Step 3 - Orchestrate Hybrid Collaboration

1. Introduction

Orchestrating a hybrid hackathon that blends in-person and online activities is an excellent way to cater to all students' needs, regardless of location or circumstances. Central to this is the judicious use of digital tools that facilitate collaboration and bridge the gap between physical and virtual spaces. This chapter outlines several categories of tools you can employ and provides guidelines on selecting the best tools for your situation.

2. Communication Tools

Effective communication is essential for hybrid hackathons. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet offer video conferencing capabilities, enabling discussions, brainstorming sessions, and virtual walkthroughs. These accessible platforms often have features like breakout rooms and screen sharing, enhancing collaboration. Your choice should consider the number of participants and the specific features required, but most importantly, consider your participants' existing knowledge and expertise.

3. Collaboration Tools

Collaboration tools like Google Suite, Miro, Microsoft Teams, and Trello are vital for managing tasks and ensuring teamwork. Google Suite and Microsoft Teams offer a range of applications for document creation and sharing, while Miro is great for brainstorming sessions, and Trello helps with task management. Consider the nature of your hackathon tasks when choosing a tool.

4. Collaborative Prototyping Tools

In hackathons, the creation of prototypes is a critical part. Tools like Figma and Spline App are excellent for designing digital prototypes in real-time. CoSpaces allows for virtual reality spaces creation, promoting immersive experiences. Choose based on the specific prototyping needs of your hackathon theme.

5. Other Prototyping Tools

Tinkercad, App Inventor, Blockly, and SAM Labs offer simple, intuitive interfaces for 3D design, app development, coding, and IoT projects. These tools cater to various levels of technical proficiency, making them suitable for a diverse group of students.

6. Sharing Tools

Sharing tools like Vimeo, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok can enhance visibility, allow presentations, and facilitate community engagement. The chosen platforms should align with your communication strategy and the comfort level of your participants.

7. Multilingual Support Tools

Tools like Google Translate can assist in overcoming language barriers, especially in a European context where multiple languages might be spoken.

8. Navigating Hybrid Collaboration

Hybrid collaboration can be empowering, inclusive, and flexible but also complex. Familiarizing students with the chosen digital tools before the hackathon begins is essential. You can achieve this through orientation sessions, tutorials, or test runs.

Consider also the potential for "digital fatigue". Incorporate regular breaks and encourage offline activities when possible.

9. Checklist and Timeline

• 6-4 months prior: Identify necessary tools based on hackathon objectives and tasks.

• 3-2 months prior: Secure subscriptions or access to these tools.

• 1 month prior: Introduce tools to participants; conduct training or tutorial sessions.

• 1 week prior: Ensure all tools are accessible and functional; conduct a final test run.

• On the day: Have a tech support system to address any issues.

Conclusion

Embracing hybrid collaboration opens up numerous possibilities, allowing students to engage, create, and learn versatilely. By choosing the right tools and preparing participants effectively, you can harness the full potential of a hybrid hackathon, providing an enriching and exciting experience for all involved.