1.

0 Introduction

The fast growing technology has influences the direction of learning process
especially in science practical or laboratory class. The practical activity in science
such as experiment has always been observation and measurement. So, we are
exposed to a variety of instruments that can observe and measure. A collection of
results are known as data and will present in graph and table form. Currently, by using
modern computer we can assist this process of handling data that we called as “data
logging”. Data logging is a process of measuring and recording data over a period of
time via a data-logger and sensors. This process is controlled by software running on a
computer or on a data-logger itself. By using the appropriate software, data can be
displayed in various forms, including graphics for visual interpretation.

Usually during science theory classes, students do not have the opportunity to
verify the appropriateness of the information that the teacher is putting forward. The
use of ICT which incorporates data logging will significantly ease the situation as
students will be able to develop logical understanding of the abstract concept and at
the same time, obtain confirmation on the truthfulness of the underlying processes.
Other benefit for students by using data logging is it can measure several physical
quantities at a time because to measure changes in physical quantities with
commonly-used apparatus is difficult and need more than one student to handle. So,
these drawbacks are overcome with data logging. Furthermore, by using data logging
we can measure the changes that are difficult to measure. For example, the
temperature of a small quantity of liquid, infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation or the
signal emitted or received by a mobile phone.

There are a few basic parts of data logging system. First is sensor device that
responds to some physical property of the environment include temperature, pressure,
light intensity, sound, position, magnetic flux, voltage, current, etc. Next is interface
box that function to convert the voltage signal of the sensor to a digital signal, which
can be read by the computer. An interface box is similar to a modem. The interface is
connected to the computer via a serial port of the computer. Other part is a computer
with appropriate software. Specialized computer software is required so that the
computer can interpret and process the signals from the interface box. Among the
functions performed by this software, it manages the storage, display, and analysis of

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data. Data can be displayed in a suitable form on the screen. This could take the form
of tables, numerical values in the form of large digits. The computer software is also
capable of data handling, i.e. the plotting of graphs, curve fitting, statistical
manipulation, etc.

2.0 Engage: Brain Storming

In order to introduce this data logging and its application in science education,
teachers can used 4e’s method which are engage, empower, enhance and extension.
Engage is a brainstorming step which its main objective is to trigger the students’
mind and interest. Engage step is important to stimulate and identify students’
knowledge about a certain topic. As example, the topic about Measure Color
Brightness experiment was chosen to explain more about the 4e’s model in the data
logging.

However, to encourage students’ to think deeply about this topic, the main
objective was not told yet instead, teacher can ask students about something. In this
chosen topic, the topic was modify with “What color should a cyclist wear?”. The
teachers will ask the students this question to know how deep the students’ knowledge
about the color brightness. The students’ answer was the general idea about the
experiment that they going to be conducted. That is the brain storming activity that
teachers can carry out for engage step.

Instead of asking question, teachers also can tell their students that the cyclists
need to be seen. So, teacher can ask for their students’ opinion about what color that
they usually saw the cyclist wear. The teachers can know how much their students’
experience about the experiment. This engage step is as same as the briefing about the
experiment. Teachers also can discuss the road safety aspects of walking and cycling
in the evening. Teacher can show the high statistic of accidents which happened to the
cyclists nowadays. Students will be excited and interested to do more about the topic.
This is the kind of questions that teachers can ask students in engage step.

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3.0 Empower

The second step is empower which can be define as the explanation to the issue
that had been raised in the engage step. In this step, teachers have to give students a
sense of confidence or self-esteem in term of education. In order to question about
“what color should a cyclist wear?” the students conduct the experiment to measure
the color brightness for different fabric. The experiment is as follow:

3.1 Introduction:

Most substances reflect some light and that’s the reason for us to see the color.
White light is a mixture of many colors mixed together. For example when white light
shines on a blue fabric, the fabric reflects blue and absorbs every color except blue.
Similarly a red fabric reflects red and absorbs all other colors. However, fluorescent
fabrics temporarily store and emit the light shining on them.

Source 1: http://jacobsir-colour-studies.weebly.com/

Cyclists need to be seen especially during the night. It is because the cyclists are
small and sometimes not recognize by other drivers. So that, to make sure that they
were seen by others, they should wear clothes which have the brightest color.
However, students do not know which fabric color is the brightest that suitable for the

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cyclists. In order to know the brightest fabric color, an experiment is conducted. The
objective for this experiment is to determine the brightest fabric color. Light sensor is
used to determine the light level of the fabric.

3.2 Apparatus and material:

Fabrics of different color, foil, shiny and dull fabrics in the same color, computer and
light sensor.

3.3 Procedure:

Source 2: http://www.ques10.com/p/6570/explain-in-detail-data-logger-1/

1. The light sensor was connected to the computer which had been installed with the
software. Ideally the light sensor should be clamped into a fixed position.

