Exploring the Efficacy of an IoT Device as a Sensory Feedback Tool in Facilitating Learning for Neurodivergent Students

Neurodiversity is a term associated with individuals who have conditions such as Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia, among others. The potential of the Internet of Things to significantly impact people's lives is well-established, and its implementation in the education sector could play a vital role in accommodating the needs of neurodiverse students. This paper proposes the development and implementation of an IoT device to be used in an educational setting, with sensors to monitor the environmental conditions within the room and provide feedback to students. The project aims to address the current gap in available technologies, catering to the specific needs of neurodivergent individuals and promoting greater inclusivity in tertiary education. Specifically, the focus is on students with sensory issues who may benefit from extra information to choose a learning environment conducive to their needs. The ultimate goal is to provide accommodations for all university students, enabling them to have a learning environment that optimizes focus, retention, and attentiveness, thereby increasing academic retention and success. The proposed IoT device collects real-time sensor data and transmits it to a mobile application, where the sensory information is presented to the student in a user-friendly format. This project has the potential to be an assistive device for educational and work environments, given more time and investment. The results show that although there were some latency issues, sensory metrics were communicated successfully to the mobile application. The study highlights the importance of considering the needs of neurodiverse students in creating inclusive learning environments and demonstrates the potential of IoT technology to support this goal.