Mobile Application Review Process
The mobile applications selected for this Instructional Design learning module came from a project in ETEC-647, Emerging Technologies: Mobile Learning, a graduate course taught by Dr. Grace in the Fall-2012 semester. My partner Grant Chartrand and I evaluated the applications as part of a semester long project which culminated in an iBook presentation. Essentially the iBook presentation acted as the prototype for this learning module. In this project we created a rubric on how to evaluate each application, and evaluated applications for hearing impaired, and speech and communicative impaired students.
Our project focused on Mac based mobile devices including the iPhone and iPad, and applications that worked on both devices. The choice of platform was decided upon because both of us had Mac devices and most of the class had them as well. Another area of focus was the cost of the mobile apps in question. Due to cost it was decided to focus on free or inexpensive applications. Besides being easy for a graduate student's budget, low cost applications also allow K-12 institutions to better afford such applications on a system wide basis. In the final phase of the project we were able to test out a higher end application due the generosity of Ted Conley, Owner and President of TapSpeak. Ted created these applications in response to his son having Autism.
The following is the (simple) rubric that was created to evaluate the mobile apps...
Our project focused on Mac based mobile devices including the iPhone and iPad, and applications that worked on both devices. The choice of platform was decided upon because both of us had Mac devices and most of the class had them as well. Another area of focus was the cost of the mobile apps in question. Due to cost it was decided to focus on free or inexpensive applications. Besides being easy for a graduate student's budget, low cost applications also allow K-12 institutions to better afford such applications on a system wide basis. In the final phase of the project we were able to test out a higher end application due the generosity of Ted Conley, Owner and President of TapSpeak. Ted created these applications in response to his son having Autism.
The following is the (simple) rubric that was created to evaluate the mobile apps...
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Customization | App offers no flexibility (settings cannot be altered) | App offers limited flexibility (e.g., volume, images | App offers more than one degree of flexibility to adjust (volume images) settings to meet user needs | App offers complete flexibility to alter settings (volume, images) to meet user needs |
User Interface (ease of use) | Users need constant supervision and/or assistance in order to use app | Users need to review how to use the app on more than one occasion | Users need to have a review how to use the app | Users can launch and navigate within the app independently |
User Motivation | Users avoid using the app or complains about the app | Users view the app as "more work" and may not use the app as intended | Users will use the app when directed or requested | Users are highly motivated to use the app and select it as their first choice from a selection of related choices of apps |
Sound | App has no sound | App has library of sounds | Users can record sounds | Users can record and save sounds and/or download sounds for future use |