NGO Guide

Welcome to OpenImpact Lab! This guide explains how NGOs can create projects, manage student submissions, and make the most of our platform.

Getting Started

NGOs can create an account on OpenImpact Lab by accessing app.openimpactlab.org. After logging in, you'll see your dashboard, which includes analytics such as active projects, pending submissions from students, questions received, and more.

When you first log in, your dashboard will be empty since you haven't created a project yet. Let's learn how to create your first project.

Creating a Project

To create a project, navigate to the "Create Project" tab on the left side menu. Here's what you'll need to do:

Project creation process:

1. Enter a project name: Type in the "Project Title" field
2. Add a description: Write what students will achieve with this project
3. Set up an example: Create an app or website to help students understand what they're building
4. Click "AI Define Project": This option helps refine project details such as benefits, difficulty level, estimated time commitment, expected outcomes, required items, and more
5. Set a deadline: We recommend twice the estimated time for completion
6. Review requirements: Check all project details
7. Create project: Once satisfied, click the create button

Pro tip: A well-defined project with clear requirements and expectations attracts more student interest.

Managing Your Projects

After creating a project, you can navigate to "Your Projects" to see a table with all your projects. Here you can:

• View project details: Including creation date, student participation, and status
• Click on a project: To go to the project page where you'll see more detailed information
• Check registered students: See which students have enrolled in your project
• Access the "How do I start?" button: See a walkthrough of using the project page

The Project Page

The project page is where you can manage and monitor the project's progress:

Project page features:

• Project Information: The default view with project details
• Student Progress: Track how students are advancing
• Leadership Board: See student rankings
• Manual Help & Support: Answer student questions

The task progress section allows you to see the broken-down project tasks. You can click on the task will show the task details.

Reviewing Student Submissions

When students complete projects, you'll need to review their work:

1. Navigate to the submissions page: See a list of completed projects
2. Click on submissions: To review the student's work
3. Check the GitHub repository: You can see their code and try deploying it
4. Make a decision: Accept the project or request revisions
5. Provide feedback: Help students understand what needs improvement

Important: Timely feedback helps students improve and stay engaged with your projects.

Managing Settings

The settings page allows you to:

• Change your password
• Edit your organization profile
• Access documentation
• Submit bug reports
• Submit feature requests
• Manage notification preferences

Pro tip: Keep your organization profile updated with your latest mission and focus areas to attract students who are passionate about your cause.

Best Practices

To make the most of the OpenImpact Lab platform:

• Be specific: Clearly define project goals and requirements
• Engage actively: Respond to student questions promptly
• Provide examples: When possible, show examples of what you're looking for
• Set realistic deadlines: Consider that students are balancing multiple commitments
• Give constructive feedback: Help students learn and improve