The Level of Interest and Readiness of Students Towards the Introduction to The Concept of IoT Using the Home Automation Kit System

Abstract

With the rise of Industry 4.0 in the Industrial Revolution, educational approaches are rapidly adapting to include technological advances. A notable advance is the Internet of Things (IoT), which facilitates the interconnection of devices for automated processes, offering great opportunities to enrich educational methods. This research delves into introducing IoT principles to students through Home Automation Kit Systems, to increase their interest and readiness for this technology. Despite the integration of IoT in various sectors, students often struggle to understand its theoretical aspects without practical exposure. Conventional teaching techniques fail to prepare students for real-world IoT applications, prompting the need for innovative strategies to bridge this gap. This study aims to measure students' interest and readiness towards the concept of IoT through the Home Automation Kit System. This research involved 22 students of the Diploma in Electrical & Electronics Engineering (DEE) and Diploma in Communication Electronics Engineering (DEP) programs at Mukah Sarawak Polytechnic who attended the DEC50132 Internet Base Controller course in session II:2023/2024. This study uses quantitative methods, and questionnaires are used to assess interest and readiness. Data were analyzed using R programming, providing a comprehensive statistical analysis of the responses. The results indicated a high level of interest, with statements such as "Exploring the home automation system kit can be a fun experience" and "Using this home automation system kit will be an interesting learning experience" receiving a perfect score of 1.00. Students also strongly agree with the interactive and motivational nature of the system compared to conventional methods (mean score 1.00). However, confidence in using IoT concepts showed a slightly lower mean score at 0.82, indicating areas for improvement in practical understanding. The results suggest that the Home Automation Kit System effectively increases students' interest and willingness to learn IoT concepts. Students widely acknowledged the attractive nature of the system and its potential to enhance understanding. Nevertheless, a stronger emphasis on practical applications is necessary to increase students' confidence in using IoT concepts in practical settings. This study highlights the importance of integrating hands-on learning tools to equip students for the technological challenges of the future.