My EdTech Hackathon Journey - MiniLearn
Inspiration
During the ArizonaHacks week-long hackathon, I was excited to explore ways to make education more accessible and convenient for busy individuals like myself. I have always been passionate about learning new skills, but finding the time to commit to lengthy courses was often a challenge. This inspired me to come up with the idea of "MiniLearn" - a platform that offers bite-sized learning experiences.
What I Learned
Throughout the hackathon, I had the opportunity to enhance my web development skills. I gained a deeper understanding of Python and the Flask web framework, which allowed me to quickly set up the backend of the MiniLearn platform. Additionally, I became more familiar with HTML and Jinja2 templating to create dynamic frontend pages. I also learned how to deploy a basic web application using Flask.
Building MiniLearn
The first step in building MiniLearn was to create a minimal backend with Flask. I defined a simple app structure, set up the routes for the landing page and course page, and created a sample course data using Python dictionaries. For the frontend, I designed the basic structure using HTML and added dynamic content using Jinja2 templating to display the list of available mini-courses.
To make the platform more engaging, I embedded YouTube video links for each course and included a quiz section at the end of the course page. I used Flask to handle the form submission for the quiz and created a simple logic to check the answers.
Challenges Faced
The main challenge I encountered during the hackathon was implementing a real database to store the course data and user information. Due to the time constraints, I decided to use a temporary data structure with Python dictionaries, but I realized that integrating a database would be crucial for the platform's scalability and persistence.
Additionally, video hosting and user authentication were areas I wanted to explore further, but given the short timeframe, I had to prioritize the core features.
Reflection
Participating in the ArizonaHacks hackathon was an incredibly rewarding experience. I was able to develop and present a functional prototype of the MiniLearn platform within the week, and it was well-received by the judges and fellow participants. While there's still much to improve and expand on, I am proud of what I accomplished during the event.
Overall, I discovered the power of simplicity in EdTech and how short, engaging learning experiences can make a significant impact on individuals with busy schedules. I am motivated to continue refining and expanding MiniLearn to provide a valuable learning resource for many more learners in the future.
Acknowledgements
I am grateful to the organizers of ArizonaHacks for providing a supportive and collaborative environment during the hackathon. I also want to thank my teammates, who contributed their ideas and skills to make MiniLearn a reality. This experience has deepened my passion for EdTech, and I look forward to exploring more opportunities in the field.
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