I used to use this blog to post resources for the physical computing course that I took last spring. I’ve updated the blog to include resources from the Computer Hardware and Achitecture course I am taking at Fordham University this semester. To view my notes for this course, click on the Computer Hardware and Architcture tab at the top of the page.
In addition to working with circuits, sensors and Flash the last couple of weeks, we have also spent time discussing project ideas. We were asked to create a storyboard of our idea and then at our last class on 3/26 we broke up into groups for some feedback.
The project idea that I came up with involves using physical movement on the part of my students to generate a graph of the trigonometric function that models the motions created by the student. Click on the link to view the PDF version of my entire storyboard:
The feedback I received was very positive. I have a better idea of the many different types of sensors I could use to measure the movement generated by the physical motion of the students. I will have to use at two types– one to measure distance and the other to measure speed/rotation. The next step is to find two suitable sensors that can be ordered online and submit the information before the next class so that they can be ordered.
Most of this class was spent reviewing Flash. Our instructors also spent time helping us set up the software necessary for our arduino boards to communicate with a serial connection to the computer.
I’m a little late posting notes from the classes on 3/5/08 and 3/12/08… in both classes we discussed sensors. On 3/5 we worked with a potentiometer and on 3/12 we worked on the flash programming needed to use the input from the potentiometer.
This week we discussed Ohm’s Law and practiced building the circuit to operate a switch that turns a LED on and off. We learned a little bit more about the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in a circuit. We also had help creating the circuit for the basic switch that we soldered together last session.
The quality of the video is not great… I am planning on purchasing a digital camcorder soon primarily to be able to create podcasts for my classes, but also so that I can upload videos on my various blogs
| View | Upload your own
