This document discusses developing a mobile application curriculum that allows for authentic and personalized learning experiences. It recommends choosing a platform like Android or iOS based on resources and aligning tools with classroom goals. The curriculum would involve students learning skills like design, coding, and debugging through project-based units where they plan and create their own mobile applications. Examples are provided of student groups taking graphic design and conceptual approaches to create apps that address real-world problems. Benefits for students include developing skills in areas like layout, programming, and applying their work to actual devices.

1. Developing a Mobile Application Curriculum
Which Empowers Authentic & Personalized
Learning Experiences
Daniel Downs
Winchester Public Schools
BHCC/NECC
danieldownsphotography@gmail.com
www.projectbasedlearningonline.com

2. Why Mobile App
Curriculum?
 Planning (Context, Content &
User Interface Design Of
Application)
 Graphic Design/Layout Skills
(icons, buttons)
 Coding/Programming
Language Skills (HTML, CSS,
Action Script 3.0 , Java)
 Real World Application To
Devices & Markets (Google
Play, App Store)
On the right a student shows his
children's game on a Motorola
Zoom tablet.

3. Current Popular
Platforms
 App Inventor(Android)
http://beta.appinventor.mit.edu
 Android SDK/Eclipse IDE (Open
Source, Java,Android)
 PhoneGap (HTML/CSS Based,
Integrates With
Dreamweaver,Android,IOS)
 MDS AppLaud Eclipse
Plugin extends the Android
Development Tools and
PhoneGap framework to provide a
comprehensive IDE for Android
development
http://www.mobiledevelopersolutions.com/home/start
 Flash (Adobe Software, Action
script 3.0,Android,IOS)
 Xcode (Mac)

4. Curriculum/Instruction
al Strategies
 Authentic Learning Experiences
Professionals In The Classroom
High Level Project Conceptualization
 Project/Problem Based
Long Range Projects/Phased Instruction
Variety of Approaches To Addressing Needs of Project
 Collaborative
Group Work/ Skill Fluency Building/Project Ownership
Team Building & Leadership Skills
 Problem Solving
21 Century Connections
st
Cross Curricular Connections
Project Example:
On the right is a Photoshop Planning Graphic.
This is used to help students plan layout, color
schemes, user click streams and button design.

5. A Review Of 2 Group Authentic
Learning Approaches With
Mobile Applications
Designing, Implementing
Technology & Testing A Mobile
Application Project
 Group 1:The Graphic Design Approach
*Highly Visual Based
*Priority On Interactivity
*Addressed Authentic Question As A
Team
Group 1 Presentation
Group 1 App Video
 Group 2:The High Conceptualization
Approach:
*High Project Conceptualization
*Variety Of Approaches(Skill Areas)
*Addressed Real World Needs With
Technology
Group 2 Presentation
Group 2 App Video

6. 3 Strategies For Aligning
App Curriculum In Your
Setting
 Choose A Platform
(Android/IOS, Windows) Based
On Resources & Current
Curriculum Alignment
-Web Development or Programming Base?
-PC or Mac?
-Web or Native Apps(App in browser
or added to a device and downloaded)
 Align Tools With Classroom
Level Goals
- Elementary, High School
- Testing Tools( Devices, Platforms,
Skill/Learning Level)
 Develop A Unit With Open
Source Tools
- Pair with a web development or business based
unit.

7. Direct Student
Benefits & Outcomes
 Create Hypermedia
Experiences
 Curriculum of Design,
Implement and
Debug( Project Based)
 Game Design/Layout Skills
 Real World Application Of
Projects
 Curriculum easily modified for
learners of all levels
 Students motivated through
ownership of their projects.

8. Conclusions
 Choose a platform based on
your students skill level and
your resources.
 Develop curriculum around a
process of learning skills and 1.Design
apply them to authentic 2.Implementation
projects
 Develop student projects ideas
which include planning,
integrating and testing with
technology with real world
consequences.
 Become aware of the variety of
specific technologies and 3.Debugging & Testi
4.Adding To A Device
API’s (Application
Programming Interface) which
enable exciting app creation
with different tools.