VideoLabs FlexCam iCam Technical Information download pdf (Page 33)

Many applications of ICT in support of science will be similar to those in other areas of

the school and include the following.

• Student information; attendance and performance (eg, electronic mark books,

tests).

• Timetabling.

• Library management, eg, book searches.

• Production and storage of paper and computer-based teaching resources (eg,

worksheets, presentations).

• Communication between teachers, technicians, suppliers, pupils, (eg, e-mail,

web sites and video conferencing).

• Research facilities for staff and pupils (from locally-stored information and the

Internet).

• Presentation of work (eg, word processing, desktop publishing, screen-based

presentations). The opportunity for pupils to share and develop resources

together is generally easier with well-managed ICT than with more traditional

paper-based systems.

Other applications more specific to the science department include the following.

• Administration of equipment and supplies by teachers and technicians (eg,

ordering, stock control, equipment monitoring and test records).

• Data collection from investigations in the school lab and further afield, eg,

using dataloggers (see section 16.10). Data may also be collected from specific

equipment, such as balances and colorimeters (see section 16.11).

• Data processing using equipment-specific software (eg, that supplied with a

datalogger) or using standard spreadsheet applications.

• Visualisations and virtual experiments, sometimes based on data collected by

others (eg, a solar eclipse in another part of the world or data from space probes).

16.9 Computer simulations of practical work

Software is available to simulate practical work and to allow virtual experimental inv-

estigations. Internet sites often offer various practical simulations free. Simulations

are particularly useful to consolidate ideas learnt following practical investigations in

the laboratory, but never as a substitute!

There is, of course, justification for the use of simulation software, where it would be

impossible to carry out a particular practical investigation in the laboratory, eg,

testing a nuclear reactor.

16.10 Datalogging

Datalogging is the collection, recording, processing and presentation of experimental

results by means of a computer-controlled system. Dataloggers have improved consid-

erably in recent years. The equipment is now generally much easier to set up and use.

Many time-consuming procedures such as sensor calibration, setting up communica-

tion protocols etc are now automated. Dataloggers typically now use ‘plug-and-play’

technology.

Used well, to build on basic measurement skills and data processing, dataloggers are

excellent tools to help explain scientific principles, and to enhance investigations and

demonstrations. The best systems allow pupils to concentrate on the science without

the datalogging technology becoming intrusive. Use of a datalogging system is a

requirement of the National Curriculum (see section 16.4.3).

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