Mtsweni, Jabu SAbdullah, H2016-01-202016-01-202015-10Mtsweni, J.S. and Abdullah, H. 2015. Stimulating and maintaining students’ interest in Computer Science using the hackathon model. The Independent Journal of Teaching and Learning, vol. 10, pp 85-971818-9687http://reference.sabinet.co.za/webx/access/electronic_journals/jitl1/jitl1_v10_a6.pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/10204/8347Copyright: 2015 Sabinet. Due to copyright restrictions, the attached PDF file only contains the abstract of the full text item. For access to the full text item, please consult the publisher's website. The definitive version of the work is published in The Independent Journal of Teaching and Learning, vol. 10, pp 85-97Computer Science (CS) enrolments at higher education institutions across the globe remain low in comparison to other disciplines. The low interest in CS is often attributed to students’ misconceptions about the discipline, such as CS being construed as complex, asocial, and only for computer wizards. Consequently, hackathons, which are self-organised programmes that bring together different stakeholders to collaborate in rapidly building software prototypes, are emerging as one potential solution to address some of the students’ misconceptions about the CS field. Using an exploratory case study and activity theory for data analysis; this research article presents substantive research findings that posit hackathons as an approach that could stimulate and maintain students’ interest in CS. The key elements of the hackathon model are collaborations, networking, mentoring, hands-on engagement in socially-relevant computing projects, and community involvement. The model was evaluated using expert reviews in terms of its relevance, impact, complexity, and sustainability.enComputer scienceHackathonsOpen distance learningSocially relevant computingCommunity engagementArticleMtsweni, J. S., & Abdullah, H. (2015). Stimulating and maintaining students’ interest in Computer Science using the hackathon model. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/8347Mtsweni, Jabu S, and H Abdullah "Stimulating and maintaining students’ interest in Computer Science using the hackathon model." (2015) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/8347Mtsweni JS, Abdullah H. Stimulating and maintaining students’ interest in Computer Science using the hackathon model. 2015; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/8347.TY - Article AU - Mtsweni, Jabu S AU - Abdullah, H AB - Computer Science (CS) enrolments at higher education institutions across the globe remain low in comparison to other disciplines. The low interest in CS is often attributed to students’ misconceptions about the discipline, such as CS being construed as complex, asocial, and only for computer wizards. Consequently, hackathons, which are self-organised programmes that bring together different stakeholders to collaborate in rapidly building software prototypes, are emerging as one potential solution to address some of the students’ misconceptions about the CS field. Using an exploratory case study and activity theory for data analysis; this research article presents substantive research findings that posit hackathons as an approach that could stimulate and maintain students’ interest in CS. The key elements of the hackathon model are collaborations, networking, mentoring, hands-on engagement in socially-relevant computing projects, and community involvement. The model was evaluated using expert reviews in terms of its relevance, impact, complexity, and sustainability. DA - 2015-10 DB - ResearchSpace DP - CSIR KW - Computer science KW - Hackathons KW - Open distance learning KW - Socially relevant computing KW - Community engagement LK - https://researchspace.csir.co.za PY - 2015 SM - 1818-9687 T1 - Stimulating and maintaining students’ interest in Computer Science using the hackathon model TI - Stimulating and maintaining students’ interest in Computer Science using the hackathon model UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10204/8347 ER -