The Chronicle of Higher Education looks at how hackathons, innovation time off, and sprint prize competitions can provide immersive and high-impact learning experiences. Hackathons are short, intensive events where participants work to solve a problem. They can “motivate participants to focus on the situation at hand, learn new tools when necessary, and adapt existing knowledge and skills to meet the challenge.” In innovation time off, students are given part of course time to pursue a project, related to the course, of personal interest. This would allow students to “connect the dots between the course material and their own questions and interests.” In sprint prize competitions, students seek a “prize” for creating innovative solutions to problems. This practice “allows students to creatively use course skills in a fun environment while still being publicly accountable for their work.”
http://www.chronicle.com/article/3-Easy-Ways-to-Embrace/238111