Pilot trial of a smart phone App for ascertaining water quality

Project leader(s): Suresh NesaratnamShahram Taherzadeh
Theme: Technologies for STEM learning
Faculty: STEM
Status: Archived
Dates: June 2018 to March 2019

An important aspect of studying a technological module such as T868 Environmental monitoring and protection, is the acquisition of practical skills. Normally such skills are taught through practical sessions in a laboratory. Sometimes they are taught in the field. In distance teaching, they can be taught through the use of home experiment kits. Now an opportunity has arisen with the ubiquity of smart phones and mobile Apps, for students to get hands-on experience of field measurements. A pilot trial of one such App, used in conjunction with test-strips, was undertaken in late 2018. The App selected for use was one that was freely available and is utilised for monitoring and managing water quality in swimming pools and spas. The success of the trial offers the possibility of using Apps in developing students’ practical skills and techniques of data analysis whilst studying environmental protection.