Topic One (1.1): Introduction and Your place in the IoT

Topics Icon.png Objectives for this topic

By the end of this topic you should be able to:

  • describe your place in the IoT.

You might also be able to:

  • describe a range of IoT devices.

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

We are no longer alone. We are connected with a whole world, not just of people, but of devices. When the internet was first envisioned, an addressing system was designed that would enable 4.3 billion devices to each exist on the internet. 4.3 billion! And guess what? We ran out some years ago! That’s just how many things are now using the internet. This topic will teach you about where you sit in this Internet of Things (IoT).

Interact Icon.png Working through your coursebook

Before you start, read the Introduction on page 6 and 7 in your book, ‘How to use this book’, this explains how the pages are broken up into different sections.

Read pages 8–9 in your Computing Stage 7 book.

  • Make sure you understand the scenario on page 9.
  • Consider the thought questions in the grey-green boxes. (The one on page 8 says smart devices: What smart devices do you own?)  Create mini mind-maps to try to answer each one. Instead of your school network, consider your home network. This is an example of what ‘my mini mind-map’ for smart devices looks like:

Example of a mind map  

  • The keywords in the blue Keyword boxes and highlighted in orange (or blue) in the text are useful, not just for within this topic, but throughout the module and even the whole subject.
  • Watch the video below on how to make flashcards using Cram.com:

(Note. If the video looks blurry you can select a higher bandwidth by clicking on the cog symbol on the bottom right of the video. You can also make it full screen by clicking on the double headed arrow next to the cog symbol)

  • Add in the words and definitions. You will add to these flashcards throughout the course.
  • Read pages 10–11 in your Computing Stage 7 book.
  • Complete the practice activity on page 11 creating an infographic how you are connected to the internet. Note. Try to talk to parents, family and friends for the discussion points in the book, if this is not possible just think about the points yourself.
  • Complete the evaluation and generalisation activity (obviously you won’t be able to compare with others in this task, or others like it on the course, but the points to think about are still important).
  • Make sure that you understand the key words described on page 10. Add them to your cram.com flashcards.

Review Icon.png Review

Reflect upon the four pages you have just covered. In your notes, summarise:

  • what you have learned;
  • what you already knew;
  • what surprised you;
  • what you are curious to know more about.

Bridge Icon.png Support activity for this topic

 An interesting video on IoT:

Stretch Icon.png Extension activity for this topic

READ - Wikipedia page on IoT (Wikipedia) Links to an external site.