Task 1:
Step 1: My partner and I started trying to build our circuit on the breadboard. We we were only able to get as far a putting in ground and positive to the breadboard and connecting the circuit to a power source. We asked for help from a professor. She guided us in deciding where to put the different elements, the buzzer and button. We learned how where to place the different elements and how to connect them with the wires. We place the points in to another spot on the same line of an element and the other point to the next element in the circuit. The lines ran horizontally along half the board and the power ran vertically along the height of the board. The first circuit we created resulted in there being a noise from the buzzer upon pushing the button.
Step 2 and 3: As we began to add in the other elements, we encounter an issue. We were unable to get the light to work and then, unable to get the button to control both the buzzer and the light. We moved some of our elements, and connected the elements in a different order to fix the mistake. We ended up with a circuit in which we could press a button to get a noise and a light in response.
My partner and I had moments where one of us would do more work than the other. We had to explain to one another why certain actions would work when others would not. For example, I explained the placement of the positive and ground to my partner, along with how to lay out the elements to connect them. Conversely, she had to help reorganize the elements to get them to work.
Task 2: We were given the opportunity to create a switch. To do so, we followed a professor in steps. We received rectangular pieces of cardboard. We attached copper tape, and learned how to place the wire. The wire is bent to prevent the wire from being easily pulled and the wire had to be placed as flat as possible on the surface of the copper. The process of soldering was slightly confusing at first. Our soldering device was not properly heated so we used another one. At first, I did not understand what I was doing incorrectly as I was unable to get the metal onto the wire and copper. I learned that I had to press against the wire and surface as I fed metal to the device. My partner and I then taped our halved together to create the switch.
Task 3: The final task I would consider to be the easiest step of them all. We removed the switch from the bread board and added the wires from our switch in their place. My partner and I chose the word “hair” as our secret word and was able to successfully communicate to one of the lab assistants.
Question 1: The function of a resistor is to regulate the flow of electricity, or the current. The resistor prevent the flow of too much energy to the bulb at once, preventing damage.
Question 2:
Question 3: The circuit we created today is interactive in that the lighting and noise is a result of pressing the button. The result is a product of a human interacting, pushing the button or switch.
Question 4: Interaction design and physical computing can be used to create art. In tracking the movements of an eye, a paralyzed street artist, was able to create works of art. The interaction of the eye and the sensor, created and programed for this purposed, allow for the creation of art.