OnCourse was inspired by the common struggles that many college students face when deciding which course to pursue. With the vast number of courses and universities available, it can be overwhelming for students, especially those who don’t have a clear path or understanding of which programs align with their goals. The lack of reliable, real-world insights made us realize the need for a community-driven platform that connects students with peer-driven advice and credible recommendations. By tapping into the experiences of those who have already walked the path, OnCourse aims to make the decision-making process more informed and less stressful.
OnCourse is a web-based application designed to assist students in making informed decisions about their college courses. It provides a platform where students can access feedback, reviews, and recommendations from peers and alumni about various academic programs and schools. The platform utilizes an upvote system to validate the credibility of the feedback, with the most trusted insights rising to the top. It also highlights which schools excel in specific programs, offering targeted advice based on user consensus. The goal is to create a collaborative environment where students can actively participate and share their experiences, ultimately guiding undecided students toward the right academic path.
We built OnCourse using a combination of web development technologies. The front-end was designed to be user-friendly and interactive, using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create an engaging experience for users. For the back-end, we utilized a robust database system to store user-generated content, such as feedback, upvotes, and profiles, ensuring efficient and secure data management. We also incorporated a voting mechanism that ensures transparency and credibility by allowing users to see which feedback has been most trusted by the community. The platform was developed with the intention to be scalable and easily accessible for students across the Philippines.
One of the major challenges we faced was ensuring that the feedback system was truly community-driven and reliable. We had to design an upvote mechanism that would prevent manipulation and ensure the most valuable feedback surfaced. Another challenge was creating a user-friendly interface that would appeal to students from all walks of life, making sure it was both easy to use and visually engaging. Additionally, gathering initial data and getting the community to participate actively was a challenge, as the platform relied on user contributions to build credibility and value.
We’re proud of creating a platform that not only addresses a major pain point for students but also encourages them to take part in a collective decision-making process. The upvote system that validates the feedback has been one of our proudest features, as it ensures that students are receiving the most trustworthy insights. Additionally, we’re proud of how OnCourse can serve students across various regions in the Philippines, breaking down barriers to information and giving every student a voice in the decision-making process.
We learned the importance of user validation and how community-driven insights can create a more reliable and empowering platform. Balancing transparency with user privacy was also a key learning point as we wanted to provide useful context about contributors without violating their privacy. Furthermore, we learned how to build a platform that encourages active user participation, as the success of OnCourse depends on students sharing their experiences and opinions. We also gained valuable experience in web development, from back-end data management to designing an intuitive user interface.
The next steps for OnCourse involve expanding the platform to include more universities and courses, especially focusing on creating regional networks to ensure that students across the Philippines can access localized and relevant information. We also plan to integrate additional features such as personalized course recommendations, mentorship opportunities, and career advice. As the platform grows, we aim to build stronger partnerships with universities and educational institutions to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate information is available to students. Ultimately, we envision OnCourse becoming the go-to resource for Filipino students, guiding them toward successful academic and career paths.
Log in or sign up for Devpost to join the conversation.