Hackathons, an unforgettable experience of knowledge

"Go to parties with people you do not know" - Albert-László Barabási, author of Linked

A hackathon is an event organized by hackers, for hackers, in order to program or build a collaborative solution for a period of hours, preferably in the same physical space. Obviously, hackathon is a compound word of hack and marathon, a race for the best possible hack, a wonderful heritage of the hacker culture. The hackathons help build and strengthen communities, follow a model of collaboration and competition with such good results that deserves to be emulated in other areas: in the classroom, at work, in government. In addition, attend a hackathon is an unforgettable experience in life, let's see why.

Collaboration

Teamwork is essential to participate in a hackathon, a small group where communication flows smoothly, where skills are added and the main objective is beyond any ego (in the ideal case). Participate in a hackathon involves working in a rapid response team, effective and creative problem solving. Having a larger scale, a hackathon is about forming teams an enormous crew total, after realizing the best ideas.

Networks

Viewed in more depth, the hackatons are networking events. Where attendees (and each of its ideas) are nodes, and communication links between them are: the depth distribution of ideas. In a hackathon people extend their networks, yes, but more so his collection of new ideas. It is an event ideas compete and spread exponentially: in the end, a particular balance filters the best, because all the ideas are discussed, crumble, remixes and eventually evolve. The hackathons generate open and adaptable networks of knowledge.

Knowledge

A hackathon is an event that catalyzes the generation and distribution of knowledge because it concentrates minds willing to collaborate in network. Networks of autonomous, self-taught, participatory. Also, this is an event where ideas are tested, even improved, by and for the community. The hackthons are intensively opportunity to practice problem-based learning. If we learn classroom concepts first and then solve problems, in just the opposite happens hackthons. And it works really well.

Getting Started

Although by definition hackathons are events made ​​for programmers, as I said above present a role model for all those who want to learn love solving problems. For example, I have had the opportunity to use it in my classes in this way:

1. Presentation of a problem, real preference
2. Training teams of four or five students
3. Definition of work tools
4. Debate team as a group and then the elements of the problem
5. Definition Format delivering results in a timely manner
6. Developing creative solutions, disruptive, effective
7. Presentation by team approach to the problem: the essence of its solution
8. Brief round of questions and answers
9. Selecting the best solutions
10. Self-critical reflection to improve

This is a small method that is not at all original, but it works for students to collaborate, form networks of ideas and enhance the knowledge from the solution of a specific problem. Imagine this model especially in closed areas such as government or business.

You can start by yourself self-taught, with a group of friends, in your community, build your own or participate in the hackathon to happen in your country, visit or opens a hacklab or hackerspace , let yourself contaminate good ideas, imagine a DNA strand needed of the rich genetic information of others. The point is to learn, to fully develop your talents, even when you discover the limit.

A hackathon, ideally, is about serving a common cause. And it works.

Photo: HackNY