Technology is with us to stay. Computer interfacing has blossomed recently - a whole new and exciting arena of experimentation in the laboratory is now possible. Students can unleash their creativity and enthusiasm and be problem-solvers.
Data collection can occur instantaneously, overnight, or over a period of weeks or months.
Students can expect instant feedback on their experimental designs, since data may be graphed as it is collected. The analysis of data has never been easier. When students used to spend hours making sense out of data by hand, it was almost impossible to have them modify their experimental design and retake a series of measurements. In some cases students actually forgot what they had done by the time they collected the data, made the measurements, and figured out what they meant. As a consequence, teachers often had to abandon inquiry based experimentation.