Inspiration -
As a student, i have found mylo (our university's student portal) is hard to navigate. For example, when collecting relevant information i have to open to many tabs and the website is not easy to navigate. There is no way for me to organise my information or to even give feedback, instantly or anonymously, electronically.
what is my product?
Study session is a social media network that aids student development. Study session helps students: who live in other areas and feel less socially accepted, or more socially isolated. It helps students navigate courses digitally, in preparation to the university's website.
What it does
It assists learning by social interaction digitally. It also allows voting feedback, which distinguishes students desires' and improves teacher / student relationships.
Study session has an additional feature which enables users to upload content to group members, or friends, only which helps share relevant content -to the right people- with little need to sort .
Study session is a social media network for additional studying. As a struggling student, i have identified what would work for me, digitally, when being involved in the scene of the university. When i first started university, learning the online system was like trying to do a course within itself. Navigating the university's website was time consuming and it prevented me from learning what i was there for. I also felt different because of where i lived and there was no way for me to easily express my concerns anonymously without the feeling of great discomfort. I also like studying at midnight and i like to find people who are studying at midnight. I can do this with my app without the need to drive all the way across town which allows me to save money for other essentials.
Study session aims to define the interests of students. Students are able to vote anonymously on teachers performances; or, on their course of study. They can also vote on what they think would resolve issues surrounding teacher/ student, or subject, conflicts.
I, personally, am restricted when socializing at university. Also, being on the outer edge of town can be an issue as well as having different terminology. In addition to other features I have created a user friendly platform which accommodates other socially isolated peoples. Study session includes all the functionalities of most other social media websites: groups, friends,and notifications. And, it's easy to navigate. Study session aims to define the way students feel about their teachers performance, and/ or the subject which they study. Included, in my app is a voting section where students are able to hold teachers accountable for certain actions. They can also let other students know what worked well for them within the unit.
How I built it
i used a buddy app theme using WordPress and found site-ground to be useful as a reliable website host. I had to learn new custom css coding - self taught. (http://www.w3schools.com/css/) (https://www.udacity.com/) -there is still work to be done such as being in connection to the university's student services portal ,however this, this sets a precedent for the next best application to help with student development.
Challenges I ran into
If only we could list all the challenges we ran into; how long's a piece of string, really. I have had to learn how to do custom css and learn about other programming platforms such as python. I have had to find out what works and what doesn't (in regards to other website building platforms). I have had to engage with people outside of my comfort zone to obtain much needed advice. i have fixed numerous errors -including resolving hosting issues.
Accomplishments that I'm proud of -
I value most new things i learn or achieve. In regards to my app, i am proud of the whole thing. I will continue. i am proud of attending U-hack and being part of a community which drives innovation. I am proud i got to offer my advice with other projects also.
What I learned
At the end of the day, i have identified that new friends, or more crucially, social interaction is the surest way which enables me to contrast my thoughts. It is a very effective way of learning. This is one useful tool which i will use to address the 2030 now issue. I have also learnt that learning is most fun. I have also learnt that by not testing my concept, it will only ever be an incorrect perceived thought- a video which i watch at U hack. I will never forget the importance of that video as it contrasted, and was closely related to, some of my previous behaviors.
What's next for study session
1) That string! Study session will be a middle body between students and universities. Students are able to join familiar groups of study, or contact student services directly. Study session has a planner where all timetables, events will be on the one page which is easy to navigate. 2 It will adapt with anything topical. 3 Addressing global pain and suffering (by most definitions) through mere exposure. 3 Study Session will provoke imagination. It's through imagination concepts such as this are thought.
Please view my additional video for a mobile viewing experience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMor10OnjG4
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