Alexa Tutor Scheduler for BMCC

Alexa with desktop Application running in background
iOS Main screen for viewing tutors
Form for tutors to add new tutoring Appointments to their schedule
Login for tutors, and admins

Inspiration

We noticed when we were trying to go to tutoring sessions that there was no good way that the school was keeping track of who was showing up for these sessions, or when students actually want tutoring sessions, and that there is no way for a student currently to check tutor availability without directly asking the professors in charge.

What it does

The application facilitates student tutor communication, as well as provides analytics to the professors in charge of scheduling when tutors will be available from the Amazon Alexa, a Desktop application, and an iOS application.

How I built it

First, we decided on what data we wished to capture, then we created a database in mongodb with the collections necessary. We built a webservice in node.js so that our ecosystem of applications (Alexa,Desktop,iOS) can all work together. Then, we began developing the Java desktop application and Alexa skill to interact with the data. Next, the iOS app for students to access tutors schedules on the go.

Challenges I ran into

Learning how to operate with in the aws server-less framework, as well as learning how node.js REST Apis work. As well as learning how to make HTTP requests in Java. Alexa skill development for fluid user controls had a large learning curve.

Accomplishments that I'm proud of

Creating our first RESTFUL API, consuming that api in an Alexa skill, iOS app, and in our Java desktop application.

What I learned

How to create, and consume RESTFUL web services, as well as how to create, and interact with Mongo DB

What's next for Alexa Tutor Scheduler for BMCC

Adding messaging functionality in the ecosystem of application so that students and tutor can communicate within our application. Better data visualization for Professors, and tutors to view analytics on student requests. Improving UI on Calendar part of desktop application. Student voice recognition for checking into tutoring sessions with Alexa, and Siri, and Google Voice, and an Android application to go with the iOS app. In addition to that we would also like to build a messaging feature so students and tutors can easily communicate from anywhere. We would also like to look into working with a graphic designer to help clean up the look of the custom UI elements.

Built With

Submitted to

Alexa Skills for Students – Powered by AWS Educate

Created by

I created the Java desktop application, I did this using only the standard Java library I created custom UI elements, like the calendar, the appointment booking form, and the appointment request form, as well as consumed a RESTFUL web service that we created.
To do this I built classes to handle http requests, and custom generic JSON parser methods, as well as JSON builder methods to post new data to our service which then saves the data in a mongodb designed for one college.
The desktop app, our Alexa skill, and our iOS app all consume the data generated from this user interface.
I also assisted with builder node.js functions to get, and post data to our webservice from the lambda function running our skill.
Last, Ben and I designed that database schema together, and I coordinated with Mehmet, and asked him to join our team to build the iOS app for students and tutors.
I am excited for the future of this application, including the possibility of implementing our system at our school, and possibly others if that goes well, also our proposed voice recognition check in system for students to check into tutoring sessions, as well as our tutor student messaging application for tutors to help support, and get compensated for helping students anywhere on the go!

Andrew Rubinstein
Currently freelance software developer, former professional Microsoft SQL developer, and project manager.
I worked on the iOS application using Swift 5. I also used Alamofire and SwiftyJSON to get data from the database. I will add a chat functionally to the app as well so that students can chat with tutors.

Mehmet Sahin
ben jenney