Alexa Tutor Scheduler part 2

This skill allows students to make requests for new tutoring sessions in any class your college offers so that schools can build tutoring schedules that are ideal for their students.

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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 Part 2

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.

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