Data collection using modern information logging systems is revolutionizing the face of school science labs around the world. Data that was previously tedious to collect, subject to significantly guess work and frequently tough for a lot of students to visualize or draw any actual studying value from, can now be displayed in a clear, graphical and simple to comprehend fashion with graphical data logger technologies, also referred to as probeware with sensors, created particularly for science education.
Using probeware technology and interfacing directly with the laptop or computer, these data logging devices collect info from a wide array of sensor sorts and assimilate it into simple to interpret, graphical representations. This data can be monitored while it is being collected or stored for future use. This makes the compilation of reports and presentations much less complicated.
The real-time nature of the displayed data is also a great plus for these devices as data can be monitored as they are picked up by the sensors. This enables for a far much more immediate view of the results of any experiment and a far more accurate understanding of the implications and causes of the information that is being collected.
1 of the data logging devices that provides considerable benefits in the realm of physics, biology, environmental science and chemistry is the SmartSense Vision. This compact datalogger has 4 sensor ports that can assimilate data simultaneously and is compatible with the entire SmartSense range of 40 sensors and when used with an adaptor can accept Vernier sensors as well.
The unit features a touch sensitive, full color screen to display internal software that mimics the PC version. The device has a USB port so users can connect most peripherals such as a mouse or keyboard. Information stored on the unit can also be printed directly from it or copied onto an additional memory device via the USB port.
The Vision can also display directly via a projector or monitor for higher visibility and exposure. Sensors attached to the unit are auto identified and calibrated which makes the system as a whole fast and easy to set up and use. In addition data collection is incredibly accurate with sample rates in excess of 50,000 samples per second.
The lithium-ion battery gives long charge life with an average of 6 – 8 hours per charge when being used to analyze and display information or a full 14 days of data collection alone. The unit ships with a USB cable, AC adaptor and four sensor cables. The Vision is surprisingly light and compact contemplating its impressive feature set measuring a scant 160 x 115 x 53 mm and weighing in at 410 g.
The software utilized in the Vision is really basic and intuitive and takes quite small time to find out. This makes teaching students a little less complicated as they don’t have to deal with teaching their students how to use a complex system before they can start teaching science. Information stored on the unit can be saved and then utilized directly from the SmartSense suite on the PC.
Information collection is now, far more than ever, an invaluable scientific tool with data logging devices such as the Vision. The graphic, real-time nature of the data collected is now less complicated to grasp and gives students who have issues visualizing plain numeric data the benefit of clear and simple to understand visual representation that can significantly accelerate the studying process.

January 23rd, 2012
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