How kids can start learning IoT?

What is IoT?
IoT or Internet of Things is the network of physical devices embedded with software, sensor, and
connectivity. This concept takes the connectivity of the internet beyond just in computers to our
everyday devices.

Why do we need IoT?

From healthcare solutions to home appliances, everything can be managed and controlled
through IoT. It has the ability to control and manage our environment. Now-a-days, everything
that we see around us is programmable, codable, and controlled by us. With the revolution of
technology, the demand for smart houses is increasing every day.

Businesses are taking this opportunity to respond to this increased demand by providing
automated services with the help of IoT. IoT is not limited to homes and hospitals only. It can be
implemented in cars and any other appliances that we see around us as well. Driverless cars
through IoT will help to decrease accident risk and make roads a safer place. You can turn on
your AC, draw the curtains, and activate indoor sprinklers with a single touch on your
smartphone through IoT. IoT can also be used in hospitals to respond faster in case of an
emergency situation. Creating these automated devices and building a network of physical
devices is the future of technology that can be achieved through IoT.

Why should kids start learning IoT?

Organizations and companies are looking for candidates who have knowledge about IoT to
deliver automated services to the increasing demand for it in the market. The IoT community is
growing and evolving every day and is today used in every industry. If IoT is introduced to the
kids in school, it will pave the way for a better-connected and more collaborative future for
education. Kids will learn how to code and have networking knowledge from a young age that
will help them in the future.

How kids can start learning IoT?

IoT is a vast concept and consists of four basic components of sensors/devices, connectivity, data
processing, and user interface. Understanding IoT data is a big step in programming and product
management. To understand the basics of IoT, kids have to know how to choose the correct
hardware, the correct networking technology, and identifying the right platform to build an IoT
project.

To get started with IoT, kids have to acquire knowledge about various tools, platforms, and
processes. To build an IoT based project, kids have to know how to choose the correct hardware
and software components for exchanging the data. Each hardware component like the sensors
and actuators are intended for a particular purpose. Kids can take the help of hardware platforms
like Arduino and Raspberry Pi that can help them to jump-start the process of prototyping and
refinement. They are less expensive, readily available, and have built-in internet connectivity
features.

Once the right hardware components and the device that needs to be connected are identified, the
next step is to establish a reliable network connection so that the sensors can communicate with
each other. Networking plays a crucial role as they enable IoT devices to communicate with each
other and other apps that are connected to the same network. To ensure uninterrupted
communication between the devices, kids should be familiar with various parameters like
network range, bandwidth, power usage, interoperability, security, and big data.

The hardware devices and the data that flows through user-interface like applications on mobile
and web are connected through IoT. Choosing the correct IoT platform also ensures secure
communication among all the devices and apps.

Many schools across the world have introduced IoT and programming in schools for kids. Apart
from that, kids can start learning IoT from websites like Coursera, IoTIFY, Udemy, etc. Kids can
learn how to code, design, create, and deploy an IoT device using Arduino and Raspberry Pi
platforms. Microsoft also offers a course on Getting Started with the Internet of Things. There
are many ongoing projects in Universities across the world from where kids can start leaning
IoT. Google Digital Garage also provides IoT courses. Some of these are free while some are
paid and comes with certification.

IoT is a vast concept that has an impact on every industry. Kids should be introduced to this so
that they have enough time to grasp the in-depth knowledge. Technological advancements have
taken a leap in the recent decade. IoT has a golden future in the coming years. We must prepare
the future generation to build a stronger IoT community.