Developing a mobile application curriculum which empowers authentic
1. Daniel DownsDaniel Downs
Winchester Public SchoolsWinchester Public Schools
Adjunct BHCC/NECCAdjunct BHCC/NECC
@danieldowns@danieldowns
danieldownsphotography@gmail.comdanieldownsphotography@gmail.com
www.projectbasedlearningonline.comwww.projectbasedlearningonline.com
Developing a Mobile Application CurriculumDeveloping a Mobile Application Curriculum
Which Empowers Authentic & PersonalizedWhich Empowers Authentic & Personalized
Learning ExperiencesLearning Experiences
2. Why Mobile App Curriculum?Why Mobile App Curriculum?
► Planning (Context, Content &Planning (Context, Content &
User Interface Design OfUser Interface Design Of
Application)Application)
► Graphic Design/Layout SkillsGraphic Design/Layout Skills
(icons, buttons)(icons, buttons)
► Coding/ProgrammingCoding/Programming
Language Skills (HTML, CSS,Language Skills (HTML, CSS,
Action Script 3.0 , Java)Action Script 3.0 , Java)
► Real World Application ToReal World Application To
Devices & Markets (GoogleDevices & Markets (Google
Play, App StorePlay, App Store))
On the right a student shows hisOn the right a student shows his
children's game on a Motorolachildren's game on a Motorola
Zoom tablet.Zoom tablet.
3. Current Popular PlatformsCurrent Popular Platforms
► App Inventor(Android)App Inventor(Android)
http://beta.appinventor.mit.eduhttp://beta.appinventor.mit.edu
► Android SDK/Eclipse IDE (OpenAndroid SDK/Eclipse IDE (Open
Source, Java,Android)Source, Java,Android)
► PhoneGap (HTML/CSS Based,PhoneGap (HTML/CSS Based,
Integrates WithIntegrates With
Dreamweaver,Android,IOS)Dreamweaver,Android,IOS)
► MDS MDS AppAppLaud EclipseLaud Eclipse
Plugin extends the AndroidPlugin extends the Android
Development Tools andDevelopment Tools and
PhoneGap framework to providePhoneGap framework to provide
a comprehensive IDE fora comprehensive IDE for
Android developmentAndroid development
http://www.mobiledevelopersolutions.com/home/starthttp://www.mobiledevelopersolutions.com/home/start
► Flash (Adobe Software, ActionFlash (Adobe Software, Action
script 3.0,Android,IOS)script 3.0,Android,IOS)
► Xcode (Mac)Xcode (Mac)
4. Curriculum/InstructionalCurriculum/Instructional
StrategiesStrategies
► Authentic Learning ExperiencesAuthentic Learning Experiences
Professionals In The ClassroomProfessionals In The Classroom
High Level Project ConceptualizationHigh Level Project Conceptualization
► Project/Problem BasedProject/Problem Based
Long Range Projects/Phased InstructionLong Range Projects/Phased Instruction
Variety of Approaches To Addressing Needs of ProjectVariety of Approaches To Addressing Needs of Project
► CollaborativeCollaborative
Group Work/ Skill Fluency Building/Project OwnershipGroup Work/ Skill Fluency Building/Project Ownership
Team Building & Leadership SkillsTeam Building & Leadership Skills
► Problem SolvingProblem Solving
2121stst
Century ConnectionsCentury Connections
Cross Curricular ConnectionsCross Curricular Connections
Project Example:Project Example:
On the right is a Photoshop Planning Graphic.On the right is a Photoshop Planning Graphic.
This is used to help students plan layout, color schemes,This is used to help students plan layout, color schemes,
user click streams and button design.user click streams and button design.
5. A Review Of 2 Group Authentic LearningA Review Of 2 Group Authentic Learning
Approaches With Mobile ApplicationsApproaches With Mobile Applications
Designing, ImplementingDesigning, Implementing
Technology & Testing ATechnology & Testing A
Mobile Application ProjectMobile Application Project
► Group 1:The Graphic Design ApproachGroup 1:The Graphic Design Approach
*Highly Visual Based*Highly Visual Based
*Priority On Interactivity*Priority On Interactivity
*Addressed Authentic Question As A Team*Addressed Authentic Question As A Team
Group 1 PresentationGroup 1 Presentation
Group 1 App VideoGroup 1 App Video
► Group 2:The High ConceptualizationGroup 2:The High Conceptualization
Approach:Approach:
*High Project Conceptualization*High Project Conceptualization
*Variety Of Approaches(Skill Areas)*Variety Of Approaches(Skill Areas)
*Addressed Real World Needs With*Addressed Real World Needs With
TechnologyTechnology
Group 2 PresentationGroup 2 Presentation
Group 2 App VideoGroup 2 App Video
6. 3 Strategies For Aligning App3 Strategies For Aligning App
Curriculum In Your SettingCurriculum In Your Setting
► Choose A PlatformChoose A Platform
(Android/IOS, Windows)(Android/IOS, Windows)
Based On Resources &Based On Resources &
Current Curriculum AlignmentCurrent Curriculum Alignment
-Web Development or Programming Base?-Web Development or Programming Base?
-PC or Mac?-PC or Mac?
-Web or Native Apps(App in browser-Web or Native Apps(App in browser
or added to a device and downloaded)or added to a device and downloaded)
► Align Tools With ClassroomAlign Tools With Classroom
Level GoalsLevel Goals
- Elementary, High School- Elementary, High School
- Testing Tools( Devices, Platforms,- Testing Tools( Devices, Platforms,
Skill/Learning Level)Skill/Learning Level)
► Develop A Unit With OpenDevelop A Unit With Open
Source ToolsSource Tools
- Pair with a web development or business based- Pair with a web development or business based
unit.unit.
7. Direct Student Benefits &Direct Student Benefits &
OutcomesOutcomes
► Create HypermediaCreate Hypermedia
ExperiencesExperiences
► Curriculum of Design,Curriculum of Design,
Implement andImplement and
Debug( Project Based)Debug( Project Based)
► Game Design/Layout SkillsGame Design/Layout Skills
► Real World Application OfReal World Application Of
ProjectsProjects
► Curriculum easily modifiedCurriculum easily modified
for learners of all levelsfor learners of all levels
► Students motivatedStudents motivated
through ownership of theirthrough ownership of their
projects.projects.
8. ConclusionsConclusions
► Choose a platform based onChoose a platform based on
your students skill level andyour students skill level and
your resources.your resources.
► Develop curriculum around aDevelop curriculum around a
process of learning skills andprocess of learning skills and
apply them to authenticapply them to authentic
projectsprojects
► Develop student projectsDevelop student projects
ideas which include planning,ideas which include planning,
integrating and testing withintegrating and testing with
technology with real worldtechnology with real world
consequences.consequences.
► Become aware of the varietyBecome aware of the variety
of specific technologies andof specific technologies and
API’s (ApplicationAPI’s (Application
Programming Interface) whichProgramming Interface) which
enable exciting app creationenable exciting app creation
with different tools.with different tools.
2.Implementation
3.Debugging & Test4.Adding To A Device
1.Design