The Internet of Things is basically like living in the world of “Toy Story.” Inanimate things can sense and communicate with both people and things.
Your smartphone is an obvious example: it knows where you are, where your car is parked, when you are moving, and what you are saying. Your Fit-bit bracelet may keep track of your steps, calories, and sleep cycles. Your sprinklers, thermostats, and even the app-colored vibrators are all objects that are ALMOST personified to the level of animated characters.
The Internet of Things was born when there were more things on the internet than people, in the year 2008. The things that can sense, communicate, and accumulate data, in theory, are of great interest to the tech moguls like Google and Samsung. Google just purchased Nest, a company that makes thermostats and smoke detectors, for 3.2 billion dollars.
Companies are clearly investing in the internet of thing and for future jobs, it’s paramount to be well versed so you’re not only hirable but indispensable to future employers. Further, understanding both the benefits and risks can help you further the internet of things along in the safest way to fellow humankind. There are tons of online classes, free or subscription-based, at your fingertips! Orient yourself to the fundamentals of the internet of things, whether you’re a novice or programmer.
1) Lynda: If you’re a LinkedIn premium member, you get Lynda classes for free. Then share your class certificate on your LinkedIn profile, perfect for job searches!
2) Coursera: Offered through the University of California-Irvine, a renowned university amongst the tech community. Irvine itself is a high-tech hub.
3) IBM: IBM offers a FREE course called “A Developer’s Guide to the Internet of Things.” This Introductory course offers knowledge of basic programming skills: Python and JavaScript.
4) Udemy: Want to pay $12 per class to learn about IoT? Consider Udemy. Great way to taste and not commit.
5) Udacity: Offering an entire school devoted to Artificial Intelligence courses and nano degrees for the latest high-tech studies, you can get an in-depth offering for the internet of things and far more to stay educated in today’s AI climate. You even get paired with a career coach to help you in your job search!
6) Plural Sight: Only $35 a month for access to the entire course archive or $299 for the full year. However, you could also take advantage of a 10-day free trial to try out these Internet of Things courses, a perfect way to learn and get a taste for this subscription-based learning platform.
7) Alison: FREE! Perfect for training in cloud-based IoT and features 3 classes.
8) MOOC( Massive Open Online Courses): FREE and from renowned professors all over the world!
9) Experfy: An AI-focused course website created by Harvard professors. $79 for the bundle of the Internet of Things courses and career consulting part of the package!
10) EdX: Microsoft has its hands in these FREE courses as well as MIT and Harvard, so this offers the mix of academic and professional expertise in learning IoT.
If you want to learn about IoT, there are plenty of opportunities online that will aid in the basics all the way through to some of the highest levels. You can take courses for work or even academic credit, as well as for your own personal knowledge or work skill. The Internet of Things industry is growing and over the next half-decade will continue to present many new improvements and sub-technologies.
