Demo EduXS Iteration 6 

Building on Momentum

The EduXS team kicked off the year with the demonstration of Iteration 6, showcasing significant progress in the development of its MVP1 (Minimum Viable Product 1). Here’s a summary of what was presented during the session. 

Public Playground Access

One of the standout achievements of this iteration is the public accessibility of the EduXS Playground. For the first time, users can explore the tool without a VPN via the SDP platform, broadening engagement and simplifying access.

While Baserow, the data management tool, is integrated, automatic synchronisation between it and the EduXS database is not yet available. This enhancement, which will allow real-time updates, is planned for upcoming iterations. Simplified URLs are also in development to improve navigation.

Backend Improvements

Robbert demonstrated updates to the backend on behalf of Jan, focusing on improving data synchronisation processes. The highlight was a new difference detection tool that enables incremental updates rather than full synchronisations. This advancement streamlines efficiency and lays the groundwork for seamless data management in the future.

Frontend Enhancements

Robbert also presented several frontend updates to optimise the user experience: 

• Improved Navigation and Visual Design: Zoom buttons, coloured headers, and draggable card views now make the platform more intuitive. 
• Persistent Filters: Applied filters are retained when navigating between views, improving efficiency. 
• Search Tool: A bug affecting the search function has been resolved, ensuring smoother performance.
• Version Control: The display of version numbers aids in troubleshooting and feedback management. 

Engaging Suggestions

Attendee Patrik Maltusch offered valuable suggestions during the session, particularly regarding a feature to track and display recent data updates. This feature could serve multiple purposes for various user groups:

• Standard users: By showing updates it can foster curiosity and encourage greater user engagement. 
• Expert group members: Detailed insights into the nature of updates, could help manage and ensure data quality effectively.  
• The Board: As a benchmarking tool, this feature could illustrate platform activity and community contributions.

The team recognised the importance of Patrik’s suggestions, noting that such features could enhance user engagement and provide valuable metrics for long-term strategy.

Looking Ahead

The session ended with a preview of exciting developments:

• The first meeting of the Expert Group is scheduled for 9 January 2025. This group will focus on ensuring data quality and input for the platform.
• The first EduXS Board meeting will be held on 14 January in Brussels. This milestone marks the beginning of EduXS as an independent entity under The Commons Conservancy.
• A soft launch of the tool is currently available for testing by a broader group, with the hard launch scheduled for 10 March 2025 during the Digital Universities Europe conference in Wroclaw, Poland.

Collaboration and Community

Ludi emphasised once again that the EduXS team prioritises reliability over functionality. He highlighted the importance of delivering a stable platform. This approach ensures a strong foundation for future development and user trust. The feedback mechanism also plays a crucial role in shaping the platform. The need for input from users is essential to ensure the tool meets expectations and addresses any overlooked requirements.

EduXS addresses the need for clarity in the intricate web of relationships within the European education environment. Patrik illustrated this by referencing a visual which highlights the “spaghetti” of interconnected organisations and systems. This complexity makes it difficult for users to understand how entities relate to one another, underscoring the importance of a tool like EduXS to bring structure and transparency. By enabling dynamic, up-to-date visualisations, EduXS establishes itself as a tool that simplifies complexity, fosters collaboration, and enhances decision-making across Europe.

Next Demo

The next demo is scheduled for 6 February 2025, promising further developments as EduXS moves closer to its official launch.