What is the Internet of Things, and why is it important to learn about?

The Internet of Things, abbreviated IoT, expands access to the world-wide web from computers, smartphones, and other typical devices to create a vast network of appliances, toys, apparel, and other goods that are capable of connecting to the internet. These goods, which range from refrigerators to bicycles and everything in between, are equipped with computer chips, microcontrollers, and sensors that can collect and transmit data. The IoT is important to study for learners interested in enabling the development of IoT products, as well as in gleaning the data generated by them.

Can I take free IoT courses on Coursera?

Yes. You can start learning IoT on Coursera for free in two ways: Preview the first module of many IoT courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available). Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial. If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in IoT, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn IoT?

The skills and experience that you might need to already have before starting to learn IoT would likely include an interest in engineering and embedded systems, a deep understanding of the internet and how it’s transforming society, and how devices are impacting businesses and consumers because of the Internet of Things. Some of the practical areas to learn might include C or C++ programming, debugging, and API setups. In effect, IoT takes normal, everyday objects and turns them into smart devices that can do a number of things, like automate tasks, transmit data, and emit sounds, without the person having to press buttons or click manually on the device. Having the knowledge of how software and hardware work together for these IoT devices can help you in your internet-focused career.

How do I know if learning IoT is right for me?

You might know if learning IoT is right for you if you want to gain a stronger knowledge about the latest advances in technology, and how they are impacting our modern society. Clearly, if you love health and fitness tracking wearable devices or home voice assistants, and use all the gadgetry and technology in your car and embedded tech in your kitchen tools, then it would be a good guess that learning IoT is right for you.

Top Iot Courses - Learn Iot Online

Explore the IoT Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
An Introduction to Programming the Internet of Things (IOT)
Skills you'll gain: Test Planning, Embedded Systems, Linux, Internet Of Things, Embedded Software, Functional Requirement, Debugging, General Networking, Hardware Design, Systems Design, Operating Systems, Requirements Analysis, Electronic Hardware, System Design and Implementation, C (Programming Language), Basic Electrical Systems, Application Programming Interface (API), TCP/IP, Integrated Development Environments, Python Programming
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
20K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
Introduction to the Internet of Things and Embedded Systems
Skills you'll gain: Embedded Systems, Internet Of Things, General Networking, Operating Systems, Wireless Networks, Network Protocols, Computer Hardware, Emerging Technologies
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
13K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Pohang University of Science and Technology(POSTECH)
Introduction and Programming with IoT Boards
Skills you'll gain: Internet Of Things, Wireless Networks, General Networking, Emerging Technologies, Electronic Hardware, Embedded Systems, Information Technology Architecture, Infrastructure Architecture, Software Architecture, Computer Hardware, Computer Programming Tools, Python Programming, Problem Solving
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
IIT Bombay
Introduction to Internet of Things
Skills you'll gain: Internet Of Things, Network Protocols, Wireless Networks, General Networking, Emerging Technologies, Data Analysis, Systems Design, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Regression Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Unsupervised Learning
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
60 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Hands-on Internet of Things
Skills you'll gain: Internet Of Things, Networking Hardware, Network Infrastructure, Network Routers, Embedded Software, General Networking, Network Switches, Network Protocols, Network Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, Wireless Networks, Local Area Networks, Infrastructure Security, Wide Area Networks, Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN), Emerging Technologies, Telecommunications, Distributed Computing, Python Programming, Machine Learning
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
590 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Yonsei University
IoT (Internet of Things) Wireless & Cloud Computing Emerging Technologies
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Computing Architecture, Wireless Networks, Cloud Computing, Cloud Services, Internet Of Things, Emerging Technologies, Network Architecture, Telecommunications, Amazon Web Services, General Networking, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Software As A Service, Network Protocols, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, Real Time Data
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
IoT Devices
Skills you'll gain: Internet Of Things, Embedded Software, Wireless Networks, Network Protocols, Emerging Technologies, Data Science, Embedded Systems, Network Infrastructure, General Networking, Network Security, Amazon Web Services, Cloud Platforms
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
508 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
Skills you'll gain: Internet Of Things, Manufacturing Operations, Digital Transformation, Technology Solutions, Business Technologies, Business Transformation, Cloud Computing, Automation, Operational Efficiency, Emerging Technologies, System Implementation, Technology Strategies, Real Time Data, Value Propositions, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Cybersecurity, Scalability
Build toward a degree
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
189 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
EIT Digital
Architecting Smart IoT Devices
Skills you'll gain: Real-Time Operating Systems, Embedded Systems, Threat Modeling, Systems Architecture, Debugging, Computer Architecture, Hardware Architecture, System Programming, Internet Of Things, Application Security, General Networking, Wireless Networks, Operating Systems, Performance Tuning, Linux, Microsoft Windows
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
339 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
EDUCBA
IoT Enabled Farming
Skills you'll gain: Internet Of Things, Big Data, Data Management, Wireless Networks, Predictive Analytics, Emerging Technologies, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Real Time Data, Automation, Environmental Science, Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Data Collection
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
171 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Getting started with Azure IOT Hub
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Azure, Data Visualization, Microsoft Excel, Internet Of Things, Cloud Storage, Data Storage Technologies, Data Analysis Software, Data Import/Export, Data Pipelines
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
76 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
EIT Digital
Introduction to Architecting Smart IoT Devices
Skills you'll gain: Unified Modeling Language, Embedded Systems, Internet Of Things, Software Development Life Cycle, Systems Architecture, Systems Design, Software Architecture, Technical Design, Prototyping, Requirements Analysis
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
310 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks