Individuals within my generation – and older – learned a significant amount of information when first arriving on a college campus. That information had less to do with class content than it had to do with how to get from the dorm to the next class; what time meals were served in specific cafeterias; how to find study groups; the layout of the library and the best way to search for books among the stacks.
Technology has taken the college experience to a whole new level. As this video from Blackboard (News - Alert) demonstrates, the possibilities from mobile learning are virtually endless. And, considering 75 percent of students have a smart phone – a number that is projected to increase to 100 percent in the next two years – mobile communications are essential on numerous levels.
In working with Blackboard, Northwestern University was able to create its own app for the iPhone and the BlackBerry (News - Alert). The University knew its mobile strategy had to involve handheld devices. They also knew the resulting technology would have to be engaging and fun, but also useful in their mission
Mobile Central from Blackboard was used to build iPhone (News - Alert) and BlackBerry apps and direct web mobile presence. Everything the student needs to know they can access through the app. Students can access events, schedules, calendars, maps, library information. Information on the go is essential for these students and they now have it at their fingertips.
Users will often move to the smartphone to use instead of the PC. Key to launch of this app was working with Blackboard. The University was impressed that the timeframe was 9.5 weeks from contact signing to app launch. Now, the institution is reaching younger students and alumni through this app.
Blackboard Mobile enables educational institutions to go mobile with interactive teaching and learning experiences that engage students and faculty across a variety of popular platforms, including Android (News - Alert), BlackBerry, iPhone and the mobile web. Users can rely on their mobile device to access courses, content and organizations instantly, for a better overall experience.
Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Stefania Viscusi
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