Modular Student Learning Kit for Internet of Things

Abstract

The term Internet of Things as a component of Future Internet is a recent fast growing global network infrastructure which extends Internet with a sensors and actuators shield. The paper presents a hands-on learning kit based on an open standard embedded computer connected to Internet enabling live data processing. The system uses cloud programming tools to add significant value to the education purpose, by including up-to-date innovative technical approaches and pedagogical values for improving the attractiveness and efficiency of the education activities in the engineering area. The learning goal intends to develop the Internet of things as new universe based on smart objects, connected to the Internet via adequate sensors and actuators. This can be an essential tool for a deeper understanding of the main concepts in physics, informatics and math, even in the early steps of learning. Based on cloud programming resources, the hardware-software components use the latest version of low power 32-bit embedded computer development platform and process interfaces to allow data monitoring, remote physical experiments, mobile world supervising, and collaborative project development. As an open standard learning tool, the kit offers a new computational framework able to serve in scientific experiments and discovery-based learning. This study was strongly motivated by the European Union recommendation to support and enrich the university curriculum by engaging students in hands-on engineering and design activities.