Apps
While tablet and smart phone manufacturers are churning forward at a breakneck pace, making a fortune on humanity’s device-lust, the compelling back-story is what these devices can do – the proliferation of Apps. And while addiction and burn-out on the distracting nature of most apps is already big news, there is also a rapid emergence of meaningful, productive and educational apps. The app-world as a resource for learning is huge.
Opportunity Statement
It may seem like the design of successful Apps is pure chance, and less likely than the lottery. However, as app-capable devices permeate learning environments the opportunity arises to design apps that are deliberated coupled in effective ways with every dimension of the learning experience.
Prediction Source(s)
Gartner – Media Tablets and Beyond
Gartner – Mobile-Centric Applications
Posted in: Emerging Markets Poll
avninder 10:11 am on September 5, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
A well designed app can provide easy to find up-to-date information on the go.
grzesko 9:42 pm on September 5, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Apps have a lot of potential but I believe they are still in the growth stage with future apps being less of a gimmick and providing more useful learning functions.
jhodi 4:27 pm on September 6, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Apps allow students anytime, anywhere learning experiences that can be engaging, yet extremely informative.
kstackhouse 7:38 am on September 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
This is an area with unlimited potential. Well designed Apps in education (games, reference, course material) have a huge market. Since they are at times hard to come by it would be interesting to try to develop one.
sonofpat 8:18 am on September 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Apps are a part of what I consider to be the most significant technology today that is mobile technology. Even as the field is evolving much can still be done in terms of everyday activities.Apps for basic communication such as chatting,e-mail, youtube and social networking are already mature enough to be used in the educational field. This means we do not need to wait for the next big educational app before we start to exploit the power of apps in our teaching. As a matter of fact no is the best time to jump into the apps world follow Jen’s example (https://blogs.ubc.ca/etec522sept12/2012/09/05/nice-to-meet-you/). Get a mobile device and make yourself comfortable…….
Eva Ziemsen 8:57 pm on September 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I am a big fan of apps and believe they have great potential in education, especially media education. I believe there is room for many more useful apps in the context of media education. I am constantly searching for apps that can fulfill niche needs in film production, for example. I am interested in what it takes to design and develop an app, as well as, how to pitch and market an app.
Jonathan 12:37 am on September 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I love apps. But I find it’s too difficult to find the good ones. Even when they are reviewed there needs to be something to help great apps rise to the top. If I was a developer that created a great app, getting traction for it would be difficult. The App Store is cluttered with a lot of useless apps. But with that being said, there is a lot of potential — and finding them needs to be easier for teachers.
Mike Rae 2:01 am on September 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Apps could allow learners to access knowledge when the moment strikes them; best time to learn anything is when you want to.
manny 9:14 am on September 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The phenomenon of Apps has taken the mobile marketplace by storm. I believe earlier this year the 25 billionth App was downloaded. Unfortunately, it seems as this marketplace is so saturated that it is tough to find a good educational App. There should be a free trial period for a certain amount of time as of right now you must purchase the App to experiment with it. Great marketing from a venture standpoint.
jenbarker 11:39 pm on September 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Apps used to create, collaborate and communicate are great. But apps (and there are a ton of the out there) that are simply skill and drill have no place in today’s classroom. Many teachers are proud of using these apps in their classrooms and tote that they are 21st Century teachers. I would argue that they have simply taken the old, spruced it up and made it new. Using these types of apps does not even come close to what I define as 21st Century Learning.