The use of all-in-one sensor devices in the general education acoustics laboratory

Abstract

For a general education acoustics course meeting the physical science laboratory requirement, we have implemented the use of IOLab devices. The IOLab is an all-in-one collection of sensors in a box approximately the size of a graphing calculator. The devices include a microphone, accelerometer, force sensor, light sensor, magnetic field sensor, analog inputs and outputs among other built-in features. Each of the devices communicates wirelessly with laboratory computers. Our acoustics course serves not only students seeking general education credit but also students pursuing careers in music technology and as sonography technicians. The common bond between students in these groups is their shared avoidance of mathematical analysis. In our course, we attempt to build student skills in analytical thinking by scaffolding laboratory activities in a series of mini-labs which make use of the IOLab devices. We discuss the successes and challenges faced using this approach.