Enhancing Embedded Systems Education Through Simulation: A case of KMUTT (Ratchaburi)

Embedded systems education is vital in Thailand’s STEM curriculum, promoting cross-disciplinary skills and knowledge. However, hands-on activities often face interruption due to hardware issues with microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators. To reduce this situation, the training activity was redesigned by integrating the online simulator, Wokwi, and piloted in a three-day boot camp for Grade 10 students at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (Ratchaburi). The activity allowed students to practice wiring and coding virtually before working with physical components to build a basic weather station.
Post-activity surveys from 36 participants and 4 undergraduate students, taking the role as teacher assistants (TA), revealed that 78% agreed the simulator enhanced the understanding of wiring and coding before implementing it on the real hardware, while 22% remained neutral. Instructors observed fewer class interruptions and noted that many students tested their new ideas beyond the given instruction in the virtual environment. These preliminary results suggest that online simulators can effectively support instruction in embedded systems by enhancing students' engagement and reducing technical barriers. Further analysis will explore the platform’s advantages and limitations.