UCL future of education hackathon: what did students say?

Students helped shape the UCL education of the future last week when they took part in the university's first education hackathon.

Over pizza, the students came up with innovative ideas of how those about to take up an undergraduate place at UCL could be welcomed into the university.

They also discussed whether there should be an optional online interdisciplinary programme for students before they arrive for their first term - and what this might look like.

The ideas from the hackathon will help form UCL's five-year education strategy - something the office of the Vice-Provost (Education and Student Affairs) is currently working on.

A virtual tour of UCL

The 29 students at the hackathon suggested, among other things, 15-minute short videos in the style of TED talks, a London survival guide for students new to the city and an online forum for students to chat before they arrived.

"A virtual tour of UCL and it's facilities would be great - something which shows the study spaces, computer rooms, toilets and even useful places in the local area and how far away they are," one student said.

Another suggested having guides to online resources, such as Moodle and readings in one place to make things easier.

"It would be good if we could leave comments and reviews about facilities and places," one student said. "I want to be able to see what spaces look like beforehand (especially if I am booking for a society) and which part of UCL they are in," said another.

Our illustrator, David Smithson, attended the hackathon to capture the ideas in his sketchbook. The illustrations will be available next week on UCL's Teaching and Learning Portal.

What do you think? Do you agree?

Should we have an optional online interdisciplinary course for students before they start their undergraduate courses? What should students be shown of UCL before they start here? How should a UCL education change in the next five years?

Your views will help shape our plan for UCL teaching and learning over the next five years.

You can fill in our online form or send us an email.

For more information, including a draft version of the Education Strategy 2016-21 visit the UCL Teaching and Learning Portal.

Jessica Shepherd, Head of Communications (Education and Student Affairs), Office of the Vice-Provost (Education and Student Affairs)