USDLA

  • About
    • About
    • Board of Directors
    • USDLA Bylaws
    • Advisory Board
    • Higher Education Certification
    • Contact
  • Memberships
  • Chapters
    • State Chapter Fees
    • Chapter and Member Benefits
    • State Chapters
  • Global Partners
  • Resources
    • Video Assets
    • USDLA Podcasts
    • Members Area: Distance Learning Resources
    • Archived Research
    • Blogs
    • Books/Articles
    • Conversations@USDLA
    • Distance/Online Information
    • Public Policy
    • Education Journals
    • Newsletter
    • USDLA Quarterly Journals
    • Careers
  • Events
    • 2023 National Conference
    • 2023 NDLW
    • Friday Webinar Series
    • Annual Legislative Policy Forum
  • Sponsorships
  • Certification
    • Higher Education
    • Professional Learning
  • Awards
    • 2023 International Distance Learning Awards
    • 2022 International Distance Learning Awards
    • 2021 International Distance Learning Awards
    • 2020 International Distance Learning Awards
    • 2019 International Awards
    • 2018 International Awards
    • 2017 International Awards
    • 2016 International Awards
    • 2015 International Awards
    • 2014 International Awards
    • The Minority Broadband Initiative
    • Chapter Events
    • Archived Events
      • 2022 National Distance Learning Week
      • 2022 National Conference
      • 2021 IFWE – International Forum for Women in eLearning
      • 2021 National Distance Learning Week
      • 2021 National Conference
      • 2020 International Forum for Women in E-Learning (IFWE)
      • 2020 National Distance Learning Week
      • 2019 National Conference
      • CLO Symposium Spring 2019
      • 2018 Water Cooler Chat Series
      • IFWE 2018 Archive
      • 2018 Government Learning Technology Symposium (GLTS)
      • 2018 National Conference
      • 2017 National Conference
      • 2016 National Conference
      • 2017 Policy Forum
      • 2016 Policy Forum
      • IFWE 2016
      • 2016 Webinar Series
  • Member Login
You are here: Home / General News / Mobile Apps to Support and Enhance Online Courses

September 25, 2015

Mobile Apps to Support and Enhance Online Courses

How can specific mobile apps support and enhance online courses? From LMS apps, organizational apps, and university apps to apps specifically design to support a unique course, explore the variety of ways mobile learning can enhance online learning.

This cross listed blog post shares links and resources for using mobile apps in three areas of online learning: Learning, Connection to the University, School or Organization, and Connection to the Instructor.

Learning

  • Responsive design of your LMS
  • LMS Mobile version:
    • Blackboard Mobile Learner
    • Canvas
    • Moodle Mobile, etc.
  • Teaching students tools to help them stay organized, for example:
    • myHomework Student Planner
    • Evernote
    • Easy Bib
  • Group interaction supported by mobile apps such as:
    • Facebook closed groups
    • Evernote collaborative notebooks
    • Groupboard
    • GoogleDrive
  • Twitter for reporting in activities for jogging class
  • Poll everywhere for polling in class students and online students; can embed in your LMS content as well
  • Practice apps such as:
    • Kaplan Financial Practice App
    • Medical Terms
    • Anatomy Word Search
    • Exam Vocabulary Builder
  • Quizlet to create your own practice for students or for students to create their own
  • Apps that teach such as:
    • Duolingo for languages
    • 2 Minute English
    • Real Business English
    • Craftsy
  • Students creating projects on their phone
    • Creating ads in a marketing class
    • Sharing a video introduction of themselves
    • Recording a skit on their cell phone
    • iPadio: phone in and record audio up to 60 minutes

Connection to your University, School or Organization

  • Most university apps have calendars, catalogs, news, etc. Some examples:
    • iSheffield School of Aeronautics
    • HawkTools
    • Hello App Camp from Drake University
    • My ATSU Mobile
    • Apps that help students live around campus:
      • Bongo for bus schedule
      • Park Mobile for campus parking
      • University of Iowa Residence Hall Laundry app
    • What about online learners? Should we have apps that do special things for online learners? Should there be a separate app for on campus students and a different one for online students?
    • Athletics apps:
      • Hawkeye Sports Gameday Live
      • DU Bulldogs
      • Do online learners feel connected to the sports teams of their institution?

Connection to the Instructor

  • Videoconferencing apps such as:
    • Skype
    • Zoom, etc.
    • Students can schedule one-on-one with the instructor; or attend class via their mobile device
  • Texting students reminders:
    • WhatsApp
    • Remind.com
  • Deliver content via apps such as iTunes U, YouTube, etc.

Additional Reading

  • Aderinoye, R., Ojokheta, K., & Olojede, A. (2007). Integrating Mobile Learning into Nomadic Education Programme in Nigeria: Issues and perspectives. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 8(2). Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/347/919
  • Ally, M., & Samaka, M. (2013). Open education resources and mobile technology to narrow the learning divide. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 14(2), 14-27. Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1530/2479
  • Han, I., & Han, S. (2014). Adoption of the mobile campus in a cyber university. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 15(6). Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1950/3132
  • Hsu, Y., & Ching, Y. (2012). Mobile microblogging: Using Twitter and mobile devices in an online course to promote learning in authentic contexts. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 13(4), 211-227. Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1222/2313
  • Iqbal, S., & Qureshi, I. (2012). M-learning adoption: A perspective from a developing country. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 13(3), 147-164. Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1152/2213
  • Kenny, R., Van Neste-Kenny, J., Burton, P., Park, C., & Qayyum, A. (2012). Using self-efficacy to assess the readiness of nursing educators and students for mobile learning. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 13(3), 277-296. Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1221/2261
  • Ozdamar Keskin, N., & Kuzu, A. (2015). Development and testing of a m-learning system for the professional development of academics through design-based action research. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 16(1). Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1613/3194
  • Park, Y. (2011). A pedagogical framework for mobile learning: Categorizing educational applications of mobile technologies into four types. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 12(2), 78-102. Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/791/1699
  • Shin, W., & Kang, M. (2015). The use of a mobile learning management system at an online university and its effect on learning satisfaction and achievement. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 16(3). Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1984/3345
  • Young, S., & Hung, H. (2014). Coping with the challenges of open online education in Chinese societies in the mobile era: NTHU OCW as a case study. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 15(3). Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1742/2908

Author: Janine Lim, Associate Dean for Online Higher Education, Andrews University; Janine serves on the USDLA Board of Directors. Read more on her blog.

Filed Under: General News

Join the USDLA today!

Become A Member

Email Newsletter

Thanks for signing up!

Sign up to get interesting news and updates delivered to your inbox.

By submitting this form, you are granting: USDLA, 840 First Street, NE , 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20002, United States, https://usdla.org permission to email you. You may unsubscribe via the link found at the bottom of every email. (See our Email Privacy Policy for details.) Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

Search

Recent Posts

  • Best Practices in Education for School Readiness & Community Planning
  • Learning From the Resiliency of HBCUs Through the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Interview with Eric Jones
  • Covid 19 Pandemic and Distance Learning Today
  • Suggestions for distance learning resources.
  • Memberships
    • Membership Levels
    • Sponsorships
    • Job Opportunities
  • Chapters
    • Chapter and Member Benefits
    • State Chapters
    • Chapter Tool Kit
    • Chapter Events
    • Global Partners
  • Distance Learning Resources
    • USDLA Quarterly Journals
  • Events
    • 2022 National Conference
  • Awards
    • 2023 International Distance Learning Awards
  • About
    • President’s Welcome
    • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact

Search

Copyright © 2023 USDLA · All Rights Reserved.