[GSoC 2014] Interested in "Tell The Time", "Label The Diagram" and "Learn from Map" apps

[Tushar Bhargava]

Hi BuildmLearn team!

I'm a first year Computer Science student at Brown University (USA). While a Computer Science major, I'm also interested in the field of education and the intersection of technology and education has always been fascinating for me. I am proficient in Java and have developed educational Android apps before. Apart from my programming skills I also took a fairly rigorous introductory education course last semester and consequently am aware of common teaching methodologies, how to create an effective curriculum and various educational pedagogies. I have been part of the Open Source community for several years now, and have been a columnist for Full Circle Magazine and contributed to Open Source For You (the largest Open Source magazine in India). I was hoping GSoC 2014 and the BuildmLearn project will be my opportunity to contribute code to the movement and I am particularly interested in "Tell the Time", "Label the Diagram" and "Learn from Map" applications.

I had a few queries about the applications:

1.) In our proposal do we only describe how we will implement one idea (eg: Tell the Time application) or can we describe multiple ideas (eg: both Tell the Time and Label the Map)? If each proposal is only one idea, can we submit multiple proposals? 

2.) In the Ideas page there was no preference given to iOS or Android, will our mentors be proficient in both forms of application development? (I am more well versed with Android development)

3.) Which time-zone will the mentors for the aforementioned apps be in during the summer? I will be back home in New Delhi, India. This is a small detail however, having the same time-zone would be convenient.

Also congratulations on the great work the BuildmLearn team has done already, hope I get a chance to contribute too!

Best,

Tushar Bhargava 

[Pankaj Nathani]

Hi Tushar,

Thanks for posting a wonderful introduction. I checked out Arthashastra, it seems cool. 

 

1.) In our proposal do we only describe how we will implement one idea (eg: Tell the Time application) or can we describe multiple ideas (eg: both Tell the Time and Label the Map)? If each proposal is only one idea, can we submit multiple proposals? 

One project idea / application per proposals. You can however send more proposals, I guess Google allows a max of 5. Please check the GSoC FAQ for this.

 

2.) In the Ideas page there was no preference given to iOS or Android, will our mentors be proficient in both forms of application development? (I am more well versed with Android development)

We are open to Android, iOS, Windows Phone or even HTML5 application on mobile. Yes, all our mentors have good background  in mobile apps.. most of them are mobile app developers primarily. If you feel Android is your game, you can submit for Android.

 

3.) Which time-zone will the mentors for the aforementioned apps be in during the summer? I will be back home in New Delhi, India. This is a small detail however, having the same time-zone would be convenient.

We are in India, so I guess that's good news for you!

Cheers,

Pankaj.

[Tushar Bhargava]

Thanks for the informative and prompt reply Mr. Nathani ! 

I will start working on my project proposals immediately.

I was also wondering, is it acceptable to ask for feedback on our proposal from the mentors on this Google Group? The GSoC Guide mentions this as a common practice but I just wanted to make sure!

Best,

Tushar

[Pankaj Nathani]

 

I was also wondering, is it acceptable to ask for feedback on our proposal from the mentors on this Google Group? The GSoC Guide mentions this as a common practice but I just wanted to make sure!

Yes, if you send in your draft proposal early enough, we can try to review it before you submit to melange.