Category: DataBot Project

Desmos

A major aspect of this project is using Desmos to perform data sonification. In order to use the data that we collect using the different sensor options, we import a set of datapoints to Desmos. In Desmos, we can add datapoints to the graph, and connect datapoints via lines. Here is an example. The challenge is that using the “Hear graph” function on this type of graph will only play noise for the discrete points on the graph. This means that they will play a sound for each point on the graph, but not for the lines connecting the points. This makes the data very challenging to actually understand. We are thinking about using a line of best fit function, but preliminary tests have not really worked well. I will continue to test that out in the near future.

More content will be coming soon, including a published lesson plan for Oregon fourth graders, involving the databot and motion. I am also doing a poster presentation on May 16th. That poster will be posted soon after the event has happened.

Data Bot Implementation

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been playing around with the Databot. I have a couple of takeaways from my experimentation that are relevant to this project.

Data Sonification

Generally, we are doing data sonification through the following process

1. Creating data points by using a databot sensor and the Vizeey app to track a specific real world type of data over a period of time.
2. Exporting this data from the Vizeey app to Excel, where each data type is a new column.
3. Transfer the data table from Excel into Desmos.
4. Connect the data points in Desmos.
5. Use the “Hear Graph” function in Desmos to achieve data sonification.

I originally wanted to have some sort of real time sound data, but this proved to be more difficult than anticipated. This is challenging because we want to prioritize ease of use and accessibility. I am not entirely sure that real time data is even possible using Databot and Vizeey, and if it is possible, it would be more technically challenging compared than we are willing to make it. In an effort to start simple, I am opting to use a data set collected through Vizeey. The data set will collect data points from different sensors over an increment of time. The sensor data and time will make up our y and x values, respectively. We can track multiple sensor items simultaneously, temperature and CO2, for example. On Vizeey, we are allowed to export data using these specific formats.

I chose to use Excel as my tool to export the data because I think it is the most accessible form to share the data. Since I am not going to be the person teaching the lesson in most situations, I want to make the technology part of the lesson as simple as possible.

Lesson Planning

Databot and Vizeey already have a solid structure for many different lessons. They do a good job of grouping relevant sensors together in their testing. Instead of trying to figure out unique sensor combinations to test, I think it is best if I build off of the tests that these programs already promote. This will make my task to focus on the data visualization aspect of the project, as well as creating a lesson plan that connects the experience to different grade-level standards in Oregon.