Inspiration
Our team was inspired to create CourseCurve by the challenges students often face when trying to plan their class schedules. We wanted to develop a tool that not only simplifies the process of selecting and scheduling courses but also considers the accessibility needs of all students, including those with mobility issues. Our goal was to make academic life easier and more inclusive at Virginia Tech.
What it does
CourseCurve is a college course scheduling tool designed for Virginia Tech students. It allows users to select their desired courses by subject and class number. The tool then auto-generates a class schedule based on the course CRNs. Additionally, CourseCurve features an accessibility tool that assists users with disabilities by planning easier routes to their classes, taking into account factors like the floor the class is on and the distance between buildings.
How we built it
We built CourseCurve using a combination of frontend and backend technologies:
Frontend: ReactJS: The user interface was developed using ReactJS to ensure a user-friendly and interactive experience. CSS: Custom styling was applied to make the application visually appealing and intuitive.
Backend: MongoDB: MongoDB served as the database for storing course information, user data, and scheduling preferences. Java: The backend logic was implemented using Java, handling user requests and interacting with the database. AI: We integrated AI algorithms to optimize class schedules based on user preferences and course availability.
Challenges we ran into
While building our project, we encountered several challenges:
AI Integration: Implementing AI algorithms to generate class schedules required a deep understanding of optimization techniques. Debugging and fine-tuning the AI component was time-consuming.
Real-time Updates: Implementing real-time updates for course availability and schedule changes was complex. We had to ensure that users always had access to the latest information.
Accessibility Features: Incorporating accessibility features, such as route planning and considering floor accessibility, required careful design and development to ensure they were accurate and helpful.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We take pride in several accomplishments related to CourseCurve: Successfully developing a user-friendly and visually appealing frontend interface using ReactJS and CSS. Integrating AI algorithms to generate optimized class schedules, providing a valuable service to students. Implementing accessibility features to make the tool more inclusive for all users, including those with disabilities. Overcoming the challenges we encountered during development and delivering a functional product within the hackathon timeframe.
What we learned
Our experience in creating CourseCurve taught us valuable lessons, including: Proficiency in frontend development with ReactJS and CSS. Skills in backend development using Java and MongoDB for data management. Understanding the importance of accessibility and how to implement features that benefit users with disabilities. The complexities and intricacies of integrating AI algorithms into real-world applications.
What's next for CourseCurve
Looking forward, we aim to broaden CourseCurve's user base to universities nationwide, continually enhance AI algorithms for optimal scheduling, improve accessibility features, and prioritize user feedback to solidify CourseCurve as the ultimate tool for course scheduling and accessibility in higher education.
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