Design and Analysis of an IoT Usage Tracking and Equipment Management System Within a University Makerspace
O'Connell, Brian.
2017
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Abstract: This dissertation provides an account of the design and analysis of an IoT usage tracking and equipment management(UTEM) system. A motivation to both increase safety and user awareness in the emerging learning environments of academic makerspaces drove the development of this technology. It was designed with three stakeholders of academic makerspaces in mind; the students who use the res... read moreource for fabricating course projects, staff responsibility for its operation, and the faculty who consider these makerspaces in their pedagogy. The system combines a centralized database, a web interface, and RFID controlled equipment terminals to provide administrative control of connected fabrication equipment and collect data on the usage of those resources. The system was installed on six equipment stations in a university makerspace in fall 2016 as a pilot study implemented to assess it's performance. The UTEM system was assessed on system performance, usability, and influences on the host learning environment. Interactions with the system were examined through observation and interviews with design stakeholders: students, staff, and faculty who work with the makerspace. It captured over 1,022 hours of use on the attached stations, provided a useful interface for interacting with the database, and provided a barrier to use of equipment unless properly trained and approved. All through the use of open-source software and less than $85 per safety interlock terminal. The pilot study found that the UTEM system improved stakeholders relationships with the makerspace through its ability to provide safety interlocks to equipment, create a central repository of organizational information, and track usage of attached resources within the makerspace. Faculty saw value in the information it provided but did not make use of it. Staff used the technology to maintain user and station information as well as permissions and referenced usage data in their organizational discussions. Staff also featured the safety features in administrative reporting and opened up extended non-supervised hours for equipment connected to the system. Students enjoy greater access to the makerspace and those resources due to the safety interlocks. The UTEM system achieved its design criteria and met its goals to provide stakeholders with an increase of safety a makerspace as well as collect data on equipment use and through those attributes, improve stakeholder experiences within the makerspace.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Tufts University, 2017.
Submitted to the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.
Advisor: Chris Rogers.
Committee: Kristen Wendell, Brian Gravel, and Lene Tanggaard.
Keywords: Mechanical engineering, and Educational technology.read less - ID:
- 0p096k60m
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