International Journal of Education and Development using ICT

International Journal of Education and Development using ICT > Vol. 7, No. 1 (2011)

The Development of a Microcomputer-Based Laboratory (MBL) System for Gas Pressure Law Experiment via Open Source Software

Siew Wei Tho, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). Malaysia
Baseri Huddin Hussain, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). Malaysia

Abstract
The purpose of this research was to develop a Microcomputer-Based Laboratory (MBL) system for gas pressure law experiment used in physics education. The developed system was divided into two major parts; the hardware and courseware. The main hardware of the system was the PHOENIX (Data Logger) which was obtained from Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC), New Delhi. Others hardware used were temperature sensor and pressure sensor. These hardware components were controlled by a computer. The sensors were calibrated according to the standard reference of pressure and temperature. The data and parameters obtained from the calibration were used in the courseware to determine the pressure and temperature based on the voltage of the sensors. While the courseware part was developed to execute data logging, data processing and display the real-time plot on the computer screen. The courseware design for this system was developed based on the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) instructional model, while the courseware programming was written by using the Python Programming Language (one of the Open Source Software Systems). Thus, this low cost developed package can be used as laboratory exercise and demonstration kit for teaching and learning process.

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