Review for:Logger Pro

posted: on December 20, 2006 at 3:15PM

Physics

Motion (position vs. time, velocity vs. time graphs)

Students used the software to figure out how graphs were related to actual motion

Intro or Regular

LoggerPro is the computer program that went with the Vernier Motion Detectors (also known as Sonic rangers)
I do a lab where I give the kids a bunch of graphs, and tell them to walk back and forth in front of the computer tyring to match them. We start with position vs. time graphs, and then the second, harder page is velocity vs. time. I do not do acceleration vs. time graphs because the LoggerPro software does not average well enough to give a smooth line.

Provides visualization or animation, Increases graphing skills, Increases student engagement and motivation, allows kinesthetic learning

This is an instant-feedback toy that allows for an instant challenge to a student's misconceptions. You think that velocity vs. time graph that is a line that goes down from the 0 axis means "get slower?" well, try it. OH, you're wrong.... It's fun, the kids get involved with it and excited about it, they move about the room, they know when they are right.

The one problem with the software is that the line gets less "easy to read" as it averages (minor fluctutations from perfect constant acceleration still produce a curve on the x vs. t graph, a shaky line on the v vs. t graph, and a mess on the a vs. t graph. I just no longer have them match a vs. t