2. Remember that students are your customers
If your main purpose is to engage your current students, you need to think like them. It is most important to design your approach from the outside in. Be sure to use language that makes sense to students and organize information around their natural area of questions and topics rather than organizing by institutional offices and silos.
As far as content, those new to the campus will most likely be interested in places to go on campus for various needs, what the local attractions are, the best places to eat and things going on around town.
Students closer to graduation may need a portal to explore internships or get advice on graduate schools. Using a mix of magazine-like articles, videos and interactive maps, or two-way communication helps keep people connected.
3. Design to delight
Plenty of colleges go mobile by simply putting a PDF replica of brochures on apps. It’s a start, but not a strategy for growing interest or increasing engagement. Do your best to implement interactive elements; for example, pop-ups, videos and Twitter feeds are crucial for optimal engagement and seem to connect best with our students. Be sure to take advantage of the technological capabilities out there.
The platform we use, Mag+, allows educators to “chunk” information and present it in sections, helping students learn in a more effective way.
In addition, the app takes advantage of the always-connected digital nature of the mobile device by adding new app-only features, like the ability to complete and email assignments to professors. Plus, it features up-to-date newsfeeds and athletic calendars, making it a living text that’s always up to date and a valuable app even for older students.
4. Use your student design talent
Tapping into your existing student base for the app development process for many reasons is key. By utilizing students from your school’s design (journalism, marketing, etc.) and technology programs, the process becomes more cost effective and ensures a higher quality product.
For instance, we used two Computer Science students to help us develop some of the interactive assignments and components. We also had current students consult with us on the layout, design, and functionality to ensure we were meeting their needs and increasing engagement with the text.
As your college moves to mobile, remember that the process should be as easy as possible and fun. The possibilities are endless and you don’t have to go too far off campus to find the talent and ideas you need to create an app that your whole school will love.
Dan Friedman is the Director of University 101 Programs at the University of South Carolina, where he provides leadership for four academic courses, including over 200 sections of the first-year seminar (UNIV 101). Dan is also an associated faculty member in the Higher Education Program in the Department of Education Leadership and Policies, where he teaches courses, advises students, and serves on Master’s theses. Dr. Friedman’s area of research has centered on the First-Year Experience and he has made numerous presentations and published several articles and monograph contributions on this topic.
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