Mobility has been widely embraced by businesses in multiple industries for its potential to improve collaboration and enhance productivity. And while education has been a little slower on the draw, colleges and universities have a lot to gain from mobile engagement, including the following :
1. Campus Safety Updates
Student safety is a top priority of any learning institution, which is why it’s number one on this list. Just as Google Maps can automatically alert mobile users of weather alerts, AMBER alerts and other emergencies, campuses should have the ability to immediately notify students in the event of an emergency. Inversely, students should have a fast, immediate way to anonymously report adverse events or suspicious activity to campus authorities. By reaching out to a campus community via mobile alerts, educational institutions can increase the likelihood of having the message received in a timely manner.
2. News and Campus Event Notifications
Automatic alerts and notifications can also be used to inform students about campus events that might interest them such as guest panels, book signings, music and art performances, and more. These updates may come in the form of timely news bites (i.e., short PDFs or documents that list details of events), but can also be set up to automatically show on calendars. The trick is to identify the mobile engagement methods that work best for your student body and then implement them with the assistance of a mobile application builder.
3. On-the-Fly Creation of, and Access to, Course Content
The ability to create and publish content on-the-fly from a single mobile device means instructors can now do all of the following:
- Post assignments.
- Circulate reference material with hundreds of students.
- Update course syllabi.
- Share class cancellation notices, changes to office hours, etc.
Students can then access this material via desktop and laptop, as well as tablet and smartphone. This makes it easier for students who may be on a long bus ride or waiting at an airport terminal to get started on required reading.
4. Outreach to Former and Future Students
Educational institutions have a lot to gain from the ability to cater mobile content specifically to former and future students. Alumni, for instance, may be more partial to becoming donors or guest speakers at their alma matter if they’re signed up for a weekly newsletter that can be easily accessed through an intuitive application. Likewise, applicants and accepted applicants who are on the fence will have a fast and easy engagement portal with your school. All it takes to gain an audience with prospects is for one of them to reach into his or her pocket and tap on the icon for your institution’s app.
5. A Better Learning Experience
Smartphones can be powerful engagement tools for instructors and campus administrators.
Combined, all of the above features lead to a safer, smarter and more collaborative learning experience for students. Improving education through technology has always been a core focus for Faronics. With the latest offering – Faronics Campus Affairs – colleges, universities, trade schools and other educational institutions, now have a way to flesh out a high-functioning mobile intranet by building their own custom mobile engagement app.
To learn more, visit the Campus Affairs web page, or contact Faronics today.
