Conservation

The Internet of things

Learn about the Internet of things (IoT), and how this platform can help manage energy use.

Activity Image
Grade
10-12
Duration
1.3 hours
Type
Group work

Overview

Learn about the Internet of things (IoT) which is defined as a network of physical objects or things that are embedded with technology to enable connection and exchange of data. Students will explore how the IoT can be used in our lives and how smart technology can save energy.  

Instructions

What you'll need

  • “Internet of things (IoT)” slideshow
  • "Save energy scenarios" handout, print one copy per group, plan for 2-4 students per group
  • Access to internet or other research tools
  • "Internet of thingsvideo

Internet of things (IoT)

  1. Begin with a class discussion about the term “Internet of things (IoT)”, and share the definition that it’s a network of physical objects or things that are embedded with technology to enable connection and exchange of data.
  2. Watch the "Internet of things" video to provide an overview on the IoT. 
  3. Show the “Internet of things (IoT)” slideshow with examples of IoT smart connected devices like devices that control your lights by phone, a smart plug which allows you to turn off devices remotely, and smart thermostats that learn your schedule and adjust heating and cooling according to your needs. 
  4. Engage in a class discussion on the IoT exploring:
    • IoT devices students use in their everyday life they may have heard about like connected appliances and smart home devices
    • Benefits of the IoT to society and individuals like energy conservation, improved efficiency and convenience, health and entertainment
    • Challenges of the IoT like security, privacy, and wealth inequality

Save energy with IoT

  1. Provide students, in small groups, with the "Save energy scenarios" handout.
  2. Ask each group to choose one of the three scenarios, with the goal to reduce energy consumption and reduce the monthly energy bill. Students are invited to create an IoT plan considering what uses energy in their chosen scenario, and what IoT solutions they could recommend (existing or created). Each scenario outlines things to consider like occupancy, habits, weather, budget constraints and challenges with lighting, heating, appliances, plug loads, equipment, and media.
  3. Invite students to share their IoT plans as a class.

Modify or extend this activity

Extension

Make an IoT map

  1. Ask students to create a visual IoT map to show how devices can connect. Have students choose one example of an existing IoT device, and invent one that could benefit society.
  2. The visual map shows how devices could connect, not only to a server and smartphone, but also to each other. For example the map could depict a smartwatch with a sensor that connects to a smart thermostat and controls room temperature based on your body temperature, and connects to the hot water heater to start heating water when you finish your run.

Modifications

Students can participate in these activities in school or at home. 

Curriculum Fit

Entrepreneurship and Marketing 10

Content

  • Life cycle of a product from invention/innovation to the marketplace
  • Ethical marketing strategies
  • Forms of marketing
  • Online marketing concepts
  • Customer needs, wants, and demands


Computer Studies 10

Content

  • Design opportunities
  • Computer security risks
  • Wired and wireless computer networking
  • Evolution of digital technology and the impact on traditional models of computing
  • Risks and rewards associated with big data, multi-device connectivity, and the Internet of things


Entrepreneurship and Marketing, and Computer Studies 10

Curricular competencies

Applied skills
  • Demonstrate an awareness of precautionary and emergency safety procedures in both physical and digital environments
Applied technologies
  • Choose, adapt, and if necessary learn more about appropriate tools and technologies to use for tasks
  • Evaluate impacts, including unintended negative consequences, of choices made about technology use


Computer Information Systems 11

Content

  • Design opportunities
  • Evolution of computer technology, including hardware, software, networks, and the Internet
  • Future technologies and potential societal impacts
  • Appropriate use of technology, including digital citizenship, etiquette, and literacy

Curricular competencies

Applied technologies
  • Explore existing, new, and emerging tools, technologies, and systems to evaluate their suitability for their design interests
  • Evaluate impacts, including unintended negative consequences, of choices made about technology use
  • Analyze the role technologies play in societal change


Science for Citizens 11

Content

  • Practical applications of science
  • Impacts of technology in the workplace
  • Beneficial scientific innovations

Curricular competencies

Questioning and predicting
  • Demonstrate a sustained intellectual curiosity about a scientific topic or problem of personal interest
  • Make observations aimed at identifying their own questions, including increasingly complex ones, about the natural world


