Control and Monitoring

What is computer control?

Computer control is when instructions are programmed into a device, which makes it operate in a predetermined way.  Examples of this in everyday life include microwaves, burglar alarms, traffic lights and CCTV cameras.  We use computers to control things because they can repeat the same instruction in the same way multiple times, they never get tired or make mistakes, and they are cheaper to employ than humans!

 

In this session we looked at an example of computer control: programmable toys. Specifically Beebots.  Beebots are great for younger children to explore movement and develops directional language (forward, turn, left, right, backwards).  The Beebots have four arrows which allow you to program a set of directional instructions.  The Beebots could be used on a map, a grid of shapes or numbers, or a grid of letters.  This would allow for cross-curricular links to literacy (by asking the children to program directions which will land the Beebot on letters to spell out a word), or maths (by asking the children to program directions which will land on certain numbers or shapes), and geography (by asking the children to program the Beebot to take a route on a map/plan).  You could also attach a pen to the Beebot and ask children to draw different shapes.  A square for an easy task, and a triangle for a challenge!  The video below shows programming a Beebot to reach the letter i:

Other programmable toys include: Roamers, Pixies and Pips.  Information on these and the Beebot can be found at the following websites:

Pixie- www.swallow.co.uk/contents/pixie.htm
Pip- www.swallow.co.uk/pip/pip1.htm
Roamer- www.valiant-technology.com/uk/pages/corphome.php
Beebot- www.beebot.co.uk

 What is computer monitoring?

Computer monitoring involves the use of sensors to record information about the environment, and to provide feedback for a control system.  In this session we looked at dataloggers.


Dataloggers monitor light, sound and temperature.  You can also attach a heat sensor to a datalogger to measure the temperature of a specific object or material.  The resulting information can be examined in tables/graphs.  The data logger could be used in scientific investigations, for example when growing plants (measuring light), or to answer questions about the environment, for example 'At what time is the playground the loudest?'



 We also looked at digital microscopes, and their uses within school.  The microscope is linked up to the computer and an image of what the microscope is pointing at is brought up on screen.  This is great for science if you wanted to have a closer look at materials, minibeasts, or how part of a plant or a piece of food has deteriorated over time.  This would also be useful in Design and Technology for looking at the structure of materials, and may even be used for stop-frame animation (the microscope is able to take still images too).  From a teachers point of view it would be useful for showing children's work on the board.

Digital Microscope linked up to the computer

Image projected on screen

Control and Monitoring in the National Curriculum

In Key Stage 1, children are to be taught 'how to plan and give instructions to make things happen (for example, programming a floor turtle, placing instructions in the right order)' (2c)  and in Key Stage 2 'how to create, test, improve and refine sequences of instructions to make things happen and to monitor events and respond to them (for example, monitoring changes in temperature, detecting light levels and turning on a light) (2b).

(NC: 1999)

Thanks for reading! I will be back next week to talk about using ICT to support speaking and listening (podcasts, webcams and more!) :-)