The increasing popularity of smartphone among the teens has anticipated a new technology revolution within many educational institutions and universities all around the world. This is the beginning of a new reform of the educational system.
Small changes in education may have large social returns in health, wealth and well being. Hundreds of reforms are already being introduced into education system each and every year, but now with the advance in technology why not take advantage of it for the betterment of both institution and the students.
So why you need to adopt Mobile Technology for your university ?
Mobile makes learning more interactive, flexible and convenient
As per latest studies, rate of students using smartphones and tablets for academic purpose doubled in just one year.This is due to the reason that students finds mobile and tablet as a powerful learning tool which offer convenience, flexibility and interactivity.
This gives universities or institutions an intervening opportunity, to take advantage of students interests for tablets and mobiles in education through technology applications.
For providing real-time information
Universities can make use of new methodologies to create a personally tailored experience based on the latest learning methods, skills or interests. Universities or institutions can make use of mobile technology for providing real-time information on getting directions, getting information on campus events, for news alerts and social recommendations for their students.
Research intensive universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford university have already been involved in Mobile web development for a while. And some other forward thinking colleges are also utilising mobile technology by conducting new experiments like;
Rio Salado College introduced a data program called Rio Learn which can predict how good students can perform in the class depending on their past performance. Thus allowing for more informed course selection at the time of registration.
The University of Texas introduced a concept called vTRAC which allows professors to see how well a student answered the questions or assignments in real time from their own devices whether it be laptop, smartphone or tablet and from where.
Arizona State University has offered web based courses through eAdvisor that help students shape and personalize their learning experience. They even offer a facebook app that mines students profile to match with other students of similar interests to make friends within the university.
WVU school has introduced an app iWVU app that shows everything from athletics to shuttle bus info to their students.
Empowering Mobile Commerce
Mostly nowadays online shopping, bill payments and lot more are either done by means of mobile or tablet. Universities can take advantage of the power of this mobile commerce for making things easier for them and the students.
The famous university of Denver has partnered with Mocopay, a coffee shop to test mobile commerce on their campus. Also Stanford University has partnered with bling Tag stickers which charge students paypal accounts for any purchases made on campus.
For Creating a safer campus
The rise of mobile technology can empower students more than ever before, to report dangerous situations happening in and around campus and thus help remain safe from any harm. Many institutions and universities including the princeton university, has already implemented student body SMS alerts for emergency situations.
With the new apps like MyForce campus interface, we can get the detailed crime data report about the campus and the surrounding areas. So with Mobile technology, universities can now bring both real time knowledge and assurance to their students.
For Brand Reputation
Recently we have noticed a sudden proliferation on use of QR codes. We are definitely moving towards a digital world and QR codes are part of that expansion.
QR codes represent a combination of technology and advertising that focus on brand recognition. So Universities can make use of QR codes on campuses across the nation to create campus brand awareness initiates, video streaming, location based discounts and even for mobile payment option.
Also Branding can be done by means of social networking as well. Developing a strategy to share mobile activity on social medias can help your students, share what they are up to with their friends, mapping directly to the brand of your institution.
Take a look at some of the universities who have already adopted Mobile Technology
Stanford University
Stanford university has already implemented standard mobile apps that provide information on shuttle service times, events catalog and online directory to students. Apart from that, Stanford boasts a mobile learning environment program (SMILE), that allows student use their devices to create, collaborate and evaluate questions on educational topics.
Everest University
Everest university make use of mobile apps that enable students participate in class discussions, view grade and instructors comments and see upcoming course events. So it is both a calendar and a classroom.
Strayer University
Strayer’s mobile online app enables students to view their academic calendar, join class discussions and check out new assignments and grades. Videos are also available to view via the app, that brings in voices from alumni and faculties.
Mobile is the next imperative channel for all industries and educational industry is not an exception. Until we have minds which think about the future of our country, we cannot expect our future to be bright. So its time to foresee the future technology and take a step forward to adopt and experiment the mobile technology for your educational institution. Its never too late to do start something new.
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