# Module 4. Week 2.

# IoT. Administration of IoT in schools.

# Summary and core material

# Assignment

Connect your microcontroller board with other device: it can be another microcontroller, application in cloud, a mobile phone… They should be able to communicate data generated/sensed using the board to the other end (E.g. of use case: monitoring system for school). You can also use your board to receive instructions from the other device (use case: robotics).

As an extra work, each device might belong to other FLA student from other lab / your own lab.

In your documentation, name the devices you're using, along with the platform or technology used for communication between them. Clearly explain what you're measuring and describe how data is communicated between the two endpoints. If you're using external components, include a simple diagram illustrating how they're connected. Provide your code (or a link to your code) for both ends, and include screenshots of the online system's configuration, if applicable. Add several pictures showcasing your project. If possible, include a video demonstration.

In addition, please, answer following reflection questions:

What are some opportunities in your context to work within your local community? Who you could collaborate with? How? What should happen to succeed in the collaboration
What are the next steps in development further a makerspace in your school? How do you envision the maker space?
What is the potential of physical computing and IoT for your teaching? Do you have any ideas on how you are planning to integrate those techniques in your context?

# Tasks in the Fab Lab

Connect two different development boards. There are some tutorials in Technical Guides and tutoring sessions
In addition, we recommend also to use one online platform for the IoT which you can use to connect your board to the internet and to an online service for IoT.

# Asynchronous content

# Learning Communities around the world

Steam in Oulu (opens new window) STEAM in Oulu is a collaborative learning network located in northern Finland, focused on integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics into education through digital fabrication and hands-on activities. The network connects local schools, teachers, students, and industry partners, supporting innovative educational practices and sharing resources across the community. It emphasizes practical learning experiences, project-based education, and creativity to engage students and prepare them for future challenges. Through ongoing workshops, training, and collaborative events, STEAM in Oulu continuously strengthens its community of educators and learners.
FabLab@schooldk (opens new window). FabLab@SCHOOLdk was a Danish partnership active from 2013 to 2024, involving municipalities like Vejle, Silkeborg, Kolding, Middelfart, and Aarhus. It focused on integrating design thinking and digital fabrication into education, providing over 200 teaching resources to enhance students' technological understanding and practical skills. The initiative collaborated with Aarhus University's Center for Computational Thinking & Design and organized the annual FabLearnDK conference. As of August 2024, the partnership concluded, with responsibilities transitioning to the Knowledge Center for Digital Technological Understanding, and the website now maintained by the Pedagogical Center in Kolding Municipality.
CFUMaker (opens new window) CFU Maker is a national online platform in Denmark, developed over a three-year period from 2023 to 2026, aiming to consolidate engaging educational resources in makerspaces and digital literacy. It offers an overview of makerspaces and activities across the country, promoting knowledge sharing beyond municipal boundaries. Primarily targeting educational staff, school leaders, and other stakeholders in the education sector, CFU Maker supports the integration of makerspaces and digital literacy in primary and secondary education. The project is funded by the Villum Foundation and developed by the Centre for Educational Resources (CFU Denmark).
FabLearn (opens new window)FabLearn is an international network of educators, researchers, and practitioners dedicated to integrating digital fabrication and making into educational settings worldwide. Originating at Stanford University's Transformative Learning Technologies Lab, FabLearn emphasizes hands-on, creative learning experiences and supports educators through conferences, workshops, and open resources. The network hosts annual FabLearn conferences in various countries, promoting dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of innovative ideas in maker education. Its goal is to foster a global community that actively shapes the future of STEAM education through digital fabrication.
FabLatKids (opens new window) FabLat Kids is a network of digital fabrication laboratories focused on developing educational and playful activities that enhance intelligence, creativity, and imagination, stimulating innovative thinking. Their methodology emphasizes experiential learning, aiming to engage children with new technologies, not just as passive users but as critical thinkers and active participants in technological advancement. Initally was focus in SouthAmerica countries, but it grew to other Fab Labs of Europe and Asia.

# Design Thinking

# Technical guides and tutorials

# Connecting different devices

Microbit

# IoT online tools

IFTT (opens new window) is an online automation platform that allows users to connect various applications, services, and IoT devices through simple, conditional statements called "applets." These applets trigger automatic actions between different web services and devices based on predefined conditions or events. Users can easily integrate devices, services, and applications like social media, smart home devices, sensors, and cloud platforms. IFTTT's intuitive, no-code approach enables anyone to quickly set up powerful IoT automations, making it ideal for beginners as well as experienced users.
AdafruitIO (opens new window) is an easy-to-use online platform developed by Adafruit Industries, specifically designed for building IoT projects. It enables users to securely store, visualize, and interact with sensor data from various IoT devices through intuitive dashboards. Adafruit IO supports communication protocols like MQTT and REST APIs, making it compatible with numerous microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators. Its user-friendly interface makes IoT accessible for beginners, educators, and makers, offering a straightforward way to create connected applications without extensive programming knowledge.
Thinkspeak (opens new window) is an IoT analytics platform by MathWorks designed for collecting, visualizing, and analyzing live data from connected devices. Users can easily send sensor data from devices to the cloud via REST APIs or MQTT, visualize real-time information through customizable charts, and run MATLAB code for advanced data analysis and processing. ThingSpeak is widely used in education, research, and DIY IoT projects due to its simplicity, flexibility, and compatibility with popular hardware platforms like Arduino and Raspberry Pi.
NodeRed (opens new window) is an open-source, browser-based programming tool developed by IBM that lets users easily wire together hardware devices, APIs, and online services using visual flows. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows users to create IoT applications without extensive coding skills, connecting devices and services via built-in nodes for protocols such as MQTT, HTTP, and WebSocket. Node-RED is highly flexible and extensible, supporting custom nodes created by the community. It's popular in both educational and industrial IoT projects due to its simplicity, versatility, and rapid prototyping capabilities.
Make.com (opens new window) Integrate IoT with AI.

# Tutorials

IFTT

TBD

NodeRed

TBD

Blynk

TBD