Before they set foot in their first class, incoming college students face a maze of requirements and resources that will be critical to their success. So-called “student supports” abound. Yet forty percent of first-year students don’t return the following year, and a growing number report information overload as they navigate campus life amid newfound independence.
The nine in 10 undergraduates who own smartphones are probably familiar with the xkcd about it. College-aged Americans check their devices more than 150 times per day. So it should be no surprise that a growing body of research suggests that mobile solutions can play a critical role in enhancing the student experience.
1. Is the mobile app native?
We’ve all had the frustrating experience of using a smartphone to navigate a page that was designed for a computer. But when designing native mobile apps, developers start with the small screen, which leads to simpler, cleaner platforms that get rid of the clutter of the desktop browsing experience.
As smartphones overtake laptops and desktops as the most popular way for young people to get online, native design is critical for universities to embrace.
2. Is there a simple content management system?
It’s also critical to explore whether mobile apps integrate with an institution’s existing LMS, CMS, and academic platforms. The most effective apps will allow you to draw upon and translate existing content and resources directly into the mobile experience.
My note: this is why it is worth experimenting with alternatives to LMS, such as Facebook Groups: they allow ready-to-use SIMPLE mobile interface.
3. Does it allow you to take targeted action?
At-risk or disengaged students often require more targeted communication and engagement which, if used effectively, can prevent them falling into those categories in the first place.
Unlike web-based tools, mobile apps should not only communicate information, but also generate insights and reports, highlighting key information into how students use the platform.
4. Does it offer communication and social networking opportunities?
Teenagers who grew up with chatbots and Snapchat expect instant communication to be part of any online interaction. Instead of making students toggle between the student affairs office and conversations with advisors, mobile platforms that offer in-app messaging can streamline the experience and keep users engaged.
5. Does it empower your staff?
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more on mobile in education in this IMS blog:
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=mobile+education
15 Great Apps for Teaching World History
https://plus.google.com/+Educatorstechnology/posts/c896498jn3z
most of the apps are paid
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more on history in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=history
Apps for Librarians: Empower Your Users with Mobile App Literacy eCourse
Nicole Hennig
Item Number: 1541-9076 Publisher: ALA Editions Price: $250.00
http://www.alastore.ala.org/detail.aspx?ID=11270&zbrandid=4634&zidType=CH&zid=42706629&zsubscriberId=1026665847&zbdom=http://ala-publishing.informz.net
Estimated Hours of Learning: 28
Certificate of Completion available upon request
Learning outcomes
After participating in this eCourse, you will:
- Gain experience using some of the best apps available and understand how they enable learning
- Learn how to evaluate and review mobile apps
- Learn how tablets complement laptops, and how their capabilities are creating new learning opportunities
- Learn how apps are being used by people with special needs, and where to find additional resources for learning more
- Receive guidance for creating your own app guides, offering workshops, and advising colleagues
In this 5-week eCourse, you’ll learn about the most useful apps available on tablet and mobile devices and how they can be applied in your library to create the best learning experiences for your patrons and students.
Mobile apps are empowering for people of all ages and abilities. Contrary to the popular idea that apps are only useful for “consumption,” the best apps are being used effectively as tools to enable learning and knowledge creation. In this eCourse, Nicole Hennig will show you how to incorporate apps as learning tools at your library.
eCourse Outline
Week 1 – E-Reading
The Apps
- Book reading
- Magazine reading
- Apps for Reading PDFs, web pages, and news feeds
- Individual book apps
Readings & Discussion
- Readings about e-reading & future of the book
- Your thoughts on the readings (discussion forum)
- Optional app review assignment
Week 2 – Productivity & Writing
The Apps
- Productivity
- Cloud storage, passwords, to do lists, notes
- Handwriting, speech recognition, scanning, barcodes
- Writing & Presenting
- Word processing, spreadsheets, slides
- More presentation apps
Readings & Discussion
- Readings about security, writing, mobile apps in academia
- Your thoughts on the readings (discussion forum)
- Optional app review assignment
Week 3 – Reference
The Apps
- Dictionaries, encyclopedias
- Unit converters, maps, languages
- Specialized reference apps
- Subscription databases & citations
Readings & Discussion
- Readings about jailbreaking, platforms, & mobile web
- Apple’s iOS Human Interface Guidelines
- Your thoughts on the readings (discussion forum)
- Optional app review assignment
Week 4 – Multimedia
The Apps
- Art viewing
- Art creation
- Photography and photo editing
- Music listening
- Music creation
- Video viewing and editing
Readings & Discussion
- Readings about technology & children
- Your thoughts on the readings (discussion forum)
- Optional app review assignment
Week 5 – Accessibility & More
Accessibility features of mobile devices
Readings & Discussion
- Readings about assistive technology
- Your thoughts on the readings (discussion forum)
Idea generation assignment
- Ideas for using apps in library programs & services
- Apps that wow
How this eCourse Works
The eCourse begins on June 5, 2017. Your participation will require approximately five to six hours a week, at times that fit your schedule. All activities take place on the website, and you will be expected to:
- Read, listen to or view online content
- Post to online discussion boards
- Complete weekly assignments or activities
Instructor Nicole Hennig will monitor discussion boards regularly during the five-week period, lead group discussions, and will also answer individual questions. All interaction will take place on the eCourse site, which will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s recommended that students log into the site on the first day of class or within a few days for an overview of the content and to begin the first lesson.
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more on mobile apps in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=mobile+apps
IMS list of mobile apps for education
(please enter your apps of preference)
If you need additional information, pls do not hesitate to contact us
If you have additional informatin and/or experience with any of these apps, pls do share on this blog entry.
http://www.teachthought.com/apps-2/10-apps-for-more-organized-project-based-learning/
Please check also our old IMS blog postings:
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims/2013/01/29/your-list-of-mobile-apps-for-ipad-andor-android-and-windows/
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims/2013/10/22/7-important-traits-of-a-great-mobile-learning-app/
Fundamental Teacher Apps
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims/2013/10/24/whiteboard-screencasting-apps-please-enter-your-choices-and-suggestions/
Please have a list of free and SCSU hosted resources for lecture capturing:
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims/2013/10/31/mnscu-mediaspace-aka-kaltura/
http://media4.stcloudstate.edu
http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html
Other free, shareware and paid sources in our former IMS blog entry:
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims/2013/10/24/whiteboard-screencasting-apps-please-enter-your-choices-and-suggestions/
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/
A Resource of educational web tools and mobile apps for teachers and educators