Training the Trainers in Elementary and High Schools on IoT Using Design Thinking Approaches

Abstract

This article describes how the authors apply and implement teaching methods using design thinking approaches to train in IoT (Internet of Things). The purpose of this study is to determine how well of design thinking with IoT topics to teachers and students, and how we could improve teaching or coaching strategies. Participants in this study are the researcher as the trainers, 20 to 30 teachers from different schools and 20 to 30 on each high school student (Grade 9 to Grade 12) as the trainee perform group projects. By collecting observations from trainee's activity outcome on each step of design thinking approach to deliver problem solving projects with IoT, the researcher applies narrative analysis to interpret patterns or characters on each activity. Each approach involved with activities which develop teachers or students to make their own learning and understanding problem and complete their IoT prototype projects within 4-5 days. Not only electronics devices and embedded systems and programming are used but also recycled materials. LEGO alike blocks are setup for learning activities corresponded to levels of students and available school resources. Different sets of learning activities in this article are adjusted attributable to education levels and individual school resources. From the analysis after the trainings, the conclusion shows how the researcher can improve by applying appropriate hardware/software in learning activities on different education levels and apply the design thinking more efficiently in teaching or coaching teachers and student in schools.