2. A desk lamp was used as a light source to illuminate the fabrics.

3. The sensor was place directed at or be very close to the fabrics.

4. Steps 2 and 3 were repeated by using different fabric color.

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3.4 Result:

Fabric Light Level

Black 25

Yellow cotton 37

Yellow plastic 44

Day-glo plastic 60

White 54

3.5 Discussion:

a. Which fabric absorbs more white light?

 A black fabric absorbs all the colors of white light.

b. Which fabric reflects more color back?

 A white fabric reflects more color back.

c. What fabric is the best choice for a cyclist?

 Shiny and fluorescent fabrics.

d. Explain your answer in 3.

 It is because shiny and fluorescent fabrics reflect even more light back and are
likely to be even best choice for a cyclist.

3.6 Conclusion:

The best fabric that the cyclist should wear is the shine and fluorescent fabrics.

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4.0 Enhance

The next step is enhanced where the concepts students learned before were
applied in their real life. In this level, we are tried to shows the application that has been
used daily by using the concept that has been study. In other words, we take an example
which is close to the students, so they will more understand when they related it to thing
that they are familiar with.

Therefore, signboard is the best examples to show how the color affect the
brightest of signboard especially road signboard. As we know, the color used in
signboard is normally bright blue, green, yellows, red and so on. The color will reflect
even more back when the structure of color is shiny and fluorescent. So, the signboard
usually have their own color standard to make sure the light give an effect which is
make the picture of signboard appears more clear during night and do not dazzling
during day.

The reflection of color on the signboard caused by the light that exposed to it
which means the color on signboard will absorb or reflect the light back when they
reach to it. The brightest of reflection is depends on what color been used. Hence, it is
important to us to know and aware with the condition of light of our vehicle before we
start any journey especially during night.

Source 3: http://anugraharts.net/index.php/modular-sign-systems/

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 The other example is the color of road line which is usually white and yellow.
The color chosen for drawing the line used the same concept as the signboard. White
and yellow will absorb less light and reflect even more the light back. So, drivers can be
more aware when they see the lines clearly during day and night due to the good
reflection of the colors.

Source 4: http://iamtraffic.org/engineering/crossing-double-yellow-line/

Last but not least, the knowledge of the concept being more strong and easily
achieved by the student through enhance step. The simple experiments with the help of
reality scenario give positive feedback to the students and they can use it wisely in any
principles of life indirectly.

5.0 Extension

After enhance, the last step is extension. Extension is the ways where we want
to test either the students understand or not about the concept explained. The test can
comes by doing a simple exercise, question, an experiment, quiz and more.

Back to the experiment shown above, it is discuss about the color will reflects
little light back when the fabrics is black because the black fabric absorbs all the color
of white. Otherwise, the white fabric will absorbs little light and reflects most color
back. So, from this concept of knowledge, the extension step can be test to see the level
of understanding of the students.

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 The students can use their skills to find the whether fabrics look as bright in the
evening. Which is they should test the fabrics under poor lighting conditions. The
results tables should be extended by one column for this second set of results which
means by using the same table of results students can add more column to see the
differences. They may find some fabrics change their position from the previous table.
For example, a shiny fabric will not reflect much light under poor lighting.

Besides that, teachers can also test the students’ understanding by giving a
statement about situation and ask them to predict the outcome. For example, teachers
can show the picture which is contains different images with different color are overlap
to each other. Then, the students are provided with acrylic perspex consist of red, green,
yellow, blue and others to see the picture. The students were asked how many images
are seen by them through the perspex. As all know, the different color of perspex will
show different images which is the concept of reflection and absorption of light is
applied.

Source 5: http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/samples/SAMPLE-ACRYTRANSPARENT

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 Lastly, this step is good for better understanding and it can give meaningful
experience to the students when they can applied and carry out an activities from the
concept learned. Other than it creates an experience, it also can develop student critical
thinking skills as well.

6.0 Conclusion

We can conclude that data logger bring benefits to both teachers and students in
teaching and learning process. Thus, we as a future science teacher should be able to
implement data logger in school because it helps students to develop problem-solving
skills and encourages students to question, predict and hypotheses about the results of
their laboratory practical work.

Besides that, the using of data logger gives opportunities for interdisciplinary
study. Interdisciplinary study is the study which student can combine and apply their
knowledge from different subject during other lesson. So, it will encourage the
productivity of country.

It also important for students to get an insight into how scientists work and this
should be reflected in the classroom. Knowledge and familiarity with new
technologies also help students for their future careers in the technological industries.
In addition, it is important that students are equipped for the technology-rich world in
which they live. It is clear that the used of data logger in learning process give
benefits to the learners especially students.

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7.0 References

i. Frost, R. (2002). The IT in Science book of Data Logging and Control. Russet
House Cambridge.

ii. Retrieved from

https://www.slideshare.net/sayamat/data-logging-15498876

iii. Retrieved from

https://www.slideshare.net/PeiXianChang/data-logging-engage-empower-and-enhanc
e

iv. Retrieved from

https://www.slideshare.net/KesavartiniiBalaKrisnain/data-logging-3-e-model-153294
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