Potential Abstract: This research article examines the interplay between connectivist communities, situationality, and political aspects within the context of educational hackathons. Hackathons, collaborative events that bring together individuals to solve real-world problems through technology, have gained significant attention in recent years as a promising avenue for fostering innovation and creativity in education. However, limited research has explored the multifaceted dynamics within these hackathon environments, particularly in relation to the social, technological, and political forces that shape and influence participants’ experiences.
Drawing on connectivism as a theoretical framework, this study investigates how connectivist communities emerge and evolve within educational hackathons, and how their situationality, or the context-specific nature of learning and problem-solving, is influenced by political factors. The political lens allows us to understand how power dynamics, equity considerations, and institutional constraints impact the design, implementation, and outcomes of hackathons in educational settings.
The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative data from interviews, participant observations, and social network analysis, with quantitative data from surveys and pre/post assessments. The study will be conducted in a diverse sample of educational hackathons across different geographic locations, targeting participants from various backgrounds, including students, educators, industry professionals, and policymakers.
By investigating the complex interplay between connectivist communities, situationality, and political dimensions, this research aims to contribute to the existing literature on educational hackathons, as well as to inform policy and practice in educational innovation and technology integration. The findings are expected to shed light on the potential of connectivist approaches to facilitate collaboration, knowledge creation, and problem-solving in educational contexts, while also highlighting the importance of considering political factors in the design and implementation of hackathons.
Potential References:
- Open data platforms: Discussing alternative knowledge epistemologies
- Hacking innovative pedagogy: Innovation and digitisation to rewild higher education: a commented atlas
- Hacking Innovative Pedagogy: Innovation and Digitisation to Rewild Higher Education
- Hackathons for Kids: Looking Closer at Computational Thinking. A Qualitative Case Study
- Blockchain as Loose Organizations: A New Institutional Perspective on New Technologies in Higher Education Institutions
