NDLI: Hack for the homeless: A humanitarian technology hackathon

Content Provider	IEEE Xplore Digital Library
Author	Linnell, N. Figueira, S. Chintala, N. Falzarano, L. Ciancio, V.
Copyright Year	2014
Description	Author affiliation: Dept. of Comput. Eng., Santa Clara Univ., Santa Clara, CA, USA (Figueira, S.; Chintala, N.; Falzarano, L.; Ciancio, V.) \|\| Dept. of Math. & Comput. Sci., Santa Clara Univ., Santa Clara, CA, USA (Linnell, N.)
Abstract	In this paper, we discuss our experiences with, and the outcomes of, a hackathon for undergraduates centered on the topic of technology for the homeless. Working closely with a partner NGO, we provided students with ideas, a sample database, programming tutorials and design feedback. Our hackathon was very successful, resulting in high-quality work and student engagement. In addition to reporting on lessons learned, we will also discuss the top two projects. One was Homeless Helpline, an automated voice system that allows homeless clients to call in and receive information about the services available to them in their area. This project ties into our partner NGO's existing database to automatically extract the information needed for the user, allowing anyone with access to a phone - even a payphone or a feature cell phone - to get access to this information, with very little cost to the NGO. The other project we discuss takes a different approach, making the same information available as a smartphone app, allowing the user to get more precise information about the services closest to their current location, alongside directions, etc. The hackathon was successful enough that we intend to make it an annual event. The paper will also discuss our thoughts on how to host your own successful socially-motivated hackathon for undergraduates.
Starting Page	577
Ending Page	584
File Size	564268
Page Count	8
File Format	PDF
ISBN	9781479971930
DOI	10.1109/GHTC.2014.6970341
Language	English
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
Publisher Date	2014-10-10
Publisher Place	USA
Access Restriction	Subscribed
Rights Holder	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
Subject Keyword	Technology for the Homeless Student Engagement Databases Cellular phones Communities Sociology Organizations Medical services Humanitarian Technology Statistics Human-Computer Interaction
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
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