Labs with LabQuest

So today we had our introductory lab with the verier labquest technology. These are devices that allow students to collect data without being tied to a computer. Again, it was third hour that almost ruined it for the rest of the classes. Some of the students decided that it would be a good time to leave class and go for an extended walk while the other students were collecting data. This was really frustrating but I partly blame myself for not forseeing the immaturity in some of the students in my third hour class. Fortunately, fourth and fifth hours came to the rescue and really helped me out by collecting some great data. They were polite, intelligent and made the most of the opportunity to collect data with new instrumentation.

The lab quests, however are taking a bit of time getting used to. They sometimes freeze up because it seems like students accidentally change the calibration settings. Students have a hard time remembering to save their data and they begin data collection of a second data set before the first has been saved. One thing of note is that when saved, the labquest also saves data entered into notes, so that worksheets to record where the data was taken from or who took the data are not necessary. I still need to figure out how to get the information to a printer or a computer that they can view it from. The computers in the classroom might do the trick but I am so short on time that I cannot take the time to figure it out.