Step 2 - Frame Hackathon Objectives
2.1 Why is Setting Objectives Crucial?
A hackathon is an intensive, immersive event that requires considerable planning and resources. Setting precise objectives at the outset is critical to steer its design and maximize its learning effectiveness and intended outcomes. But why is this so crucial? One key reason is the lack of scientific consensus regarding hackathons' educational efficacy. However, despite this, there is growing interest and anecdotal evidence suggesting their beneficial role in fostering creativity, problem-solving abilities, and other essential transversal skills, as noted by the World Economic Forum (2020).
Clear objectives can streamline decision-making, facilitate stakeholder communication, and enhance overall success. They can also clarify your reasons for running the hackathon— perhaps as a marketing tool, a networking event, or a unique learning opportunity. This clarity can propel your hackathon to accomplish goals you hadn't even considered initially and fuel your enthusiasm for organizing these events.
2.2 Framing Hackathon Vision Statement
To formulate these crucial objectives, we've developed a tool named 'Hackathon Vision Statement Canvas.' This canvas will assist you in outlining and prioritizing your vision for the general outcomes of the partners, students, and other stakeholders involved in the event.
The first step in this exercise is to brainstorm potential objectives. You might want to engage students more deeply in the learning process, foster innovation in your school, create opportunities for collaborative team teaching, or build stronger connections with external partners. These are just a few possibilities; each hackathon is unique and will have its own set of goals.
Once you've generated an array of potential objectives, the next step is prioritising them. We recommend using a bullseye diagram for this task. Start by jotting down each goal on a separate note and then place these notes on the diagram. The objectives you regard as the most important should be set at the centre, with secondary goals in the middle ring and tertiary ones on the outer edge.
Finally, refine and reframe your objectives based on your prioritization. The ultimate objective of the event should be crystal clear at this point. This clarity will provide a strong foundation as you start to design the scope and boundaries of your hackathon.
Schools continually face the challenge of preparing students for a rapidly evolving job market. They must foster critical thinking, effective communication, and a readiness for future employment landscapes (Choy & Delahaye, 2009). Hackathons can be a powerful tool in addressing these needs, providing students with authentic learning opportunities tied to real-world challenges (Gentelli, 2015). By planning meticulously and embracing a spirit of innovation, you can help ensure your hackathon is a high-energy event and a meaningful, transformative experience for all involved.
Remember, understanding your 'why' is crucial before you start planning the nuts and bolts of your hackathon. This understanding will guide you throughout the process, streamline your efforts, and keep you focused on what's most important.
In the following chapters, we'll delve deeper into the 'how' - guiding you in framing the learning objectives for both teachers and students. This step will build upon the foundation we've laid here, refining and directing your hackathon's design. With a clear understanding of your 'why,' you're ready to start shaping your hackathon and witnessing the incredible learning opportunities it can create.
2.3 Inspirational Objectives for Your Hackathon
You might already have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your hackathon, but if you need inspiration, we've compiled a list of potential high-level objectives you can pursue.
These objectives have been carefully chosen based on their potential to enrich your student's educational experience, boost your professional development as a teacher, and enhance your school's reputation and community ties.
Promoting Collaborative Learning: Your hackathon could enhance students' teamwork and communication skills.
Enhancing Creativity and Innovation: Fostering creative problem-solving could be another worthy objective.
Encouraging Engagement with STEM: Hackathons stimulate interest in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Building Real-World Skills: With hackathons, students develop crucial life skills like project management, time management, and critical thinking.
Fostering a Growth Mindset: Encourage students to view challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement.
Strengthening Community Ties: Hackathons can foster stronger connections with local organizations and businesses.
Showcasing Student Talent: A hackathon can demonstrate to the broader community the capabilities and talents of your students.
Inspiring Future Careers: Hackathons expose students to potential future careers in technology and entrepreneurship.
Improving School Reputation: A well-organized hackathon can significantly enhance the school's innovation and student engagement reputation.
Professional Development for Teachers: The planning and execution of a hackathon offers a rich opportunity for teachers' professional development.
Remember, these are starting points intended to inspire your thinking. Your hackathon's objectives should be tailored to your specific context, needs, and aspirations.
The objectives you establish for your hackathon are the guiding stars of your journey. They will influence everything from the structure and theme of the event to the partners you collaborate with. It's crucial to ensure these objectives resonate with your school's vision, students' needs, and your community's ethos. Don't hesitate to revisit these objectives as planned, ensuring they align with your evolving insights and circumstances.
2.4 Framing Personal Objectives
2.4.1 Defining Your Personal 'Why'
While framing the broader objectives of the hackathon is crucial, it's equally important for the organizing team to understand their motivations and expectations. The energy, time, and resources you will invest in this event are significant, so clarifying your personal 'why' can provide the necessary motivation and perspective, particularly during challenging phases of the planning process.
The hackathon can be a profound learning journey not just for the participants but also for the organizers. It presents an opportunity for professional growth, allowing you to develop leadership, project management, and problem-solving skills. It can provide teachers with a fresh perspective on instruction and student engagement. For administrators, it could mean insights into event planning logistics or fostering stronger industry relationships.
Here are a few prompts to help the organizing team articulate their personal 'why':
What do you hope to learn from organizing and running a hackathon?
How might this experience enhance your teaching or administrative skills?
What connections or partnerships do you hope to establish or strengthen?
How will organizing a hackathon align with your professional goals?
As with the hackathon objectives, write each personal reason on a separate note and use the bullseye diagram to prioritize. The centre of the diagram should contain your most significant personal purposes, followed by secondary goals in the middle ring and tertiary ones on the outer edge. This exercise can guide your journey through the hackathon, helping you stay focused and motivated.
2.4.2 Sharing Your Personal 'Why'
Once the organizing team has identified their individual 'whys,' sharing these motivations can be beneficial. Understanding the personal motivations within your team can foster a stronger sense of purpose and camaraderie. It can also aid in identifying common objectives, which could further refine the overall goals of the hackathon.
Remember, it's not just about setting objectives for the event but also about understanding what each team member hopes to gain from this experience. Identifying and aligning these personal and shared objectives will help create a successful, meaningful hackathon that benefits everyone involved.
2.5 Conclusion
Congratulations! By completing this chapter, you've laid the groundwork for your hackathon by determining the overall objectives. You've learned the importance of setting goals and the process of framing them and applied this knowledge using the objective framing canvas.
The objectives you've set will provide a guiding light throughout the planning and execution of your hackathon. They will be a reference point for making decisions, communicating your vision to others, and ensuring that the event aligns with your educational goals. Not only this but by determining your personal 'why', you've sparked a passion and enthusiasm for this project which is vital to its success.
With a clear understanding of your 'why' and the overall objectives of your hackathon, you and your team are ready for the next steps.
In the next chapter, you will start giving form to your hackathon. This involves making decisions about the number of participants, required staff, and event duration, all of which will be guided by your objectives. These decisions will bring you one step closer to realizing your hackathon.
Remember, each step you take brings you closer to providing your students with a unique, engaging, and valuable learning experience. Onward to the next chapter: 'Scoping the Hackathon'.
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