Showing posts with label employability. Show all posts
Tuesday, 1 December 2015
Brookes apps in Moodle
This is an overview of how we are able to make some of our 'mobile' apps available to students directly from within Moodle.
The benefit to students is that they have an opportunity to utilise the rich functionality these apps have to offer even if they don't have a mobile device (or it is currently unavailable). This aligns with Brookes' drive to extend and improve accessibility.
Our mobile apps
The benefit to students is that they have an opportunity to utilise the rich functionality these apps have to offer even if they don't have a mobile device (or it is currently unavailable). This aligns with Brookes' drive to extend and improve accessibility.
Our mobile apps
Mobile apps are, generally, either:
- 'native' - written and built for a specific mobile platform (operating system), such as Apple's iOS
- 'hybrid' - written in a more generic way, these apps can be built for several different mobile platforms or
- 'web' - written for display in a mobile's web browser
Both 'native' and 'hybrid' apps require installation on the mobile device (downloaded from app stores) and can use features of the device that may be unavailable to 'web' apps.
To simplify development and maintenance, minimise multi-platform deployment effort and maximise functionality, we have chosen to make the majority of our apps 'hybrid' ones.
Hybrid apps
The program code files for these, like many web apps, are written using the standard web-based 'languages' of HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Additional functionality, such as the capability to receive notifications sent out by Brookes, is added by means of 'plugins' (of which there are different versions for each of the different platforms).
Unfortunately, limitations and differences still mean that the code files require some tailoring for each platform but this is far less effort than would be required to deploy separate native apps.
Brookes app 'BRISC' on Android
It is this similarity with web apps, and the limited tailoring required for each platform, that encouraged us to explore the possibility of also having 'browser-based' versions of those apps that could be modified to function without the features of mobile devices.
Browser-based apps
Whereas the code files for a hybrid mobile app are installed and 'hosted' on the device itself, the files for a browser-based version need to be hosted on a separate web server.
As OBIS didn't have a suitable public-facing web server for this it was decided - initially - to make use of our Moodle web server at ULCC. As a Moodle 'plugin' is simply a packaged set of files (normally executable scripts) that can be served-up to a browser, it was feasible (with negligible overhead in regard to either space or time) to include our code files within such a plugin.
'BRISC' in a browser
Although apps served in this way functioned perfectly, because the layouts had been designed for a small screen they were really unsuitable for use within a full-screen browser. As we didn't want to overhaul the designs to such a great extent, we tried apps both inside an HTML 'iframe' and a browser 'popup' window that were nearer to the proportions of a mobile screen.
'BRISC' in an iframe
'BRISC' in a popup
Having established that apps would display and function correctly within iframes, we needed to develop and host suitable web pages to 'embed' these iframes in. We chose to include these pages within a Moodle plugin because the overall page layout could be provided by Moodle and it would be a natural place for a student to find and use the apps.
'BRISC' in Moodle
Google App Engine
Due to the lead time to get our Moodle plugins updated it was decided to move the app code files themselves to another, more flexible, hosting solution.
Consequently, we developed a simple application on GAE that provides a 'front-end' to our app code files that are now hosted there instead of on Moodle. There has been no change to the Moodle pages themselves nor to the user experience.
The future...
Expect to see more great Brookes apps ported to Moodle/GAE!
Monday, 30 November 2015
BRISC Quick Start Guide
Continuing the overviews of our apps, here is BRISC (the “BRookes Individual Skills Catcher” app).
This has been developed in conjunction with the Faculty of Business but it could be invaluable to any Brookes student.
The app is designed to allow students to simply and quickly capture personal reminders of employability skills they have gained, inside or outside of their course, enabling easy recall for later use in job or placement interviews. These skills, a valuable resource, could otherwise be overlooked or forgotten.
How it works
Students access the app either directly from within Moodle (Brookes Apps -> BRISC) or by logging-in to a mobile version using their usual Brookes credentials. The relevant skill heading can then be selected either from the 'Brookes Attribute' or 'CBI/NUS' categories or from a full alphabetical list.
Previous entries can be viewed or new entries can be added. New entries will have a title, a text body (what to remember) and, if required, a URL link to a further explanation or video. If relevant, a new entry can also be associated with one of the student's current modules.
Note: the app uses standard Moodle Blogs that can also be accessed from any PC, mobile device or Chromebook. Be aware that any entries made directly via Moodle itself would need to be flagged as 'draft' (private) to ensure confidentiality.
Note: the app uses standard Moodle Blogs that can also be accessed from any PC, mobile device or Chromebook. Be aware that any entries made directly via Moodle itself would need to be flagged as 'draft' (private) to ensure confidentiality.
The mobile app can be downloaded for free from Google Play, the Apple App Store or the Windows Store.
Logging-in
Login is done with Brookes staff or student credentials, as for Moodle (staff or student number).
Logging-in
Categories
Once logged in a user will see the possible selection methods. They may then choose a skill category or a list of all skills.Skills
Entries
At this point the user can either select a previous entry to view or opt to add a new entry.
New Entry
New entries will have a title, a text body (what to remember) and, if required, a URL link to a further explanation or video. If relevant, a new entry can also be associated with one of the student's current modules.
Please note: mobile users will remain logged into the app unless they use the Logout button.
Video - BRISC Trailer
Produced by the Faculty of Business
Video - BRISC Tutorial
Produced by the Faculty of Business
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