--- On Fri, 9/21/12, James Cameron <qu...@laptop.org> wrote:
> From: James Cameron <qu...@laptop.org> > Subject: Re: [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy? > To: "Community Support Volunteers -- who help respond to "help AT > laptop.org"" <support-g...@lists.laptop.org> > Cc: "IAEP SugarLabs" <iaep@lists.sugarlabs.org>, "OLPC SoCal" > <olpc-so...@laptop.org>, "support-g...@laptop.org" <support-g...@laptop.org> > Date: Friday, September 21, 2012, 7:39 PM > On Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 03:38:12PM > -0700, Kevin Mark wrote: > > This is a minor update because I was reading a post[1] > on sparkfun. This kit > > shows a kit with single examples of various types > of sensors. This kit is too > > expensive but you can buy the individual parts > separately at their site or > > elsewhere. > > [1] https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11283 > > Thanks. Interesting. > > Not every sensor works with an OLPC XO though, and the > teaching of the > sensors themselves is more difficult with the highly > integrated > sensors, since they don't provide a simple voltage as > output. What your explanation makes clear is why people typically pay 3rd parties to develop educational material with pre-tested sample circuits and included parts. The average teacher will not have the expertise to just find a sensor, make a circuit, connect it, use software like measure and explain what the output means. I assume if a packet was constructed for the basic concepts for Ohms law and the basic understanding of how the sensor fits-into this Electronics equation, then they could present a lesson with a packaged electronics kit with audio-plug w/sensor bits. Maybe the XOexplosion/ilovemyxo or PlanCeibal/Butiabot people or whoever could mass-buy such parts and constructs these kits and create the teaching material(wiki?). LDRs, IR LED, flex sensor and other cheap parts if ordered in bulk I would imagine could be bought for a relatively cheaper cost compared to Radioshack-type stores. And if the purchase is made by a geographically closer group, that would limit the shipping cost. Just my reaction to your great explanation of how those bits could be used. -K _______________________________________________ IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!) IAEP@lists.sugarlabs.org http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
