Apps4VA Open Competition
The deadline for this competition has passed.
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CHALLENGE: Create an app that uses education data in unique ways. What cool new ways can we use and interpret the data? |
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Submission Requirements
1. Use at least one dataset from the VLDS Data Catalog Mashups accepted - Any publicly available data can be combined with 1 or more of the required datasets 2, Read and agree to Required Documents and Important Information above. (Detailed entry instructions, guidelines for apps creation and other requirements as well as terms & conditions are available in this section) 3. Minors must submit the Minor Permission Form. |
Eligibility
Individuals who reside legally in the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia. Entrants who are minors must have the consent of a parent or guardian and shall submit a consent form signed by a parent or guardian at the time of submitting his/her competition entry. |
SUBMIT AN ENTRY (DEADLINE JANUARY 31, 2013, 5:00 P.M.)
There are 6 easy parts to your submission:
1. Idea: Develop an idea for an app that uses data in a unique way.
2. Explanation (user manual): Write up to five pages to guide judges on how the app works and how to use it. Include who are the target users, what
datasets you used and how they were used. (If you are a team, include your team's name and all members' names and contact information in this
document.) See Submission Guidelines and Instructions for more detailed information on what to include in this document.
3. Your App: Once your app is ready, you need only supply a link to it so judges can test it.
4. Video Demo: Send us a link to see a demo of your app in action. No need for professional video - just clear sound and picture that show how
the working app should look.
5. Quick Summary: Write a paragraph that can be used to post your entry to the website. Explain who the end users would be and how the app
works.
6. Photograph: Submit a picture to be posted on the website so that voters can match a picture with the summary.
There are 6 easy parts to your submission:
1. Idea: Develop an idea for an app that uses data in a unique way.
2. Explanation (user manual): Write up to five pages to guide judges on how the app works and how to use it. Include who are the target users, what
datasets you used and how they were used. (If you are a team, include your team's name and all members' names and contact information in this
document.) See Submission Guidelines and Instructions for more detailed information on what to include in this document.
3. Your App: Once your app is ready, you need only supply a link to it so judges can test it.
4. Video Demo: Send us a link to see a demo of your app in action. No need for professional video - just clear sound and picture that show how
the working app should look.
5. Quick Summary: Write a paragraph that can be used to post your entry to the website. Explain who the end users would be and how the app
works.
6. Photograph: Submit a picture to be posted on the website so that voters can match a picture with the summary.
Prizes
Grand Prize $5,000
Second Prize $3,000
Third Prize $2,000
Second Prize $3,000
Third Prize $2,000
Things to Consider
Ask yourself:
- What challenges can data solve?
- What apps could be built to create an easy way for schools or school divisions to collaborate or pool resources?
- How can data be used to improve decision-making and, ultimately, to improve the future?
Decisions?
Q: Whose decisions could be affected by the availability of new apps?
A: Those of policymakers, the Virginia Department of Education, schools or school divisions and students.
Examples Here are a few quick examples of ways others have suggested the data could be used.
(* For more examples, visit the Competion page or the Idea Bank)
1. Success Preparation: Can you create an app to show if Virginia students are prepared for college success?
(Examples of indicators: percentages of students who must take developmental [remedial] college courses; percentages of students who earn
one year of college credit within a college year)
2. Success Preparation: Can we use the data to show signals (at the school or division level) that can help identify weaknesses in students’ college
and career-ready preparation?
3. Workforce and Future Occupations: Based on current or projected workforce needs, is there a way to determine if Virginia has a sufficient supply of
students to fill those needs? (For example, high demand, high skill and/or high tech jobs – STEM areas: Science, Technology, Engineering,
Mathematics.) Do we have appropriate/sufficient courses in place?
4. Schools, Divisions, Statewide Processes: What tools could be created to assist in cost improvements/cost reductions? (For example, is there a
way/could a tool be built to link more than one school division or identify ways multiple school divisions can collaborate or pool resources?)
5. Visual Presentation: Is there a way to combine and display certain data in a visual way to make them easier to understand?
Ask yourself:
- What challenges can data solve?
- What apps could be built to create an easy way for schools or school divisions to collaborate or pool resources?
- How can data be used to improve decision-making and, ultimately, to improve the future?
Decisions?
Q: Whose decisions could be affected by the availability of new apps?
A: Those of policymakers, the Virginia Department of Education, schools or school divisions and students.
Examples Here are a few quick examples of ways others have suggested the data could be used.
(* For more examples, visit the Competion page or the Idea Bank)
1. Success Preparation: Can you create an app to show if Virginia students are prepared for college success?
(Examples of indicators: percentages of students who must take developmental [remedial] college courses; percentages of students who earn
one year of college credit within a college year)
2. Success Preparation: Can we use the data to show signals (at the school or division level) that can help identify weaknesses in students’ college
and career-ready preparation?
3. Workforce and Future Occupations: Based on current or projected workforce needs, is there a way to determine if Virginia has a sufficient supply of
students to fill those needs? (For example, high demand, high skill and/or high tech jobs – STEM areas: Science, Technology, Engineering,
Mathematics.) Do we have appropriate/sufficient courses in place?
4. Schools, Divisions, Statewide Processes: What tools could be created to assist in cost improvements/cost reductions? (For example, is there a
way/could a tool be built to link more than one school division or identify ways multiple school divisions can collaborate or pool resources?)
5. Visual Presentation: Is there a way to combine and display certain data in a visual way to make them easier to understand?
