What will you envision the future of ThinkQuest to be?
That is the question from our team. We want to find out from past winners how they would like ThinkQuest to evolve into. So, thanks to some of their responses, you get the rare gem - views direct from the past winners of ThinkQuest!
Each response from each past winner of ThinkQuest is coupled with a podcast that contains our narration of their response plus explanation, elaboration and review of what they had said. If you want to save these into your computer or mp3 player, simply right-click each link and save the target/link to the desired destination.
Response #1
Kishore N C
Listen to podcast
I would definitely would like to see some sort of server side scripting functionality. By saying NO to server side technologies I think we are missing out on a lot of features that can be better used to give a more enriching experience. Although such a move can be a double edged sword, with valid security concerns, I still think that by restricting rights and core features, ThinkQuest can allow reasonable use of databases and server side technology.
I would like to see the inclusion of at least ONE overseas team member as mandatory for the teams competing in the competition. This certainly adds more challenge to the competition and would also make the experience much more valuable.
Finally I would like organizers to emphasize team to go for a more interactive form of learning, rather than filling the webpages with tonnes and tonnes of text.
Response #2
Sigit Adinugroho
Listen to podcast
I will not comment on the technical aspect e.g. the rules, the format of the competition or other things, because they will evolve by themselves as time changes. In my imagination, TQ in the future is so much about collaboration which will be enhanced in terms of getting more and more participants from places we never expected and new ways of communicating. The topics discussed will be more varied and focused, and will see innovation on the creation as web technology progresses. The length and quality of the entries will be enhanced, and I would see ThinkQuest Live changing places every year :)
Response #3
Ms Aileen Chor
Listen to podcast
I would like TQ participants to do more research based type of website, like the Avian Flu. This year I have a group working on assisting the handicapped to integrate into society. They cannot merely collect info from other websites or books. Instead they have to work with the handicap themselves and the organizations to understand their plight. Statistics are from the organization. Would like their website to arouse awareness than just pure info.
If they want to do more infomation-based website, like the Lung Cancer, that we'll be submitting, it must contain some interviews and surveys to to support their views.
The objectives of the survey were to find out the percentage of current or past ThinkQuesters who possess the necessary know-how of various web development technologies, namely XHTML, JavaScript, DOM, CSS and AJAX, and also their views on the aspects of ThinkQuest which can be improved.
Qing Sheng