With the advent of the digital age, it is not uncommon to find apps making their presence felt in every domain – be it education, shopping, news or entertainment. In fact, a comScore Inc., report maintains that "multi-platform usage has increased drastically between 2013 and 2014, among every generation." Testifying to the plethora of apps is the fact that they are preferred and versatile enough to seamlessly cater to the needs of a varied and demanding audience. Not just that, given the advances made by technology, one can also create different types of apps -- the native, the hybrid and even the web – that promises flexibility across devices, seamless user experience, ease of access, affordable costs, no specific training and minimal loss of information for an audience that is perpetually on the go.
However, given such a diverse spectrum that is available today, how does one choose the right e-learning solution or a learning app? Learning needs differ from individual to individual. In fact, learning itself can be self-paced, social, mobile, instructor-led, game-based, video-based, simulation-dependent, so why should the apps be uniform? In order to synchronize learning needs with adaptive learning solutions it is important to select the app that fits your requirements. While native apps and other learning solutions can be expensive to create, the web apps remain most preferred because of the low costs incurred in development and maintenance.
Apart from these considerations, here are five other factors that influence the choice of app for learning:
Choice of learning material, types of content and learners: eLearning itself comprises many types of content and each of these is based on the types of learners and their needs. So, while curriculum mapping tools should enable relevance and specificity of curriculum with learners' needs and roles, it should also impart knowledge, critical skills and hold learners' attention. Custom eLearning development should also create engaging content and eLearning authoring tools should use techniques creatively to offer enriching and motivating learning experiences. Often eLearning course builders need to foster interactivity with users to enable sustained engagements and advance learning and this is where custom eLearning course development can successfully reflect learners' interests and needs, enable better tracking of learners' progress and performance. This is where the choice of app becomes critical. Video files – part of content delivery network solutions -- are usually big in size and often take time to download. However, these can be easily delivered when packaged in a preloaded app that should be either native or hybrid since a web app may not be a great choice. In the event of apps being used simply to enable research or offer updates, one may use a hybrid or a web app.Mode of access – online or offline: Often it is not just e-learning development services but performance support – in fact, just in time performance support -- which one delivers through a learning management system app. In such cases, the app may be native or hybrid. So, users can access information on their devices either when they are in traveling or waiting – basically, when they are offline and on the move. Such apps enable them to download the content initially by default or gain access through a Wi-Fi connection later. Given the multiple devices used to access information, often safety and compliance issues come to the fore. Having an app that not only imparts learning but also trains students with regard to compliance regulations, helps keep the environment protected and aligned with best governance practices.Maximizing device competencies while being easy to maintain: Given the proliferation of mobile and hand held devices of varying sizes, it is important to factor in screen sizes and landscape or portrait modes when creating learning apps. Also, it is imperative to understand not just the innate capabilities of devices but also their limitations. Different devices impact the output differently and their sets of specific in-built browsers exercise some influence here too. Take the instance of the Internet Explorer on Windows phones which still does not allow multiple browsers or pop-ups to open. Native apps are highly recommended if users need to explore the inherent capabilities of devices. These apps enable one to leverage the camera, microphone, compass, global positioning systems and other hardware. However, with the Android and iOS platforms and Windows and Blackberry phones coming into play, creating four types of mobile apps and maintaining them is easier said than done. Therefore, a single code base enables greater adaptability and ease of accessing learning management apps across devices without specific training and at affordable costs.Personal experiences and usability: If one factors in the use of animations and heavy graphics in the custom eLearning solutions that are preponderant today, then, one automatically veers toward the choice of native apps. These are known for their smooth functioning, few disruptions and speed. Hence, one's experiences with such apps are better. On the other hand, it is important to understand the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) culture prevalent today. To offer a seamless user experience for users who may begin learning on their smartphones but finally veer toward their desktops, it is imperative for the selected app to be adaptable and geared for not just today's devices but also those of tomorrow. More importantly, navigations within the app, the interface itself and the menu items should be designed such that the user is able to access input that he wants when he wants it and the way in which he wants it.Variety of target devices: Devices having different operating systems can be a challenging prospect when creating an app. Yet, it is imperative to offer a seamless user experience. This is especially true in case of BYOD policy. In such contexts, it is best to use web or hybrid apps to offer eLearning tools and technologies else one stands to lose potential target audience. This is why creating apps should incorporate a critical element known as responsive design. However, if educational institutions provide their students with the requisite devices to access information, then, it is easier to move ahead with native apps. Often, when encouraging BYOD, native apps may proliferate but these mandate upgrading every time the operating systems are upgraded. This can be costly, difficult to track and maintain and may impact the app's functioning.Conclusion
The age of assimilating learning through apps is here. But the wide variety of choice available does not simplify matters. Choosing the right learning app is completely dependent on a proper analysis of learners' needs and the nature of the target audience along with the ways in which they collaborate and interact with each other. Apps that offer a social element in the form of discussion forums, content sharing, and chat rooms may help enhance information sharing and collaboration thereby increase the numbers and frequencies of engagements within the user community.
Apps that allow users to upload content they have assembled in the form of audio-visual files, documents and others in a compatible format are also equally likely – against the backdrop of responsive design – to become more popular. Having the bandwidth to access learning apps on handheld devices, albeit still in its infancy, is definitely being thought about today and it is critical as a factor since it paves the way forward for more work in creating apps that can be accessed both via the online and offline modes.
Yet another critical aspect is incorporating apps with content that mould themselves to the parameters of the individual devices, their screen resolutions while formatting themselves accordingly. Implementing an app that has incorporated all these considerations can not only streamline the development process but also make it more effective while according a superlative learning experience.
It is clear then, that no one size or type of app fits all learning needs. The factors impacting the decision and the ultimate choice vary and need to be understood in combination rather than in isolation of each other, but more importantly, in the context of what use the apps will be put to and who the target audience is. For further details on the bespoke services, visit impelsyslearningsolutions.com
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