IoTalho: IoT Advancing Learning from High-tech Objects

This paper aims to present a platform to support the learning of high school students (without previous programming knowledge) for the development of technological solutions supported by the Internet of Things concept. This platform is designed from the integration of the following modules: A user-friendly visual programming environment for a specific microcontroller architecture; Web resource sharing tools assisting students in the tasks of communication and socialization of their projects (e.g., Wikis, Forums, Social Networks); A middleware, responsible for the communication between users (interfacing remotely with a teacher from a Web page) and sensors/actuators, present in an architecture remotely monitored by a teacher. With this proposal, it is expected that learners involved can be motivated and attracted by subjects related to the fields of Computer Science and (Electrical, Electronics, Mechatronics) Engineering. A scenario-based evaluation was performed to validate this platform.