Why teach IoT in school

Internet of Things, popularly known as IoT, is a network of physical devices that are connected to the internet and can communicate with each other. These devices can be anything from cameras and door locks to surgical and medical equipment to home appliances such as refrigerators and ovens. There is indeed no doubt that the introduction of this new technology has gone a long way in enhancing business efficiency and reducing cost.

It has already penetrated the present, and a future without IoT is unimaginable. That being said, the question is not so much ‘Why it is important for students to learn IoT’ but how quickly they can start and how educational institutions can go about integrating it into the curriculum.

For the uninitiated, here are some advantages or benefits of teaching IoT in schools:

1. Prepares students for the future: IoT is already an integral part of our daily lives and is expected to play an even bigger role in the future. Teaching IoT in schools can prepare students for the jobs of the future and ensure that they have the necessary base skills to advance to the next level of technology education and compete in a market that is getting increasingly sophisticated.

2. Encourages innovation: IoT offers a wide range of possibilities for innovation. By teaching IoT in schools, we can encourage students to think creatively and develop new ideas and applications.

3. Develops key skills: IoT education can help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills. It also provides opportunities for hands-on learning, which can help students develop practical skills that they can use in their future careers.

4. Promotes sustainability: IoT has the potential to help us tackle some of the world’s biggest sustainability challenges, such as climate change and resource management. By teaching IoT in schools, we can encourage students to think about the impact of technology on the environment and how it can be used to promote sustainable development.

5. Fosters diversity: IoT is a multidisciplinary field that requires knowledge and skills from a range of areas, including computer science, engineering and data analysis. By teaching IoT in schools, we can attract students from different backgrounds and promote diversity in STEM fields.

Therefore, it is essential for schools to incorporate IoT education into their curricula to ensure that students are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in an IoT-driven world.

It would be much easier for schools to kick start IoT programs with IoT starter and development kits. There are a variety of them available to be either purchased online or ordered from a supplier.

However, it is even more important for a school to choose the right product. What needs to be considered before choosing the right product is the functionality, ease of use and ease of training.

Arduino Explore IoT kits, for example, is specifically developed for high school students to teach how to build internet connected objects and comes with all the necessary hardware. It is easy to use with ten step-by-step tutorials and projects that are creative experiments with real-life components, making it fun to learn IoT.

Choosing the right product can go a long way in making IoT learning effective for your students. Explore our IoT kits to find out which one suits the needs of your students: Arduino Education Kits – Arduino Education Kits (ednex.me)