Making Future-Ready Students with Design and the Internet of Things

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: IoT will transform our future in unimaginable ways. The necessity for young people to understandand design with IoT seems unequivocal but there is currently limited integration in K-12 education.OBJECTIVES: To investigate these gaps in research and practice, this study aimed to explore the design processes andunderstandings of IoT that emerge when youth design an IoT passion project within a constructionist context.METHODS: A mixed methods multiple case study design was employed, analyzing questionnaires, interviews,recordings, and participant artifacts.RESULTS: Factors contributing to a successful design included guided inquiry, detailed plans, access to support, andperseverance. Participants also experienced gains in IoT skills and knowledge.CONCLUSION: Design and making with IoT through passion-based, guided inquiry appeared to facilitate thedevelopment of valuable knowledge and skills. Further research is needed to explore implementations in formal education.

Keywords

• design thinking
• inquiry
• internet of things (iot)
• makerspaces
• constructionism
• passion-based learning