Digital Transformation of a Capstone Project Showcase

The capstone or final year project represents the conclusion of a four year degree for a Computing student. This true-to-life project provides students with an opportunity to showcase the skills they have developed throughout the course of their programme. This work is then the evidence which they take to employers to demonstrate their abilities. The final year project at National College of Ireland (NCI) culminates in a showcase of all student projects where employers, family, friends and other students can visit the college campus and meet with and speak to students about their work.

Showcase is a day enveloped in pride of achievement, positivity and opportunities, and is a day that resonates with every final year computing student. For many it represents the first steps beyond third level education putting a student’s hard work and dedication in the trajectory of potential employers. It is a morning of networking where many students gain interview opportunities and secure employment further to the event. Others attract the interest of potential investors for their unique project ideas.

Government guidelines requiring the closure of all third level institutions, signalled an end to the traditional showcase for 2020. In response, faculty and staff of the college had to re-imagine the event to provide students with a new platform for networking and celebration and to showcase their skills. Funding was secured for a website for hosting student profiles and project details. This website took centre stage amongst a week long social media campaign which culminated in a live broadcast of speeches and prize announcements via YouTube.

This paper documents the experience of moving the traditional showcase event online and how it compared with previous face to face iterations of the event.