Development of Teaching Materials for Instrumentation and Control Engineering Utilizing Visual Programming Language Named Scratch

Abstract

Teaching materials of measurement and control systemsfor students in junior high school and freshmen in college of technology were discussed using visual programming language named Scratch.The interface board which connects light sensor,potentiometer and push switch to a PC was developed by using a PIC18F2550 microcontroller with USB interface. A DC Motor was connected to the interface board via H bridge circuit as output device. Temperature control experiments were realized using a thermistor and a Peltier device instead of the light sensor and DC Motor, respectively. Temperature control on Peltier device with high accuracy was performed by the PC running Scratch programs. Developed materials may be useful for ndustrial arts in junior high school and introductory education in college of technology.