OLPC as Datalogger

Introduction

The OLPC is designed with an audio input that is intended to be used as a sensor input as well as plain old audio. When this is used as a sensor input, the OLPC becomes a datalogger, i.e. a basic tool of scientific investigation. This is consistent with constructionist educational philosophy which says that you teach science by enabling the child to become a scientist.

Background Information

There is already a thriving educational market selling sensors of various sorts, dataloggers, and datalogging software. Here are some examples to review for background information.

• Vernier
• This page has a list of homebrew sensors built by Lego Mindstorms enthusiasts
• Here is an example of how a little sensor can teach a lot of science
• World-Stethoscope is a simple V/F converter. It works fine with OLPC Etoys.