IoT Maker App

No code app for internet of things projects.

 

  • Challenge

    The Internet of Things is an established technology in industry. In education it is not. There is a technology barrier, particularly in the software creation space as current approaches require programming. What if we could make a low or no code software approach and coupled this with plug and play hardware kits like Raspberry Pi?

  • Approach

    We built frameworks that explain how to make IOT solutions. Then we paired these methods with block based programming and simple IOT kits so learners could quickly jump in and make IOT projects.

  • Results

    We created a product vision, functional prototypes, and brand. Our first prototype was a desktop app built. We tested this tool with K-12 educators and based on feedback we developed a second app. This app had simpler programming paradigms and was designed for the iPad.

 

A vision for IoT Education.

We believe students can be creators in the world of internet of things. Through low barrier technology and instructional support, students can jump in, build projects, and pave the way for the design of new products that make an impact in the world.

 
 

Combining pedagogy and software practices

We created a framework to simplify the core components of IOT. At the base level are the elements - the thing, data, connectivity, and logic. The thing is the object that is programmed. The data is the information that is collected by the thing and surrounding environment. The connectivity is the channel to transfer data between hardware and software. The logic is the behavior that is set based on specific data and thing properties. Combined these elements represent an IOT formula. When an IoT formula is combined with a use case it forms an IOT project. Both the formula and project can be shared with the other IOT creators.

 
 
 
 

We started with a desktop app prototype.

Our first prototype was a desktop application built on an IoT platform called ThingWorx. The app had a visual programming interface that used nodes to connect data, things, and logic.

We tested with educators to see if it was classroom ready.

We connected with our teacher community and designed an IOT bootcamp for K-12 educators. We taught them the fundamentals of IOT, coding and related topics. Throughout the course we used the desktop prototype and collected feedback. Key insights were simplifying the programming approach and making it more accessible with mobile devices.

 
 

Based on feedback we designed a mobile prototype.

The next prototype we built for an iPad. This touch screen and portable device was more suited for kids in the classroom versus having to go to the computer lab. We also changed the programming interface to be simple block-based programming like you would see in an app like Scratch.

Styled for classrooms.

As we built out the functional side of the app, we designed the visual brand. This included a logo, style guide, web design patterns, and a look and feel to match the classroom setting.

 

Artifcated created:

 

  • Vision

  • Product strategy

  • Technical architecture

  • Product requirements

  • UX mockups

  • Desktop prototype

  • iPad app prototype

  • Visual brand

Next project HoloLens Tutorial.