Abstract
Conventional high school physics labs rely on manual data logging or logging devices with a slow data acquisition rate and low precision. This study aims to design data-logging devices and a modelling tool for high school physics labs with low-cost modern electronics, including smartphones, Lego Mindstorms NXT and Arduino, equipped with an ultrasonic sensor. For NXT and smartphones, experimental data were first logged in the devices and then manually copied to a personal computer for data analysis. For Arduino, experimental data were transmitted to a PC via Bluetooth in real time. With the data in a PC, each student used a modelling tool on a Web browser to try to find an equation that fitted the data with a small error. The equation was a function that related one variable to another. For example, in a free-fall experiment, the equation expressed distance as a function of time. With each submitted equation, the tool plots the model against a background of lab data with a measure of error. Based on the visual plot and the error information, the student can then try to reduce the error by revising the equation. The results indicated that both students and the instructor enjoyed using the modern data loggers and the acquired data to find equations that fitted the data well.
Keywords
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Church, W., Ford, T., Perova, N., & Rogers, C. (2010). Physics with robotics using LEGO MINDSTORMS in high school education. In Proceedings from AAAI Spring Symposium (pp. 157–159). Palo Alto, CA.
Galeriu, C., Edwards, S., & Esper, G. (2014). An Arduino investigation of simple harmonic motion. The Physics Teacher, 52(3), 157–159.
Kaya, H., & Boyuk, U. (2011). Attitudes towards physics lessons and physical experiments of the high school students. European Journal of Physics Education, 2(1), 38–49.
Kuhn, J., & Vogt, P. (2013). Smartphones as experimental tools: Different methods to determine the gravitational acceleration in classroom physics by using everyday devices. European Journal of Physics Education, 4(1), 16–27.
Lesh, R., & Zawojewski, J. S. (2007). Problem solving and modeling. In F. Lester (Ed.), The second handbook of research on mathematics teaching and learning (pp. 763–804). Charlotte, NC: Information Age.
Martínez, L., & Garaizar, P. (2014a). Learning physics down a slide: A set of experiments to measure reality through smartphone sensors. In Proceedings of Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON) (pp. 1153–1156). Istanbul, Turkey: IEEE.
Martínez, L., & Garaizar, P. (2014b). Learning physics down a slide: A set of experiments to measure reality through smartphone sensors. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 8(3), 40–43.
Monteiro, M., Cabeza, C., Marti, A. C., Vogt, P., & Kuhn, J. (2014). Angular velocity and centripetal acceleration relationship. The Physics Teacher, 52(5), 312–313.
Papert, S. (1980). Computer-based microworlds as incubators for powerful ideas. In R. Taylor (Ed.), The computer in the school: Tutor, tool, tutee (pp. 203–210). New York: Teacher’s College Press.
Shih, B. Y., Chang, C. J., Chen, Y. H., Chen, C. Y., & Liang, Y. D. (2012). Lego NXT information on test dimensionality using Kolb’s innovative learning cycle. Natural Hazards, 64(2), 1527–1548.
White, B. Y., & Frederiksen, J. R. (2000). Technological tools and instructional approaches for making scientific inquiry accessible to all. In M. J. Jacobson & R. B. Kozma (Eds.), Innovations in science and mathematics education: Advanced designs for technologies of learning (pp. 321–359). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Wong, W. K., Chao, T. K., Chen, P. R., Lien, Y. W., & Wu, C. J. (2015). Pendulum experiments with three modern electronic devices and a modeling tool. Journal of Computers in Education, 2(1), 77–92.
Acknowledgements
This study is supported by the Department of International Cooperation and Science Education, Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, under contract 101-2511-S-224-001- and 102-2511-S-224-002-MY2.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Wong, WK., Guo, BS., Chao, TK., Wu, CJ., Lien, YW. (2018). A Study of High School Students Doing Physics Experiments with Arduino and Other Data-Logging Devices. In: Li, K., Yuen, K., Wong, B. (eds) Innovations in Open and Flexible Education. Education Innovation Series. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7995-5_23
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7995-5_23
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-10-7994-8
Online ISBN: 978-981-10-7995-5
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)