Introduction: In this recitation, we designed and built circuits that integrate sensors with Arduino on our own, and wrote the corresponding code for the required functions.

Partner: Lindsay (Yuru Chen)

Components:

1*Arduino

1*USB

1*Breadboard

1*Moisture sensor

1*Joystick Module

LEDs

jumper cables

Circuit 1: Soil Moisture Sensor

We first built a simple circuit to make a Soil Moisture Sensor. We connected it in analog mode and then tested it in digital mode. When the humidity reached a threshold value, the LED would light up. We tested the circuit by putting the sensor in pure water and by covering it with wet napkins.

Circuit 2: Joystick LED Controller

Since the joystick module can be interfaced with Arduino as two potentiometers, we connected it to a circuit with two LEDs and use the separate resistance along the x and y axis to control the two LEDs respectively. We used Boolean functions in the code and made four states of the LEDs in total.

Question 1:

What did you intend to assemble in the recitation exercise? If your sensor/actuator combination were to be used for pragmatic purposes, who would use it, why would they use it, and how could it be used?

We intended to turn the analog signals that sensors sent into digital signals that can be visualized by LEDs and find a practical use for the circuits. The moisture sensor circuit can be used to monitor the humidity of the soil of potted plants so that people can know when to water them. For the joystick circuit, it can be used for the preschool education for the children, who can learn the concept of directions by interacting with the gadget.

Question 2: 

Code is often compared to following a recipe or tutorial.  Why do you think that is?

The process of the computer executing the code is like people following the given instructions. Both code and recipe/tutorial are written in an executable format, and once it is correctly followed, it directly achieves a certain goal.

Question 3:

In Language of New Media, Manovich describes the influence of computers on new media. In what ways do you believe the computer influences our human behaviors?

 On the one hand, for people who are engaged in coding and other IT works, they may tend to think in a logical way and compare many of the daily activities with coding. By transforming problems into technological demands, it becomes easier to find a practical solution. On the other hand, for common computer users, especially the new generation, they may expect everything on the screen to be interactive and can be reached in a click or a tap on the keyboard. The development of computers has greatly simplified the way people acquire information and socialize with others, and it is possible that this trend will continue.