Data collection using modern data logging systems is revolutionizing the face of school science labs around the world. Information that was previously tedious to collect, subject to much guess work and often difficult for many students to visualize or draw any actual learning value from, can now be displayed in a clear, graphical and easy to understand fashion with graphical data logger technology, also referred to as probeware with sensors, designed specifically for science education.

Using probeware technology and interfacing directly with the computer, these data logging devices collect information from a wide array of sensor types and assimilate it into easy to interpret, graphical representations. This information can be monitored while it is being collected or stored for future use. This makes the compilation of reports and presentations much easier.

The real-time nature of the displayed data is also a great plus for these devices as information can be monitored as they are picked up by the sensors. This allows for a far more immediate view of the results of any experiment and a more accurate understanding of the implications and causes of the data that is being collected.

One of the data logging devices that offers 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. Data stored on the unit can also be printed directly from it or copied onto another memory device via the USB port.

The Vision can also display directly through a projector or monitor for greater visibility and exposure. Sensors attached to the unit are auto identified and calibrated which makes the system as a whole quick and easy to set up and use. In addition data collection is extremely 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 data 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 considering its impressive feature set measuring a scant 160 x 115 x 53 mm and weighing in at 410 g.

The software used in the Vision is really simple and intuitive and takes very little time to learn. This makes teaching students a little easier as they don’t have to deal with teaching their students how to use a complex system before they can start teaching science. Data stored on the unit can be saved and then used directly from the SmartSense suite on the PC.

Data collection is now, 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 easier to grasp and gives students who have problems visualizing plain numeric data the benefit of clear and easy to understand visual representation that can greatly accelerate the learning process.