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About “Hack The Language Flagship!”

“Hack The Language Flagship!” is an amazing opportunity to become involved with a group of like-minded peers who have original ideas and want to drive the language technology innovation agenda together. Imagine the possibility of changing the world of language education over one weekend!

The Flagship Hackathon is a fast-paced event optimized for discovery and creativity. Use your experience and seek advice from experts in the field of language technology to propose technology-based solutions (“hacks”) that may impact the future of language learning.

2022 Hackathon

The Tech Center held its 2022 Hackathon, Hack the Language Flagship, on April 8th and 9th on the campus of the University of Maryland, College Park. The event is designed to engage Flagship students from across the United States in ideation of new technologies to support or enhance their language learning experience. This year’s theme was mobile language learning. Twenty-nine students from 13 different Flagship programs collaborated in teams to design mobile experiences that integrated mobile affordances and language learning objectives. Towards the end of the event, each team presented their design pitch to all attendees. A winner was selected by a panel of experts in language learning.

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CONGRATULATIONS!

The winning team designed a mobile application called Flagphone to assist students in preparing for study abroad by learning how to navigate the pragmatics of living abroad, such as how to handle issues with banking or housing and communicate effectively in both work and social life through email, calls, texts, or Facetime.

Emma Strouse (Chinese, Arizona State University), Maria Julian (Chinese, Western Kentucky University), Moriah Thomas (Russian, University of Georgia), Quintin Gay (Russian, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), and Premvanti Patel (Persian, University of Maryland).

10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE

1
You’ll learn something new.
This Hackathon event will give you an opportunity to develop skills and perspectives for problem solving and becoming an innovation leader. 
2
You’ll realize what you do know, and teach others about what you know.
You do not need to be an expert in technology to participate. Technology integration is complex. No matter what skills you have, you will always have something valuable to share with your team. Starting from the solutions that have been proposed for the hackathon, you will learn about other challenges that may be solved with technology and about issues involving language acquisition and technology.
3
You’ll create something new before you leave. Well, yes. It will most probably be a rough plan but it will also add a line to your résumé and will get you an electronic badge that proves you were there.
4
You’ll get to team problem-solve on real issues.
THIS can be an invaluable line to put on your résumé! We challenge you to find an employer that does not find this type of experience valuable.
5
An unforgettable experience.
An opportunity to develop and grow professionally.
6
A shot at changing the world of language learning!
How many of your Flagship colleagues have the chance to creatively apply their expertise, experiences, interests, and skills to find technology solutions for the Flagship? You’ll gain fame as “the one who took part in the Hackathon”!
7

You’ll meet many interesting, motivated people.
Who goes to hackathons, if not motivated people who think it’ll be fun to work intensively on building something for the common good?

8

You’ll make new friends.
Hackathons are fast-paced, collaborative competitions with unexpected challenges and changes. This makes for great bonding experiences with other Flagship peers.

9

You’ll grow.
Besides what you will learn about teamwork, you’ll also learn a lot about language and technology and many interdisciplinary connections just from interacting with team coaches and Tech Center faculty.

10
You’ll be made part of the Tech Center’s Student Advisory Council.
And you know what that means? You get to chart with us the future of technology in the Flagship. And yes, one more line to add to your résumé!

 

Did we convince you?

 

WHAT TO EXPECT


Community building

“Hack The Language Flagship!” is designed to build an energized community of student innovators and ideators across the Flagship community. As Hackathon participant, you automatically become a member of the Tech Center Student Advisory Council. As a board member, you will provide input and guidance on technology projects and initiatives that may have a direct impact on the Flagship community and Flagship students’ language learning endeavors.

Coaches

A group of language technology experts will coach your team to take an idea from a creative spark to potential implementation in the Flagship program.  

Design Thinking

Using design thinking to guide co-creation and problem-solving, you will work on a team with fellow-Flagshippers to synergize your ideas for technology solutions that can enhance language learning and drive innovation in the Flagship community.

Taskmaster

In individual challenges, you will get a chance to demonstrate out-of-the-box thinking, pushing yourself to new limits and skill-levels!

Pitch Training

Following a business model canvas, your team will learn the nuts and bolts of how to pitch your ideas for feedback and evaluation from our coaches.

Badges & Awards

Secure yourself a Hackathon badge for the skills you acquired in the competition and showcase the badge on your resume. And who knows… you may be in for other awards at “Hack The Language Flagship!”

Explore previous Hackathons

Contact Information

TECH CENTER

1890 East West Road

Moore Hall 256

Honolulu, HI 96822

(808) 956-5121

tech.center@hawaii.edu

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