In-Class Project Showcase December 2024

SimpliCITY

The project aims to develop a web and app-based real-time tracking system for NGOs to monitor shelter, food, and health service availability. The platform allows public access to service maps and data on any device, including kiosks, without requiring login, while administrators can securely manage and update service information. It prioritizes user-friendliness and accessibility across all devices.

Interactive Media Design Fall 2024 Graduate Showcase

The Interactive Media Design (IMD) Fall 2024 Showcase website highlights the talents of graduating students from Algonquin College’s IMD program. This project celebrates the achievements of students across various fields, including graphic design, web development, multimedia design, photography, and UX/UI design. The showcase provides prospective employers, future students, and alumni with a comprehensive look at each graduate’s work and skills. Through updated branding and unique student profiles, the Fall 2024 edition aims to inspire, connect, and promote new talent within the digital media industry, creating valuable networking opportunities and visibility for our graduates.

SPEnD: New social enterprises at Algonquin College in 2025

As we approach the final phase of the Social Innovation Lab’s SPEnD research initiative, we plan to launch new student-led social enterprises at Algonquin College in 2025. These social enterprises seek to address the needs of the Algonquin College community while empowering the next generation of business leaders.

Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, our social enterprises are shaped by insights gained from the “Xplore Impact” tool, an interactive map designed by SPEnD students. This tool allows us draw inspiration from global social entrepreneurship models and discover how we can apply these solutions in our own community.

This fall, we’ve brainstormed, conducted exploratory research, and engaged with students and community partners to uncover meaningful ways to address the needs of the Algonquin College community. We’re excited to share our findings at the Applied Research Showcase, hear your feedback, and move forward with launching these social enterprises in 2025!

QuizMakerAI

Our focus on UI and UX ensures that users experience a seamless and visually engaging platform. With a responsive design, interactive elements, and clear navigation, QuizMaker AI empowers students to efficiently turn their notes into quizzes, track their progress, and receive feedback. Our work emphasizes ease of use, accessibility across devices, and a polished, consistent look and feel, enhancing both the functionality and enjoyment of the study experience.

EcoAdventure

The Educational Video Games for Sustainable Consumerism project aims to create an engaging and educational video game designed for children aged 7-9. The game will raise awareness about eco-friendly practices, sustainability, and the importance of reducing harmful chemical exposure. Players will embark on a space adventure where they must clean up a polluted planet to repair their spaceship. As they progress, they will learn about recycling, waste management, and other sustainable practices, making the game both fun and informative.

Zoho CRM – Duplicate Identification Extension

The focus of this project is to provide a platform for Zoho CRM, in which users can identify duplicate records within their Zoho record modules. Primarily, the software developed through this project is an extension, which will identify duplicates within Zoho’s default Accounts, Contacts and Leads modules. The extension also provides the user with a variety of search settings and comes with a local database with which data can be synced to to save on API calls to the Zoho servers. Search settings include the ability to search by multiple fields, which are combined using either AND or OR operators to create a search pattern. An option to exclude data from the search based on the presence of specified values is also provided. Finally, the ability for users to schedule searches has also been implemented, allowing users to schedule searches on each module with their specified settings.

Designed Spaces: Staging Success

Designed Spaces specializes in home staging for clients in the Hamilton region and the Greater Toronto Area, primarily for homeowners and real estate agents looking to enhance property appeal before listing for sale. The project focuses on rebranding and redesigning websites to better represent their value in a fast-changing competitive industry.

Through our research, we identified key customer insights. Clients prioritize affordability, as Designed Spaces maintains cost-efficiency by owning staging materials rather than relying on rentals. Additionally, they require quick turnaround times, given the speed of the real estate market in these regions. Designed Spaces’ customers also appreciate custom staging solutions that can be tailored to specific market trends, such as modern, minimalist, or family-oriented design, to increase the engagement of target buyers.

Our research shows that competitors in staging and real estate offer varied approaches: staging companies focus on speed and creativity, design firms integrate staging with broader services, real estate agents provide in-house staging for convenience, and DIY options attract budget-sensitive clients. In contrast, we emphasize a tailored, high-quality staging experience that balances creativity and efficiency to set us apart.

