Internet of Things: How did we get here? from Coursera

It is hard to imagine life without your Smartphone – you have come to rely on it so much – for your work; to stay in touch with family and friends; to capture and share those special moments; to find your way around in a new neighborhood. Did you ever wonder how and when all this happened? Or how and when GPS sensors came to be in your cell phone?

In this course, we will explore the convergence of multiple disciplines leading to todays’ Smartphones. You will learn about the birth and evolution of Telephony Networks, Broadcast Networks (TV and Radio) and Consumer Electronics. We will discuss the impact of Internet, (multimedia) content, smartphones and apps on everyday lives. We will then look at how this emerging platform called the Internet of Things – wherein billions and trillions of devices communicating with each other and “the cloud” – could enable unprecedented, innovative products and services. Take this course if you want to understand what great new advances in mobile-enabled products will be coming our way!

Learning Goals: This course provides a core grounding in how science and technology have developed to enable the Internet of Things – in a way appropriate for any learner. For those interested in developing further hands-on expertise in designing and developing for the Internet of Things, this course will provide a context to the discoveries and converging technologies that will springboard the next round of innovations. After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Compare how the telephone system works (that is, peer-to-peer networks) with how media delivery works (that is, broadcast/multicast networks).

2. Explain the tradeoffs between circuit switched networks (that is, dedicated resources) and packet switched networks (that is, shared resources).

3. Tell interesting stories about key innovations that transformed the communications, entertainment and consumer electronics industries.

4. Explain how email, YouTube, SMS, etc. work.

5. Find resources for those wishing to do more of a “deep-dive” into the above topics.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome

Welcome to the first course in the Internet of Things specialization! We hope you’re just as excited as we are to begin this fascinating journey! Before getting started with the material, we would like to introduce you to the team that made this all possible, as well as give you a preview of what to expect throughout the entire specialization.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Well-suited for learners with an interest in the convergence of technology disciplines, which is the bedrock for creating today's smartphones

Taught by Ganz Chockalingam and Harinath Garudadri, who have extensive experience in the telecommunications and consumer electronics industries, which lends credibility to the instruction

Examines key innovations that transformed multiple industries including communications, entertainment, and consumer electronics

Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the internet and its impact on various aspects of life

Explores the birth and evolution of telephony networks, broadcast networks, and consumer electronics, which is highly relevant to understanding the development of smartphones

Intended for learners who want to understand the future advancements in mobile-enabled products and services

Reviews summary

Historical context for internet of things

According to learners, this course provides an excellent historical perspective on the technologies that led to the Internet of Things. Many found it to be a great starting point for beginners or those seeking a broad overview, highlighting the clear explanations of complex topics like network evolution. The lectures are engaging and the course structure is generally well-received. However, students consistently noted its lack of deep technical detail, making it less suitable for those wanting hands-on IoT development skills. Overall, it succeeds as a foundational course setting the historical stage for understanding IoT.

Covers many related historical areas.

"The course does a good job connecting the dots between different technological eras and fields."

"I liked seeing how telephony, broadcasting, and computing all converged."

"Covers a lot of ground historically, giving a wide view."

"It provides a fascinating look at the interconnected evolution of various industries."

Instructor explains concepts clearly.

"The instructor's lectures were engaging and easy to follow, making the history interesting."

"Found the teaching style and the way the historical stories were told very effective."

"The video quality and presentation were professional and held my attention."

"Clear explanations helped me grasp the evolution of different technologies."

Excellent introduction for beginners.

"Perfect course for someone new to the field who wants to understand the big picture before diving deep."

"It provides a necessary context before tackling more technical aspects of IoT."

"This is a great introductory course for anyone curious about the origins of connected devices."

"I found this course very accessible, even without a technical background."

Provides solid context on tech evolution.

"The historical journey from early telephony to modern smartphones was fascinating and well-explained."

"This course gives great context to how we arrived at today's connected world and the path to IoT."

"I appreciated learning the history of networks, broadcast media, and consumer electronics convergence."

"It lays a strong foundation by explaining the 'how did we get here' part very effectively."

Not suitable for technical deep dives.

"If you're looking for hands-on IoT development or programming, this course is not for you. It's historical context only."

"Didn't go into enough detail about the actual 'Things' or how they work technically."

"More of a survey course covering history and concepts, not practical skills."

"I was hoping for more technical specifics related to current IoT implementations."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Internet of Things: How did we get here? with these activities:

Learn about the birth of telephony

Show steps

Review the birth of telephony to understand the origins of the Internet of Things and telecommunications.

Browse courses on Telecommunications

Show steps

Research the first telephones and how they worked.
Read about the inventors and innovators who developed the telephone.
Reflect on what life was like before telephones and how they changed society.

Organize notes and course materials

Show steps

Compile notes and course materials to improve knowledge retention and organization.

