Integrating an AI-Assisted IoT Activity into a University Agricultural Electricity Course

Abstract

An artificial intelligence (AI)-supported Internet of Things (IoT) laboratory activity was developed and implemented in an undergraduate agricultural electricity course to introduce students to sensor-based control systems, wireless communication, and introductory programming concepts. During the activity, students used ChatGPT to generate, interpret, and modify Arduino code controlling a simulated agricultural ventilation or heating system. Students developed and operated an IoT system consisting of an Arduino Uno R4 Wi-Fi microcontroller, relay module, and a web-based temperature input interface accessed through a cell phone. The activity emphasized student understanding of control logic, troubleshooting, and code interpretation rather than independent programming from scratch. Descriptive assessment data were used to illustrate student performance on laboratory tasks including predicting and verifying system operation and modifying Arduino code. All students (N = 17) successfully completed the activity with a mean score of 89.2% (SD = 1.6%). The activity provided students with hands-on exposure to emerging IoT and AI technologies relevant to modern agricultural systems and may be useful to instructors considering the incorporation of IoT applications in their courses.