The home staging industry is changing. Modern design trends now favor clean, simple looks with natural touches, which Designed Spaces includes in their staging. Furthermore, with many customers looking for eco-friendly options like energy-efficient lighting and repurposed furniture, sustainability has become increasingly important—an area where Designed Spaces can gain a competitive edge.

Another significant trend is digital innovation: virtual staging is seen as a practical and cost-effective option. Especially in a post-pandemic environment where virtual tours are common, virtual staging can be a valuable digital service that the Design Spaces can expand.

Our rebranding and website redesign will focus on showcasing these unique strengths. The refreshed website will emphasize their competitive features like quick project turnarounds, and ability to deliver trend-focused, customizable designs. Through an updated and visually engaging website, Designed Spaces will strengthen its reputation as a trusted and innovative staging partner for the GTA and Hamilton real estate markets.

Éco-Déchets

Our project aims to measure and track greenhouse gas emissions from residential waste while also organizing digital markets to understand waste flows. This approach seeks to solve important environmental problems, like climate change, by showing how waste management affects emissions. Many communities face poor waste disposal issues, leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions and less recycling. By creating a system to track waste, the project will help identify areas that need improvement and encourage recycling and waste reduction. We are trying to achieve environmental goals create economic opportunities and improve the quality of life in the community.

PartnerSync

PartnerSync is a project-matching platform developed by our team to connect Algonquin College faculty with external partners, creating tailored, impactful projects that meet real-world needs. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, PartnerSync facilitates meaningful collaboration, providing students with hands-on experience in tackling practical challenges.

Talecraft

TaleCraft.ca is a dedicated educational platform centered around the book All Cleared Up: The Secret to Understanding Phrasal Verbs. This specialized resource addressed one of the most complex and often frustrating aspects of English grammar: phrasal verbs. Designed by an ESL expert with over two decades of teaching experience, the book aims to demystify challenging verb phrases, making them accessible and understandable for English language learners, teachers, and language enthusiasts alike. TaleCraft.ca serves as a comprehensive gateway, offering detailed insights into the book’s unique approach, the author’s expertise, and the platform’s mission to support English language education worldwide.

Upon arriving on the Home Page, visitors are welcomed with an introduction to the author’s professional background and her passion for simplifying English grammar. This section also presents the TaleCraft mission, which focuses on helping users, particularly educators and students, overcome the common hurdles associated with phrasal verbs. The Home Page highlights the practical benefits of All Cleared Up, illustrating how it serves as an essential educational tool for those striving to master English grammar. Through a thoughtfully crafted welcome message, TaleCraft emphasizes the book’s value in transforming complex language concepts into digestible, relatable lessons that cater to a diverse audience, from novice learners to advanced students and seasoned ESL educators.

For those interested in connecting with the author, ordering the book in bulk, or providing feedback, the Contact Section offers a user-friendly contact form. This feature is designed to make it easy for visitors to reach out with inquiries about the book or suggestions for future editions. The simple layout and intuitive design encourage open communication, allowing educators, institutions, and individuals alike to get in touch with confidence. Whether they are seeking additional resources or wish to discuss bulk orders for educational programs, the Contact Section offers a reliable way to facilitate meaningful interaction with the TaleCraft team and the book’s author.

The Book Page provides a detailed overview of All Cleared Up: The Secret to Understanding Phrasal Verbs, outlining its educational philosophy, structure, and the engaging, interactive activities it includes to promote comprehension and retention. This page delves into the book’s innovative approach, which is centered around breaking down phrasal verbs into manageable parts, exploring their multiple meanings, and helping learners understand the subtle nuances that differentiate them. Through examples, sample pages, and reviews, visitors can preview the book’s content, gaining insight into how it enriches language learning. Convenient purchase links are also available, making it easy for visitors to acquire the book and integrate its resources into their language studies or teaching curricula.

In essence, TaleCraft.ca is more than just a website; it’s an educational platform designed to empower English learners and teachers by providing access to a valuable resource that simplifies and explains a notoriously difficult area of English grammar. By leveraging the author’s extensive experience and commitment to language education, the platform fulfills a vital role in supporting ESL instruction and helping users achieve fluency and confidence in their use of English. Through its thoughtfully organized sections and valuable content, TaleCraft.ca bridges the gap between complex grammar concepts and practical, accessible learning, making it an invaluable asset to the English language learning community.