GoMyCode, Africa’s leading edtech platform recently concluded its first-ever multi-country hackathon.
The hackathon, which happened simultaneously in 5 countries
during the weekend of October 15-16, was built around the theme “Upside
Education”.
The theme encouraged participants to explore ways of using
new technologies to create a parallel universe of educational methods that
could merge virtual and face to face learning methods in order to optimize
learning and make it effective, beneficial and enjoyable for both instructors
and students.
The Nigerian edition was held at GoMyCode Nigeria newly
opened “Hackerspace” on Herbert Macaulay Way Yaba.
More than 100 aspiring and experienced developers attended
the event with just under 10 participating in the actual competition.
The participants worked on and presented different ideas
ranging from apps that foster greater learning collaboration to platforms that
rethink assessments and testing, innovative learning tracks for kids to learn
coding, virtual learning assistants and a social and gamified learning
platform.
The awards recognized the top three participants with the
most viable ideas that will solve e-learning challenges in Nigeria, Africa, and
beyond.
The winners emerged after a rigorous 36 hour hacking session and a presentation to a distinguished jury made up of industry experts from Mara, Renmoney and Topcoder, three organizations that supported GoMyCode Nigeria with the hackathon.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager of GoMyCode
Nigeria, Babatunde Olaifa urged the participants to continue to find new ways
to use technology to solve Africa’s most pressing problems, particularly in
education.
He said, “Africa needs change makers, pioneers, future thinkers
and dreamers. We need people that can make a difference in whatever sphere they
find themselves in”.
The first prize winner, Confidence Bassey created an
immensely collaborative study app that could be a game changer for university
students just returning to school after a protracted strike. The second-prize
winner, Uwabunkeonye Ijeoma Benedicta created a program for kids of all age
groups to learn coding concepts.
The design reflected a deep understanding of her target
audience and took into cognisance issues that parents and guardians worry about
when they choose to expose their wards to e-learning. Abudullahi Fahm, the 3rd
prize winner created a video learning platform that can aid collaborative
learning.
The prizes for the winners included cash, scholarships at
GoMyCode and paid internships.
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