Abstract The present paper introduces a tool, which simplifies the description of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) applications by means of a visual language and automatic generation of executable code. The tool has been used to provide non‐experienced students with a practical introduction to WSN concepts in a short period of time. Using the tool allowed students to quickly develop their own applications and test with them, focusing on their functional aspects rather than on programming and platform‐dependent matters. This has yielded good results in the adaptation to the new European Higher Education Area (EHEA) envisaged by the Bologna Process, promoting an increased role of students in education as well as improving their motivation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 20: 692–701, 2012