Student Guide

Welcome to OpenImpact Lab! This guide explains how to get started, navigate the platform, and make the most of your learning journey.

Getting Started

As a student, you can create an account by accessing app.openimpactlab.org. After logging in, you'll see your dashboard which includes project analytics, active projects, pending submissions, student questions received, etc.

When you first log in, your dashboard will be empty since you haven't created a project yet. To begin your journey, follow these steps:

The Tutorial Project

Before enrolling in other projects, you need to complete the tutorial project first. This will help you understand how the platform works.

Completing the tutorial:

1. Navigate to "Opportunities": This is where you can see all available projects
2. Find the tutorial project: Click on it to learn more about the platform
3. Set up a GitHub account: You'll need this to complete projects on OpenImpact Lab
4. Follow the tutorial walkthrough: This will guide you through all the platform features

Pro tip: Pay close attention to the tutorial as it contains important information about how to use the project page.

Your Dashboard

After completing the tutorial, your dashboard will show:

• Projects completed: History of your finished work
• Projects in progress: What you're currently working on
• Projects submitted: Work awaiting review
• Impact score: A measure of your contributions
• Upcoming deadlines: Important dates for your active projects

Finding and Enrolling in Projects

You can find and enroll in new projects through these steps:

1. Go to "Opportunities": Browse all available projects
2. Review project details: Each listing includes the project description, benefits, difficulty level, estimated time commitment, expected outcomes, required items, and more
3. Click "How do I start?": To see a walkthrough of the enrollment process
4. Set up your GitHub repo: Each project requires a GitHub repository
5. Complete the enrollment: Follow the instructions to officially join the project

Remember: You must complete the tutorial project before enrolling in other opportunities.

Using the Project Page

Once enrolled in a project, the project page will be your main workspace:

Project page features:

• Task progress: Track your completion status
• Project tasks: Breakdown of all requirements
• GitHub link: Quick access to your code repository
• Settings: Customize your project experience

The default view shows Project Information. You can also switch to:

• Task Progress
• Project Tasks
• Leaderboard
• Manual Help & Support

The leaderboard shows the ranking of all students participating in the project. The Manual Help & Support section allows you to ask questions if you get stuck.

Submitting Your Work

When you've completed a project:

1. Navigate to your project page: Review all completed tasks
2. Click "Submit": This will notify reviewers that your work is ready for evaluation
3. Wait for feedback: You may receive suggestions or requests for revisions
4. Make any requested changes: Update your GitHub repository as needed
5. Resubmit if necessary: Follow the same process for any revisions

Upon successful completion, the project will be added to your portfolio, and you'll be able to see the GitHub project link and try deploying it from your project page.

Account Settings

The settings page allows you to:

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

Help us improve: We value your feedback on how we can make the platform better for your learning journey!