The Probe Or visit
the supplier www.logo.com
Science activity ideas **
- Free science activities for using IT and primary science for the QCA
(UK) Scheme of Work - search for "Primary Focus" at Becta's 'Virtual
Teachers Centre (March 2000). Nearby look for "Using web based resources in
primary science"
Classification with tree or branching database programs ***
Software for the younger ones (age 6+)
- Sherston's Badger Trails ** - www.sherston.co.uk is worth a look.
- 2Simple ** at www.2Simple.com have a
number of Key stage 1 titles. The Video Toolkit is the one to go for. It's
clunky but appropriate software .
- Software for setting tests *** - www.testbase.co.uk Read the review of Exampro (similar to Testbase) - a tool to help assemble
tests for age 5 and beyond.
Archived articles and reviews at More
Training days
- Roger Frost does talks and hands-on training days for schools. If you need an
in-school INSET session please get in touch. Read more about his work at Train & Consult
Goodies on other sites:
- Download a copy of the electric circuit simulator Crocodile
Clips Elementary (1Mb ~12 mins) ***
- Neat science games extracted Microsoft's brilliant free demo Skeleton
puzzle game from Microsoft's Magic Bus CD-Rom series has been removed. -
thanks Microsoft. Microsoft's also brilliant Explorapedia - has also been deleted. Thanks
again chaps - some companies have more stamina than others.
The Dutch edition of IT in
Primary Science (out of stock)
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