Co-organising hackathons with students: opportunities and best practices

Abstract

We identify problems regarding teaching in higher education, particularly in computing subjects: short attention spans; lack of focus on cutting-edge topics; lack of attention to relevant issues for students; and disconnect from research. We propose that co-organising hackathons with students can assist in addressing these issues. We present a literature review, our experience in organising three hackathons and the resulting feedback gathered from participants. Based on that experience, and in articulation with related literature, we suggest best practices for organising these events. We also discuss applicability to other fields beyond computing.