How To Learn IOT? A Simple Guide In 4 Points

 

Introduction

A search for colleges in India that offer IoT courses as a mainstream subject will be a daunting task. This is simply because there is no institute that actually offers a full-time course in IoT. The education sector still lacks in imbibing courses in emerging technologies like Data Science, Big Data, Machine Learning or the Internet of Things. In an ever-evolving domain like these, only theoretical knowledge would not be enough to make you industry-ready. There one needs to be proactive on how to learn IoT through practical applications.

The ‘Internet of Things’ as a domain has seen a drastic rise in interest with users. Moreover, you should also know that the job market in the IoT is continuously evolving in terms of demand and growth.  This means that there are newer roles popping up every other day and you could fit in anywhere in the industry if you have the right skills. There are specialists required in every sector like IoT security experts, cloud architects and more. Depending on how versatile you are, you could get accommodated anywhere in the industry. Being specialized in emerging technologies means you cannot be replaced by automation or you don’t have to worry about your skills becoming obsolete anytime soon.

In this article, we will explore the best way to learn IoT in 2021. But first, let’s understand the basics of IoT.

1. What is IoT?
2. Why do you need to learn IoT?
3. How to Learn IoT?
4. Iot Facts of the Millenium

1. What is IoT?

Internet of Things (IoT) can be defined as a network of physical devices or ‘objects’ that are embedded with all kinds of advanced technologies like sensors, software etc with the sole purpose of being able to connect and communicate with other devices and systems and be able to exchange data and resources over the internet.

2. Why do you need to learn IoT?

IoT as technology simply makes everyday things ‘smarter’. This is done by enabling the transfer of data, automating tasks without any actual human or manual interference. An IoT device can be literally anything from smart lights, a heartbeat monitoring watch to an advanced CCTV camera which can be controlled and maintained without any actual physical intervention. The complete idea of IoT is simply to make life as easier and as comfortable as possible. Therefore the need to learn IoT

3. How to Learn IoT?

If you have always wanted to do something innovative and work on breakthrough technologies, then IoT might just be your cup of tea. However, with the lack of many affordable prescribed curricula, you need to be proactive and shoulder the responsibility on yourself. As an IoT enthusiast, here are a few steps you need to keep in mind while educating yourself about IoT and its vast benefits. 

1. Start With A Small Project

Your first steps to learn IoT need not be big or complicated. Choose a small project that requires components and programming which are well within your limits of knowledge. Experiment with what you have to understand what you need. This will carve a pathway of excellence slowly where you can push the frontiers of your acquired knowledge to create complicated programs and devices.  

2. Focus On Programming Language

Although there are an array of programming languages available in the market, it is important to figure out what is essential for you to master IoT. JavaScript and Python are your best choices when it comes to programming languages for IoT. they are the most popular languages as they are web-based languages that can be utilized both for back-end data processing and the actual processing on the device. JavaScript as a language is highly data-driven and is capable of reacting to the new data received and triggering the necessary actions accordingly. Having an in-depth knowledge of the programming languages will ensure that the software part of the work is cut out for you without much hassle.

3. Knowledge Of Internet

The Internet as a concept is too huge for anyone to know in one single glance. Yet, a deep knowledge of the same is essential for creating a successful IoT product. The Internet is the string that holds all the devices, data and actions in an IoT ecosystem together. Having an idea about the protocols, laws and limitations will help you to calibrate your devices and write your programs accordingly. 

4. Familiarity With Sensors

Having a deep knowledge of sensors and wireless communications forms the core of IoT. A well designed sensor with a strong wireless communication network programming accounts for a good IoT product. U need to be able to program the sensors to receive data, store them, analyze the same and respond accurately to trigger the necessary actions. A background in computers or electrical engineering can be an added advantage here. 

5. The Right Hardware To Learn Iot

There are several inexpensive hardware systems available to kickstart your IoT project. The most popular ones are Arduino boards, Particle.io, Raspberry Pi which can be your reliable hardware components to start building your projects. Do thorough research regarding the pros and cons of each hardware before finalizing any of them. Choose a component that best adheres and is the most compatible with the requirements of your device. 

6.  Focus On Interface

The user interference is of primary importance while building an IoT device. Work on making the product as easy as possible to understand as well as to use. This will give you extra points as a product if a user does not find any difficulty in using it. A strong user interface means the product is bound to be more popular and have a lot more users wanting it. 

7. Do Not Limit Your Knowledge

Never stop yourself from learning. Do not limit yourself only to programming languages and sensor knowledge. Explore your learning in Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). For IoT to be completely automated in the near future for all platforms of services, ML and AI are very essential. Acquiring deep knowledge of them will definitely ensure that you are well equipped to build products that can easily accustom to emerging technologies and their needs. 

8. Be Confident About Your Skills

The more you doubt your skills, the stronger it will hinder your capabilities to create anything new or innovative. Be confident about what you know and build your product around the same. You can learn along the way and improvise your products and their complexity with time. Being confident will ensure you can expand your perspective and invest in fresh innovations.

9. Build A Community And Be Up To Date

The best way to be inventive is to brainstorm. Either join a community or build a community of people with similar interests. This will vastly increase the reach of your ideas, along with providing guidance, new concepts and interesting suggestions helping you to progress in your learning. This community of people will also help you and encourage you to push your limits for great output. More the interest, the higher is the fasciation for any particular area of knowledge. And the field of IoT is constantly evolving with unprecedented inventions. Keep yourself updated with all the developments and knowledge. This will help you to be more practical and innovative with your design and products. 

10. Join An Online Course

Although no formal education institute offers a full-time course on IoT, there are several education platforms that offer strong courses. You can always sign up for one of them to learn the basics of IoT from industry experts and also get a chance to understand how IoT is relevant in today’s business world. The IoT program by Jigsaw Academy is one of the most sought-after and reliable courses that you can join to begin your journey as an IoT professional. 

4. Iot Facts of the Millenium

With rapid demand in emerging technologies, IoT as a technology has numerous applications and multiple uses. With every aspect of our personal and professional life is greatly influenced by IoT, it is not long before when the world will be taken over by it.

Conclusion

IoT as an emerging technology has found immense application in our daily lives. This has led to a huge rise in the demand for skilled professionals. Taking up a course or learning from videos will not mark the end of your learning journey. You must keep working on projects and develop miniature programs, robots and devices that would give you first-hand exposure and information on the technicalities of the industry.

Learn IoT from the best in the industry for a more profound experience. If you are really interested in getting started with IoT, you can check out our courses or talk to us in person and we would help you chart a career path. Good luck!