This article presents the design and implementation of an experimental learning environment for structural health monitoring (SHM) of large-scale buildings within the Internet of Things (IoT) engineering curriculum. In response to the Chinese National Strategy for Educational Digitalization, this research addresses key challenges in traditional IoT experimental teaching, including limited equipment availability, complex real-world scenarios, and high operational risks. The article proposes a hybrid virtual-physical simulation platform modeled after the Taizhou Bridge. The platform aligns with national digital education initiatives and overcomes the constraints of physical experimentation regarding equipment scale and environmental complexity. It adopts a student-centered, problem-oriented approach that addresses instructional challenges related to interdisciplinary knowledge integration, engineering practice transformation, and repeatable experimental validation. Simulation results demonstrate that the environment enhances students’ understanding of large-scale IoT systems and cultivates system-level design thinking through scenario-based, task-driven learning. This platform provides an innovative pathway for cultivating application-oriented talent in IoT engineering.