Developing competences on the Internet of Things through digital fabrication laboratories

Before the start of the project, there was a significant lack of structured and openly accessible training materials for supporting FabLab users and FabLab tutors/teachers, especially in advanced technology areas such as IoT, 5G, AI/Big Data, and Blockchain. While FabLabs existed in many universities and innovation hubs, their educational offer was fragmented, lacked a common pedagogical framework, and was often limited to basic prototyping skills. The project addressed the following needs: • Development of a consistent curriculum for IoT-oriented FabLabs. • Creation of blended learning resources (face-to-face, online, and workshop-based) accessible to multiple target groups (university students, professors, companies, and secondary school students). • Building tutor competences to deliver high-quality, hands-on IoT training linked to real-world applications in industry and research. • Providing open access to learning resources, enabling wider use in Europe and beyond.

The main objectives were: • Develop learning and teaching strategies for FabLabs focused on IoT-related technologies, integrating Blockchain, AI/Big Data. • Design and implement didactic methods covering university degree students, teachers, and the general public. • Create learning material in blended format (e-learning, face-to-face sessions, and workshops). • Develop a complete curriculum for IoT prototyping, manufacturing, and application of AI/Big Data technologies in industry-like scenarios. • Train FabLab tutors to apply new methods and materials effectively. • Test and validate the materials through pilot courses in partner countries. • Publish an open-access toolkit for wider use.

Across the project lifecycle, we implemented: - User needs survey: A survey on IoT FabLab needs across five countries (187 participants, 92 completed) showed that educators (53%), students (25%), and technical staff (22%) have strong technical but weaker pedagogical skills, highlighting the need for digital pedagogy training. Participants prefer blended, hands-on learning over remote labs. Key technology priorities include IoT, robotics, AI, 3D printing, and CAD/CAE. Limited FabLab awareness indicates a need for stronger promotion. - Guidelines for IoT FabLab development with pedagogical strategies, modular content, and equipment recommendations. - Four multimedia learning modules: DIY IoT, High-tech IoT, Blockchain, and Big Data & AI. - E-learning platform: course.fabs-erasmus.eu with interactive H5P activities, videos, and materials. - Workshops held in Ljubljana, Vigo, Bremen, Treviso, and Porto. - CPD courses for teachers to validate training and collect feedback. - EduFabLab Toolkit: fabs-erasmus.eu/toolkit with validated content and open licenses. - Dissemination: multiplier events, conferences, social media, and Erasmus+ Results Platform.

The main tangible and intangible results include: • EduFabLab Toolkit – freely accessible, modular IoT learning package in English, Slovenian, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and German. (https://toolkit.fabs-erasmus.eu/). • Four interactive learning modules with multimedia content, videos, exercises, and self-assessment quizzes, available via the project platform. https://course.fabs-erasmus.eu/ • Guidelines for IoT FabLab development – covering pedagogy, technology integration, gender inclusion, and sustainability (https://fabs-erasmus.eu/documents/Guidelines%20for%20IoT%20FabLab%20development.pdf ). • CPD teacher training programme – tested in all partner countries with positive feedback and documented improvements. • Network of trained FabLab tutors equipped to deliver IoT, Blockchain, AI/Big Data education. • Increased awareness and capacity for using FabLabs in STEM and STEAM education, including for social sciences students. • Open access resources published on the project website and e-learning platform, ensuring long-term availability. https://toolkit.fabs-erasmus.eu/course/fablabs_course.zip