3.1.4 Branch Functions

Today, Wednesday, we used ROBO PRo once again. Today we started working with switches and it actually became a little harder. We got it under control and were able to do it. Here is our picture of a light with a potentiometer. When you turn the potentiometer, the light will turn on. Pretty cool stuff.

My team consisted of Ryan, Nick, and I. Although we used the software on my computer, we all helped to built the module and take pictures. I think all of us made an even contribution.

?'s.

1. Describe why it is important to include branches in programs

-----It is important to include branches in your program because if you want to be able to turn things on and off, you need to have switches and branches in your program.

2. Describe an everyday application of a normally open switch that has not been given as an example.

 ----An everyday application of an open switch is a railroad switch. When you turn the switch it changes to a different track.

3. Describe an everyday application of a normally closed switch that has not been given as an example.

------A normally closed switch would be a faucet. When you open the faucet the water will flow.

Copied from Colin.

Activity 3.1.2 Flowcharting

Today, Thursday, we created a flowchart using Microsoft Word. I haven't created a flowchart before so this is a new experience for me. Actually it is a very easy task. Below is my flowchart.

And here is another:

Questions:

1. How is flowcharting similar to using a map to plan a route for a trip?

--- Flowcharting is very similar to using a map for a trip. You start at the beginning and follow the road (arrows in chart) until you get to a checkpoint. Then you follow another road to somewhere else. If at the end you are at the correct place, you stop. If not, then you turn around and take another route to try to get to your destination.

2. Describe a process that you perform every day. Develop a flowchart that illustrates the process.

--I'm going to do a flowchart for my getting up process in the morning.  Here it is::

Copied from Colin.

RoBo Pro: Variables and Branch Functions

Today I was tasked with making a program using some given elements as an introduction to visual programming with variables. The task was to make a program that would make the value of a variable increase until it was 5, and then have the program end. This is what I made:

This information is from Gustavo's blog.

RoBo Pro: Subprograms and Meters

In this activity, we were on the program called RoBo Pro. We learned about subprograms and meters and constructed our own using the program. Here are the pictures from my program:

The first one is the main program, and the second is the subprogram. Subprograms help because it makes the main program page less crowded, so you can have multiple subprograms with less space used; basically a good way of organizing.

Activity 3.1.1 Inputs and Outputs

1. Examine the wire diagram on the mini switch and describe how the diagram relates to the concepts of normally open and normally closed.

2. If computers only understand digital signals, then how is a computer able to interpret the analog signals coming from the interface?

3. Why does resistance decrease as the NTC Resistor becomes warmer?

Mini Switch:

-when plugged into 1 and 3 and not pressing button:

unchecked

at zero

not present

-when in 1 and 3 and pressed

checked

at one

present

-when plugged into 1 and 2 everything is flip-flopped

Potentiometer:

-range: 38-4945

NTC Resistor:

-1668

-while warm was at 1318

Motor:

-one way to change the direction of spin is by switching the wire ports

Electromagnet:

When reed switch is touched the box becomes checked

Photo transistor:

-closer light gets the number goes down

--This information is Jackson's--

I was sitting next to Jackson and observed what he was doing, but I did not participate.

Opt In

What technologies facilitated the regime change we witnessed in Egypt today? List 3. Describe how each technology came about and how each were used in support of the protest.

Technologies used to facilitate the regime change in Egypt:

Facebook – This helped the regime change because it was a way of socially networking with other people of the same interest online.

Twitter - I'm not very familiar with Twitter, but from what I understand it is like Facebook but with only statuses, so you can follow people and see what is going on in their lives. This could possibly help because leaders of the uprising could post statuses so that their followers (both literally and virtually) could see what they are doing/thinking.

Cell phones - Cell phones helped because it facilitates communication when you're out, so you can talk to almost anyone almost anywhere at almost any time.

Q - List each of the items displayed in the image. Make your best guess about how they could be repurposed to support peaceful demonstration in the face of an authoritarian regime.

Goggles - These could be used to protect your eyes against tear gas thrown by the riot control and such.

Shoes - Used to protect the feet.

Jacket - To protect the torso from the cold.
Scarf - To protect the neck from the cold.

Rose - The thorns could be used as weapons. If not, then it might be a symbol of some kind of the rebellion.

Spray Paint - Used to convey the message of the rebels all around town.

Shield - Protection from the riot control and to shield the body.

Content is King

Q- What is a field/hobby/something you have a passion for (surfing, sailing, robotics, painting, etc.)?
 A field or hobby that I have a passion for. I really enjoy playing sports with my friends, especially baseball. Even though I'm not too great at other sports, I still enjoy playing them just for fun.

Q- What person or organization in that field has used blogging to promote their brand?
I did not find a person that plays baseball blogging about baseball, but I found an eigth grader blogging about the San Francisco Giants. He linked the Giants winning the World Series directly to reduced crime in the area. A likely interpretation is that auto theft and auto burglary went down because there were more people on the street walking to and from bars or restaurants, standing outside between innings or celebrating. Because of this presence on the street, people had less opportunity to break into or steal cars.





Q- What is a field you might see yourself blogging about?I hope to get a career in engineering, especially aerospace. I could possibly see myself blogging in that field.

Tennis Ball Game

Yesterday we did a teambuilding excercise involving two groups and two tennis balls. Each group was assigned a task, which was to get the tennis ball to touch each person in the group and make it back to the initiator as expediently as possible. Our first idea was quite creative, but not incredibly quick. Each group member held one hand in the circle, alternating between facing up or down. We could then hand off the tennis ball without having to flip each individual hand. Our next idea, (which the other group claimed we copied, which is obviously not the case) was for everybody to put their hands in a circle, resembling a cut pizza. We could then simply roll the tennis ball across everybody's hands in a second or two. The next task was the same, except the ball could not touch two different hands at the same time. We came up with the idea to organize our hands to resemble stairs, which was quite effective.