Urban Studies 12

Content

  • Urban planning and design


Economics 12

Content

  • Consumer choice and elasticity
  • Government actions and impact on the market
  • Competition in the market
  • Global markets
  • Economics in everyday life
  • Interpersonal and presentation skills to promote products or services and to interact with potential customers/clients

Curricular competencies

Applied design
  • Generate ideas, individually and collaboratively
  • Critically analyze how competing social, ethical, and sustainability factors impact the economics of global needs for preferred futures
Applied technologies
  • Explore existing, new, and emerging tools, technologies, and systems to further support facts and findings
  • Evaluate impacts, including unintended negative consequences, of choices made about technology use
  • Analyze the role and personal, interpersonal, social, and environmental impacts of technologies in societal change
  • Examine and analyze how cultural beliefs, values, and ethical positions affect the economics of the development and use of technologies on a national and global level


Business Computer Applications 12 

Content

  • Basic operating systems and software operations on multiple platforms
  • Industry-standard business application software
  • Efficient integration of multiple software components within all aspects of business application suites
  • File management techniques

Curricular competencies

Applied technologies
  • Explore existing, new, and emerging tools, technologies, and systems and evaluate their suitability for the task at hand
  • Evaluate impacts, including unintended negative consequences, of choices made about technology use
  • Analyze the role and personal, interpersonal, social, and environmental impacts of technologies in societal change
  • Identify appropriate tools, technologies, materials, processes, and time needed for production, and where/how these could be made available
  • Use tools and technologies for efficiency
  • Use business productivity software to manipulate data and find solutions to business problems


Housing and Living Environments 12

Content

  • Service design opportunities that include housing and living environments
  • Materials that enhance and improve a living space, including elements and principles of design
  • Societal trends, including ethical, environmental, and political factors and how they affect shelter/housing needs


Computer Information Systems 12

Content

  • Design opportunities
  • Global and societal shifts resulting from emerging technologies, the Internet, and the ubiquity of online access
  • Awareness and understanding of digital security risks
  • Appropriate use of technology, including digital citizenship, etiquette, and literacy


Housing and Living Environments, and Computer Information Systems 12

 Curricular competencies

Applied technologies
  • Explore existing, new, and emerging tools and technologies and evaluate suitability for design interests
  • Evaluate impacts, including unintended negative consequences, of choices made about technology use
  • Analyze the role technologies play in designed environments and societal change
  • Examine how cultural beliefs, values, and ethical positions affect the development and use of technologies (Housing and Living Environments 12)

Teaching Notes

IoT, smart homes and saving energy

With wireless home networks, we can monitor and adjust everything from heating in our homes to our security systems with a few taps and a swipe within an app. Experts say it gives us greater control, offers increased home security, and can even help us cut back on our energy costs. For energy savings consider smart thermostats and lighting. For home safety consider devices which set off an alarm in the event of a fire. For home security consider smart deadbolt door locks and alarm systems. 

IoT in the classroom

Use of IoT and smart devices has a role in the education system in many areas like monitoring of student progress, interactive smart boards, managing energy and safety. Cost and security, however, are two barriers for IoT adoption in schools. For more information, check out this article

10 top examples of IoT in 2020

  1. Home security
  2. Activity trackers
  3. Digital twins, an identical digital copy of a physical object
  4. Self-healing machines, using sensors, artificial intelligence and machine learning
  5. AR (Augmented Reality) glasses, computer eyeglasses for hands-free work
  6. Ingestible sensors, to monitor diseases conditions
  7. Smart farming, to monitor weather, soil composition, soil moisture, and crop health/growth 
  8. Smart contact lenses to collect health data 
  9. Industrial security and safety
  10. Motion detection to detect movement in structures of buildings, bridges, and dams

Challenges facing the IoT

The IoT is fast becoming integrated into the way people live and connect. There are many advantages but there are also issues that need addressing like security, regulation, compatibility, bandwidth and customer expectations. The tech industry, government and consumers will all play a role in solving these issues to make the IoT a benefit for society in many areas including energy conservation, safety, health and entertainment. 

Assessment

  • Assess students’ ability to connect and engage with others to share and develop ideas and solutions.
  • Assess students’ ability to communicate how IoT devices can help people save energy.
  • Assess students’ critical and reflective thinking on the benefits and challenges of the IoT.

Downloads

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