Inclusivity in Engineering Curriculum in the Age of Industry 4.0: The Role of Internet of Things

In the absence of digital technology, the cost to operate an inclusive education system is prohibitive. Prior to the digital revolution of industry 4.0, the evolution of the education system resulted in limited access and limited accommodation for underprivileged populations. In this paper we provide case studies that illustrate how students that are economically disadvantaged and students with atypical learning styles have suffered the most. We then describe how the application of digital technology, in particular we explore the Internet of Things (IoT), is making inclusion possible and affordable. The case studies will show that the evolution of the education system, driven by economic efficiency, has resulted in two types of exclusion. Without technology, the "affordable" education system has been delivering programs designed for a limited range of learning styles, and only to those students and societies with the economic means and physical infrastructure to afford it. Instead of education operating as a vehicle to close the economic gap between the haves and have-nots, a lack of global access has widened the gap. In addition, when education programs are delivered as if all students have identical learning styles and needs, the students with unique learning styles are put at a disadvantage. Fortunately, with the proliferation of digital technology, access has expanded to the masses and education programs can be tailored to the needs of the learners. Despite economic and social disadvantages, non-traditional learners can be given equal access through IoT enabled technologies. We do not accept the premise that the way to deliver affordable education is to only accommodate an exclusive population of students while the less conventional students are forgotten and left behind. Instead, we show how IoT can be used to bring the outlier students into the system. IoT can also be used to provide substantial educational assistance. IoT creates opportunities for vicarious and virtual inclusion. IoT is the tool, and now is the time to build an education system for all students, not just those that fit academia's cost-efficient model of mass education. The paper includes cases where IoT is being successfully used to democratize education. Keywords: Education 4.0, Industry 4.0, IoT, Remote learning, Inclusive education.