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On Tuesday, September 19, the fourth semester of "Producerend leren" started at the ICT Lab Utrecht. Thirteen students from the ICT College in Nieuwegein were guests at Dialogic in Utrecht for the kick-off.
Smart City and Smart Technology projects
Sven Maltha, director of Dialogic and initiator of ICT Lab Utrecht, informed, prepared, and challenged the students about upcoming Smart City and Smart Technology projects in an engaging manner.
Practical challenge
After an introductory session about ICT Lab, the ICT students were given a practical challenge. In the first task, they had to come up with a problem or innovation and write a project plan for it. The main questions were: What is the problem/innovation, how will you approach it, and what do you need for it?
Talking medicine box
The students enthusiastically worked on their projects and came up with innovative ideas. One of them was an ICT application on an Anabox (medicine box) designed to assist elderly people living alone in taking their medication at specific times. A medical wristband with a speaker reminds the individual to take their medication. If already taken, it is recorded in the system via the smart switch on the Anabox.
Web app for vending machine
Another innovation presented was remotely registering and monitoring stock levels in various vending machines (such as drink, candy, and snack machines). Keystrokes at the time of purchase track sales and remaining stock. A web application allows the administrator to access sales data per machine. Based on this information, they can determine if refilling is necessary, preventing unnecessary trips for full machines.
Managing traffic flows
For the second task, students had to develop an ICT solution for an existing problem. They proposed directing traffic bringing beach visitors to Scheveningen on a busy summer day to four different parking areas to prevent congestion and avoid visitors parking in residential areas near the beach.
After sharp discussions, brainstorming creative ideas, and collaborative efforts, practical and useful solutions were presented. Dialogic team leaders were pleasantly surprised by the participants' creativity and problem-solving skills. This demonstrated that the students have the required knowledge and skills to engage in ICT-related projects. They now have a clear understanding of what is expected of them in the coming months.
Scrum training and Agile
Prior to starting the development projects, on Tuesday, September 26, students received practical SCRUM training from Jim Dunk, a teacher of Application Development and Project Management at the ICT College. This training will enable them to work Agile during the project period and take on roles within the scrum team.
In the afternoon, the students were interviewed personally by the director of the ICT Lab Utrecht. Based on their knowledge, skills, interests, and project preferences, project teams were formed.
On Tuesday, October 3, the three project teams officially started at ICT Lab Utrecht, located at the Dialogic office.
Did you know that the ICT Lab Utrecht has been nominated for a prestigious award?