Learn-Apply-Reinforce/Share Learning: Hackathons and CTFs as General Pedagogic Tools in Higher Education, and Their Applicability to Distance Learning

TL;DR

This paper explores hackathons and CTFs as pedagogic tools in higher education, generalizes their principles into a new Learn-Apply-Reinforce/Share Learning framework, and assesses its suitability for distance learning, especially during crises like COVID-19.

Contribution

It introduces a novel, subject-independent pedagogic framework derived from hackathons and CTFs, applicable to distance education and adaptable for research-driven learning.

Findings

Framework is applicable to distance learning environments

Hackathons and CTFs share underlying pedagogic principles

Potential for the method to foster research engagement

Abstract

This paper lays out two teaching/learning methods that are becoming increasingly prevalent in computer science - hackathons, and Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions - and the pedagogic theory that underpins them. A case study of each is analysed, and the underpinning similarities extracted. The frameworks are then generalised to Learn-Apply-Reinforce/Share Learning - a social constructivistic method that can be used subject-independently. The applicability of this new method to distance learning is then investigated - with a mind to potential necessity to work from home - both due to increasing demand in the Higher Education sector, but also the devastating impact of crises such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, a few potential extensions and future applications are discussed - including the possibilities of pivoting the method to be more research-driven, or indeed, to drive research.