Here are my thoughts on the second week's material, etc.

• This week's material is basically first order systems - i.e. time constant systems
• The idea of time constants might seem to be a stretch, but it quickly gets us to some sensor dynamics.
• Later they will see other time constants
• Motor speed up and slow-down
• Filling and draining a tank.
• Labs are devoted to simply taking time response data using pre-written LabVIEW programs.
• The first week we measured outputs of three different kinds of sensors.  This week we look at the thermal dynamics of those sensors.  Generally the labs here work well.  Grade them "A".  They don't take long and fit well within the 2 hour slot, and they leave time to work with those who have problems.
• These labs also give the students a chance to use some LabVIEW programs, motivating them to learn that material later in the course - a bonus for this week's lab
• In-Class exercises
• There are a number of good in-class exercises.  They should be used.  Here are links.
• An example - An imaginary sensor
• Class Notes - Good
• Sensors encountered to this point in the course.
• Thermocouples
• LM35s - giving two examples of sensors with voltage outputs
• Thermistor - giving an example of a sensor with a resistance change.