Who it is for
- Learners interested in sensing environments and connecting physical devices
- Coders and makers ready to think about systems beyond one machine
Programme / IoT and smart systems
A connected device is useful only when its data leads to a responsible action.
Learners trace the complete path from physical measurement to transmitted data, interpretation, decision and feedback.
Start with one trustworthy measurement before adding connectivity.OPENQUESTION
01 / Question02 / Understand03 / Build04 / Verify01
BIAA / FIT
Who this learning direction is for
Placement is based on readiness, prior experience and learning goals rather than age alone.
- 01Learners interested in sensing environments and connecting physical devices
- 02Coders and makers ready to think about systems beyond one machine
- 03Prerequisite: Introductory projects can begin with one sensor and local display
- 04Prerequisite: Networked work requires basic coding and careful handling of credentials
02
BIAA / QUESTIONS
Questions learners investigate
Each unit begins with a question that can be explored through observation, code, construction or evidence.
- 01What does the sensor actually measure?
- 02Which decisions should happen locally and which require communication?
- 03How can a useful system collect less data?
03
BIAA / LEARNING
What learners practise
Technical knowledge is developed alongside planning, documentation, testing and explanation.
- 01Sensors, sampling and calibration
- 02Microcontrollers, state and local control
- 03Messages, networks and failure modes
- 04Dashboards, thresholds and notifications
- 05Privacy, security and maintenance
04
BIAA / OUTCOMES
What learners produce
The expected outcome is a documented learning artefact, not an unverified promise of awards or certification.
- 01A bounded sensing-and-response prototype
- 02A data-flow diagram showing collection, storage and action
- 03Tests for missing, delayed or implausible data
05
BIAA / PROCESS
Learning process and assessment
Learners move through a repeatable cycle and receive feedback against visible criteria.
- 01Define the decision the system should support
- 02Calibrate one measurement
- 03Add local logic before networking
- 04Test communication failure and revise
- 05Assessment: Measurements are interpreted within sensor limits
- 06Assessment: The response can be traced through the data flow
- 07Assessment: Failure behaviour and maintenance needs are documented
06
BIAA / RESPONSIBILITY
Safety, ethics and the next step
Responsible making is part of the curriculum whenever tools, data, AI or autonomous systems are involved.
- 01Credentials are never embedded in public code
- 02Projects minimise personal and continuous monitoring
- 03Human notification is preferred over risky autonomous action in classroom prototypes
- 04Next: Integrate a smart system into robotics or applied science
- 05Next: Use a capstone to connect sensing, data and a designed intervention
BIAA / PROGRAMME FRAMEWORK
What learners make visible
Starting point
- Introductory projects can begin with one sensor and local display
- Networked work requires basic coding and careful handling of credentials
Core questions
- What does the sensor actually measure?
- Which decisions should happen locally and which require communication?
- How can a useful system collect less data?
What learners investigate
- Sensors, sampling and calibration
- Microcontrollers, state and local control
- Messages, networks and failure modes
- Dashboards, thresholds and notifications
- Privacy, security and maintenance
Project evidence
- A bounded sensing-and-response prototype
- A data-flow diagram showing collection, storage and action
- Tests for missing, delayed or implausible data
Learning process
- Define the decision the system should support
- Calibrate one measurement
- Add local logic before networking
- Test communication failure and revise
How progress is reviewed
- Measurements are interpreted within sensor limits
- The response can be traced through the data flow
- Failure behaviour and maintenance needs are documented
Safety & ethics
- Credentials are never embedded in public code
- Projects minimise personal and continuous monitoring
- Human notification is preferred over risky autonomous action in classroom prototypes
Where this can lead
- Integrate a smart system into robotics or applied science
- Use a capstone to connect sensing, data and a designed intervention
Questions to ask
Does IoT mean every project must use the internet?
No. Local sensing and control may be safer and more appropriate; networking is added only when it serves the task.
Will projects collect real personal data?
The default is to avoid it. Synthetic or environmental data should be used whenever it can answer the learning question.
BIAA / NEXT STEP
Choose a smart-systems pathway Choose a smart-systems pathway
Start with one trustworthy measurement before adding connectivity.