Facilitators page
This project is a fun and easy introduction to the Internet of Things which will help you visualize the exchange of data between devices. We aim for students to construct a basic understanding of data sharing between platforms, permissions given to said platforms in terms of passwords, keys, usernames. The focus is on users using prior knowledge of social media platforms and translate their current knowledge of aggregated data into a visual representation. We then use an iterative process to give them a chance to try out many platforms and get comfortable with the amount and type of data gathered. We want students to construct a bridge between see/unseen data and their personal lives. Learners work together to negotiate each phase of the process, including selecting relevant data, suggesting an idea to focus on, and starting to develop a visual representation. Translating the data into a ‘story’ is a key part of this activity. Students will start to make key decisions which will affect the physical construction, such as the type of engagement or notification they want to pursue and how this looks like in the real world.
material
| hardware | software | craft |
|---|---|---|
| microcontroller | arduino IDE | paper |
| LiPo battery | zapier account | scissors |
| servo | adafruit.io account | glue |
| wires | social media account | etc... |
| neopixels |
what does data look like
twitter example
visible tweet
JSON
Metadata and data pulled from twitter by zapier
create the digital workflow
zapier link
Zapier is a platform that allows us to automate tasks. For our purpose, it streamlines the interactions between platforms and showcases the data that we care about while hiding the querring, requests, authentication usually required when talking to an API.
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exit_to_appTrigger
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appsApp + Event
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person_addAccount
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notificationsTrigger
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verified_userTest
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Action - Adafruit.io
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appsApp + Event
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person_addAccount
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notificationsAction
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verified_userTest
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adafruit.io link
Adafruit.io is a platform that allows to display, respond and interact with our project's data over the internet without code. It allows us to upload data and easily access it thanks to libraries already built for us.
1. Create an adafruit.io account
Go to Feeds
2. Create a new Feed
3. Feed Name will become your Feed_Key
4. To give access to Adafruit.io to your microcontroller
example
Here is a quick example of 3 different platforms, and how we authorize them to talk to each other.
create the physical signal
hardware
One can assemble multiple servos, neopixels, LEDs... here is the schematics for a servo
Follow the diagram below and connect your servo, battery and USB cable to the microcontroller.
Orange wire to Pin 14
Red wire to 3V (power)
Brown wire to GND (ground)
software
To get started you will need install the USB driver and the arduino IDE.
Plug your microcontroller into the USB port of your computer.
Open the Arduino IDE and follow the steps below.
1. Install the ESP8266 Board package
2. In the Board Manager, install the ESP8266 package
3. Restart the IDE, and select Adafruit Feather HUZZAH ESP8266
Look at the settings and make sure they match
4. Open the 'wave code' and add your personal information.
Upload the code to your microcontroller. (right facing arrow)
paper artifact link
Physical artifacts can be built from any craft material you have on hand. We offer two boxes' templates, although we encourage you to create your own, so it better matches your aesthetics and meaning.
data
Final video class presentation