Advancing Technical Education at IFAM: Real-World Application and Impact of LoRaWAN Integration on Developing Future-Ready Skills

Rapid technological evolution and the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) are reshaping the necessary competencies for professionals in different fields, including engineering that focuses on networking, telecommunications, IoT, or embedded systems. This research project proposes an in-depth analysis of the benefits brought about by the inclusion of LoRaWAN technology in the curriculum of courses offered by the Instituto Federal do Amazonas (IFAM), focusing on both technical skills (hard skills) and interpersonal and cognitive competencies (soft skills) of students participating in research, development and innovation project (R,D&I). LoRaWAN, a low power long-range communication technology, has significant potential for applications in smart cities, precision agriculture, natural resource management, and smart power meters, underscoring its relevance to current and technical education. LoRaWAN technology integrates various engineering disciplines in the curriculum, challenging the update process. The paper suggests a method to assess the performance of 12 students in three R, D, I projects for the improvement of the curriculum. Identifies the impact on students' education and provides guidance for educational institutions based on students' task difficulties and interaction with the development team.