Internet of Things

The last part of the module is about the Internet of Things. This is an emerging trend, not just in education, but also globally.

What is the Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things refers to things that are connected to the Internet. This can be anything from refrigerators, thermostats, toothbrushes. 

These gadgety things collect data about the way you use them and help you make your lifestyle improvements along the way.

Learnometer 

It is basically a small sensor, which is Internet-enabled, which measures classroom light levels, temperature and humidity, sound volume and rhythms, air pollution and CO2 and also air pressure. And the great thing about this of course is that if we actually clicked with this information, we can actually then start to do things that might improve the learning environment. For example, put more windows in, or maybe put some sound proofing in, or maybe think about how we would reduce air pollution in the local area.

Muzzley

muzzley.com allows us to start to link things that are connected to the Internet both in our homes, on our bodies, and also in the local community as well. Muzzley is putting all your smart devices to work together in a way that adapts to your preferences. No wires, no hubs, no fuss. Just your smartphone and the devices you love.

 Open.Sen.se allows us again to turn flows of information to action by triggering online applications. Things become smart, versatile and interact in real time with remote things.

littleBits is an Internet-enabled sort of components which you could plug together and link via your own Wi-Fi. It means that you can set things up, draw the curtains in the room, or also turn lights on and off. It is a great way to start to introduce young people to the Internet of Things. 

Adafruit Flora Sensor Pack is these little micro-sensors that can actually be sown on to clothing, and young people can programme these to flash, depending on what the conditions are like in the room around them, whether it is hot, whether it is cold, or whether there is any sort of movement.

Dangers of the facts when everything becomes programmable

Anything that is driverless, driven by a computer and linked to the Internet is able to be hacked, whether we are talking about driverless transporting devices or medical devices like heart pacemakers.

Here you can see an example of smart pants which tell you when it's toilet time. Click on the picture and watch the video from Reuters.

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