University Hackathons: New Ways of Educational and Social Innovation. The Experience of the University of Salamanca

Abstract

Hackathons’ celebration in the educational context has become an interesting formula to promote new forms of teaching and learning and to include universities in the processes of social and business innovation. For that reason, more and more universities are launching this type of initiative, born in the environment of hackers and which have evolved to extend to all professional and academic fields.

This article describes the most outstanding results of the experience of participation of the University of Salamanca in hackathons over six years, as well as the main academic benefits that this type of technological meetings can bring to professors and students.