A datalogger is an electronic device used to take measurements. They have the advantages of taking multiple measurements and cann be more accurate.
For projectile motion. A photogate is placed in front of your projectile launcher, when the projectile goes through the gate, the light is stopped, and the time light is stopped for, and measurement of the size of the projectile enables the initial velocity to be calculated.
A pressure pad is placed where the projectile is to land. This detects the projectile landing. The time of flight can be determined by calculating the difference in time from photogate to pressure pad.
The distance from the pressure pad to the photogate is normally measured manually.
As for the other points final velocity, range, maximum height etc they are normally calculated from the points measured.
Other adaptations:
Second photogate at end to calculate final velocity, as for inital velocity
Motion sensors can be used to calculate range and maximum height but neither is recomended.
A sample of practiles using pasco dataloggers can be found in their manual
ftp://ftp.pasco.com/manuals/English/ME/ME-6810/012-05088D/012-05088D.pdf
Other possibility is to use a digital camera as a datalogger. A video of the projectile path is taken. This is imported into the computer and software is then used to determine each of the points mentioned.
Example stepthrough
http://www.lsw.com/videopoint/vp/tips/demo/started.html
You should check with your teacher about the skills questions that more likely to come up from the skills datapoints which relate to dataloggers
11.3 choose equipment or resources by:a) identifying and/or setting up the most appropriate equipment or combination of equipment needed to undertake the investigation
c) identifying technology that would be used during investigation determining its suitability and effectiveness for its potential role in the procedure or investigation
12.2 gather first-hand information by:a) using appropriate data collection techniques, employing appropriate technologies, including data loggers and sensors
e) recommend the use of an appropriate technology or strategy for data collection or information gathering that will assist efficient future analysis
12.4 process information to:a) assess the accuracy of any measurements and calculations and the relative importance of the data and information gathered
b) identify and apply appropriate mathematical formulae and concepts
c) best illustrate trends and patterns by selecting and using appropriate methods, including computer assisted analysis