Show steps

Review and organize notes from lectures and readings.
Create electronic or physical folders for different topics.
Summarize key concepts and highlight important information.

Explore the working of email and YouTube

Show steps

Follow tutorials to explore how email and YouTube function and how they relate to the Internet of Things.

Browse courses on Email

Show steps

Find tutorials on how email works.
Go through tutorials explaining how YouTube works.
Learn about the different protocols and technologies involved in these services and how they connect to the Internet of Things.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Compare circuit and packet switched networks

Show steps

Practice comparing circuit and packet switched networks to enhance network understanding.

Browse courses on Network

Show steps

Identify the key differences between these two types of networks.
Create a diagram or table to compare these two types of networks.
Consider real-world examples of where each type of network is used.

Explain key innovations in the communications and entertainment industries

Show steps

Develop an understanding of the innovations in the communications and entertainment industries and how they have impacted the Internet of Things.

Browse courses on Technology

Show steps

Research and select a specific innovation in the communications or entertainment industry.
Explain how this innovation has impacted the development of the Internet of Things.
Create a presentation, blog post, or video to share your findings.

Discuss the future of the Internet of Things

Show steps

Collaborate and discuss the future of the Internet of Things with peers to explore its potential applications and implications.

Browse courses on IoT

Show steps

Identify potential applications of the Internet of Things in various industries.
Discuss the ethical implications and challenges of the Internet of Things.
Imagine and brainstorm innovative ideas for the future of the Internet of Things.

Contribute to IoT open-source projects

Show steps

Gain practical experience by contributing to open-source IoT projects, deepening understanding of the IoT ecosystem.

Browse courses on Open Source

Show steps

Identify open-source IoT projects that align with your interests.
Review the project documentation and codebase.
Make contributions to the project by fixing bugs, adding features, or improving documentation.

Career center

Learners who complete Internet of Things: How did we get here? will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for overseeing the development and launch of new products. They work closely with engineers, designers, and marketers to ensure that products meet the needs of customers and are successful in the marketplace. This course will provide Product Managers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to develop and manage IoT products. With this knowledge, Product Managers can lead their teams to success in the rapidly growing IoT market.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns that promote products and services. They work with other departments to develop marketing strategies, create marketing materials, and manage marketing budgets. This course will provide Marketing Managers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to develop and manage IoT marketing campaigns. With this knowledge, Marketing Managers can lead their teams to success in the rapidly growing IoT market.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and motivating sales teams to achieve sales goals. They work with customers to identify their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. This course will provide Sales Managers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to sell IoT products and services. With this knowledge, Sales Managers can lead their teams to success in the rapidly growing IoT market.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with businesses to identify and solve problems. They analvze business processes and make recommendations for improvements. This course will provide Business Analysts with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to analyze IoT data and make recommendations for how businesses can use IoT to improve their operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make predictions. They work with a variety of data sources, including IoT data. This course will provide Data Scientists with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to collect, clean, and analyze IoT data. With this knowledge, Data Scientists can use IoT data to solve problems and make predictions in a variety of industries.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and test software applications. They work with a variety of programming languages and technologies. This course will provide Software Engineers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to develop IoT applications. With this knowledge, Software Engineers can develop innovative IoT applications that will improve people's lives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Hardware Engineer

Hardware Engineers design, develop, and test hardware devices. They work with a variety of electronic components and technologies. This course will provide Hardware Engineers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to design and develop IoT devices. With this knowledge, Hardware Engineers can develop innovative IoT devices that will improve people's lives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hardware Engineer

Network Engineer

Network Engineers design, build, and maintain computer networks. They work with a variety of networking technologies, including IoT networks. This course will provide Network Engineers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to design and manage IoT networks. With this knowledge, Network Engineers can ensure that IoT networks are reliable and secure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Security Analyst

Security Analysts identify and mitigate security risks. They work with a variety of security technologies, including IoT security technologies. This course will provide Security Analysts with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to identify and mitigate IoT security risks. With this knowledge, Security Analysts can help protect IoT networks and devices from cyberattacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

IT Manager

IT Managers plan, implement, and manage IT systems. They work with a variety of IT technologies, including IoT technologies. This course will provide IT Managers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to plan, implement, and manage IoT systems. With this knowledge, IT Managers can help their organizations take advantage of the benefits of IoT.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager

Consultant

Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of topics, including IoT. This course will provide Consultants with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to advise organizations on how to use IoT to improve their operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Teacher

Teachers educate students on a variety of subjects, including IoT. This course will provide Teachers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to teach IoT to students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Researcher

Researchers conduct research on a variety of topics, including IoT. This course will provide Researchers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to conduct research on IoT.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. This course will provide Entrepreneurs with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to use IoT to start and grow their own businesses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Student

Students are enrolled in educational programs, such as this course on the Internet of Things (IoT). This course will provide Students with a deep understanding of the IoT and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to use IoT to solve problems and improve their lives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Student