Robin shows the class how the movement data looks when it is collected from the Wii remote.
The data appears as a series of numbers…
We discussed the idea of GRAPHS and how we can plot information using this. Then Robin talked of how the GPS tracker collected information about LOCATION anywhere on the surface of the earth. It used points recorded as numbers representing a position either LONGITUDE (points on lines from pole to pole on the earth) and LATITUDE (Those on points on the circles that run parallel to the equator). This was really interesting and could be a project all of its own!!
Robin also explained that to collect the data the children needed to hold the Wii remote in their hand and carry a small computer in a backpack when they moved / ran. Also with the use of a GPS tracker we could collect location data as well. Before the children went outside Robin logged all their names into the computer to assign them a colour of their choice which would mark their particular running data.
Shannon selects a colour to mark her run…
Finn selects a colour to mark his run…
Luca shows what we used to collect the running data (information): a Wii Remote Controller and GPS tracker.
It was decided that each child would make a run then pass on all the equipment to the next child like a running relay…….
Finn starts the running relay with the backpack and Wii remote and GPS tracker.
When Finn took off for his run he was accompanied by lots of children cheering him on with great excitement……
As each run was completed, the bag was given over to the next child along with the remote and GPS tracker…
Ben is excited to start his run!
Great runs were made by all the children…..
Grace sprints off….
Some were just too fast to record!!!!
After all the runs were done, Robin checked the small computer in the back pack to se if the data had been collected….. unfortunately the really fast movement had knocked the programme off and so we came up with the idea of padding the bag out with jumpers to stop the computer knocking around when the person moved…
This time however, the children took turns to go much slower just in case!
Luca sets off on his walk around the space.
Robin patiently waited for each child to complete their walk.
Others enjoyed sitting under the leafy tree while everyone took their turn.
Back in the classroom Robin transferred the data ready for the children on their return from break.
While the data was being prepared, I asked the children to write some words and also to draw a picture to describe their run; how it felt to them, being outside running and moving.
The children drew using charcoal, in response to their run.
The charcoal has taken its own path and left a trail.
Two hands are beautifully recorded using charcoal dust.
When we looked at the DIGITAL DATA we saw lots of runs marked in different colours.
Just as Robin and I had RE-INTERPRETED the digital data from my own runs, (by making a drawing animation) we thought we would try this idea here and invite the children to make a drawing by hand in response to the digital image. We discussed what an animation was… (lots of still images (pictures) joined together to make a sequence).
Once again we took it in turns to add something to the drawing AND also at the same time to ERASE (rub away) a little as we went along so the drawing would move and change. We used a large chunk of charcoal and an eraser to do this.
Here’s the beginning of the drawing animation.
The drawing is changing by adding with charcoal and rubbing out with an eraser….
We used a stills camera to take photographs of the stages of the drawing.
The camera was placed on a TRIPOD to keep it still.
Lots of drawings were made based on the runs made and the data collected.
The final drawings made by the children collectively.
Another kind of mapping had also accidentally been made:
The lines on the palms of our hands had been made visible by the charcoal dust!
Thank you RANG P4 and Múinteoir Dearbhla for a great day of running and drawing!
A great drawing to mark the tracking system we explored today!