Education Chat

Chat: Solving Problems Using Crowdsourcing and Hackathons

Learn how you can solve some of your toughest educational or organizational problems with "user-centered design," an approach used by NASA, Netflix, and the New York City schools.

Solving School Problems Using Crowdsourcing and Hackathons


Friday, June 13, 2014, 2 to 3 p.m. ET
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Solving School Problems Using Crowdsourcing and Hackathons

Friday, June 13, 2014, 2 to 3 p.m. ET

NASA, Netflix, and the New York City school district tackle thorny problems with a philosophy of “user-centered design,” and a toolbox of strategies that includes crowdsourcing and hackathons. Starting with the stakeholders creating an open–minded definition of a problem—like how to solve the wide gap in achievement in a math class—a “provocation” is issued, instead of a “specification.”

Software developers and other problem–solvers respond with a broad range of solutions. Then, schools and other stakeholders test the most promising ones for themselves. Using this model, New York has:

  • • Helped middle school math teachers
  • • Assisted families making choices about high schools
  • • Given music teachers a way to annotate any song and add quizzes

Learn more about this innovative, cost-effective, and transformative approach to:

  • • Address entrenched obstacles
  • • Reap surprising organizational benefits
  • • Jumpstart your own hackathon or crowdsourced solution

    Guests:
    Steven Hodas (@stevenhodas), executive director, Innovate NYC Schools (@InnovateNYCedu), New York City Department of Education, and 2014 Leader To Learn From, Education Week

    Michele Molnar (@EdWeekMMolnar), staff writer, Education Week will moderate this chat.

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