APPLYING REACTIVE BLOCKS IN COURSES OF INTERNET OF THINGS

In recent years the bachelor degree course „Internet of Things“ (IoT) is widely introduced in most universities. Students are introduced to the basic schemes, concepts and infrastructure of the IoT based systems and applications. The focus is on software of such kind of systems, where each device can communicate with other devices, interchanging data, provide services, or be operated remotely through internet with or without human participation.

The article presents the experience from the application of reactive blocks techniques in implementation of a real IoT system’s prototype in classes in some Bulgarian universities. Reactive blocks introduce software modulation and allow graphic and code integration. The main emphasis in this training is the introduction of Reactive Blocks SDK as instrument for IoT application development through specific tasks. Some examples demonstrating how Reactive Blocks facilitate innovative applications in the field of Internet of things are considered. Resulting applications can be used on different microcomputers such as: Raspberry Pi, Arduino, etc.

Some problems arising during the training are analyzed. Discussed are opportunities to improve learning results from "Internet of things" course. The choice of the Project based approach in teaching disciplines in the area is motivated.