Hack the Experience: Scaffolding Codesign Processes for Organizational Innovation in Language Learning

Abstract

Hackathons are collaborative gatherings where participants address a challenge that touches on a shared concern or problem. The hackathon event model is increasingly adopted by diverse types of organizations that involve an equally diverse set of participants. In this case study, we report on an online hackathon event that was adapted for an educational organization. The event was offered as an opportunity to build community and enhance innovation skills for a group of undergraduate language students from across the United States. In contrast to technology focused outcomes, participants in the event focused on designing and prototyping experiences common in language learning. The case study presents the elements and dynamics of the hackathon through the lens of codesign to illustrate how specific stakeholder design activity can be scaffolded and facilitated to produce actionable design artifacts. These artifacts capture the design process that subsequently informs organizational innovations and product discovery.