Apps for Teachers

Technology has changed teaching trends significantly. Today, the focus has shifted to STEM education and more emphasis is being given to STEM classes. The educator has also become the student and requires more than just a workbook to teach and motivate students to learn and understand using technology.

Just like every sphere of life has an app, there are numerous apps available specifically for teachers to engage students, improve student behavior and make classroom sessions more interesting and fruitful.

Here are 5 must-have apps that all teachers should have to get desired results in the classroom.

1. The ClassDojo App

The ClassDojo app acts as a classroom tool that provides techniques to bring quick changes to classroom behavior. One good thing about this app is that it allows the teacher to capture and generate date related to student behavior and share with parents as well as administrators.

Teachers also can use the app to give feedback and encourage or motivate students. The app allows teachers to submit and view data and reports related to student behavior.

https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/classdojo/id552602056?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.classdojo.android&hl=en

2. Edmodo

The Edmodo is a wonderful support aid for teachers. This amazing app helps teachers improve their level of interaction with students, even when both are not physically present in the school. The Edmodo app lets teachers and students enjoy secure classroom discussions and easy sharing of assignments. Besides these features, the app lets teachers upload important files related to projects and lessons that students can use and refer to.

https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/edmodo/id378352300?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fusionprojects.edmodo&hl=en

3. Remind 101

The Remind101 app helps teachers send announcements and notices to parents and students. Although a common functionality, this app has a unique feature – it prioritizes privacy.

The app lets the teacher hide their contact details and/or identity when sharing information with parents and students. In addition, the personal details of recipients too are kept hidden. The ‘privacy’ feature offered by the Remind 101 app makes it different and more effective compared to apps that offer the same features and functionalities.

https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/remind-safe-classroom-communication/id522826277?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.remind101&hl=en

4. Math Formulas

It is quite difficult to remember all the math formulae related to different equations and mathematical concepts. Not remembering the formula in a classroom setting can send teachers into a tizzy. This is where the Math Formulas app comes to the rescue.

It is a compilation of innumerable math formulae. These formulae cover almost every topic in math, from trigonometry to geometry and algebra to matrices. However, this particular app is available only for Android devices, but you can get similar apps for iOS devices, as well.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nsc.mathformulas.lite&hl=en

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/maths-formulas-free/id645431389?mt=8

5. Geddit

The Geddit app is designed to help teachers identify students’ weaknesses and strengths. This amazing app lets teachers understand a student’s attitude to learning and their ability to understand different aspects of a lesson.

This interaction through the app allows the teacher to cater to the individual needs of students, conduct a one-on-one session for better comprehension and assist students get confident to progress to the next level.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/geddit-student/id827542924?mt=8

If you are an educator, these are the 5 apps you should have on your smart device to improve interaction with and make learning fun for your students.

Mobile app testing for iOS

After you have finished developing the mobile app for iOS, you have to test it to ensure all the functionalities and capabilities are working properly. This will ensure two critical successes –

1. The app will pass Apple’s stringent app store release guidelines
2. Post release, the app will have better chances of success.

You have the option of testing the app in the iOS simulator and your own handheld device, but it makes sense to run the app on compatible devices and in real world conditions rather than simulated ones. This will ensure your app works perfectly when you launch it for users.

Beta Mobile App Testing

If you want to run your mobile app in actual conditions, you have to perform beta testing. While you can use the iOS simulator to run preliminary tests, remember the simulator doesn’t run similar threads as the devices and unfortunately Xcode tends to disable watchdog timers.

The only way to truly test the app is to use it in different devices and get actual users to use it. As a result, you will have an accurate picture of the performance of the app and how it behaves in the real world in terms of looks, navigation and functionalities.

Using Beta Testers

In the Developer Account, create an ad-hoc provisioning profile. You can get the instructions for this from the iOS Developer Library. Ensure the testers use the latest firmware for the device and get them to perform usability testing. Once they finish testing, ask for a comprehensive test report.

The beta testing phase costs money. So, do create a budget for it. On the other hand, if funds are tight, you may want to find testers through sites, like TaskRabbit and Craigslist. It is important to screen potential testers to shortlist the ones you want.

Self-Testing

There are many app developers, who prefer performing the tests themselves on multiple iOS-enabled devices. However self-testing is not recommended, as you may overlook characteristics that could cause problems to users when they use your app.

Unit Testing

This type of testing ensures that smallest element or units are tested for functionality, navigation, and look and feel.

Functional Testing

It is a system level comprehensive testing that checks for proper functioning of app from a user perspective. Tests written in JavaScript are executed as a part of the QA process to check test cases, call flows and user interface.

Third-Party App Testing Tools and Services

There are several third-party services that you can use. You also can implement an SDK, if you like. These tools and services offer a much better alternative than testing the app yourself. You can glean a lot of important information on how beta testers use the application.

Some of the information you can get using third-party testing tools and services include:

• The actual person who installed the application
• The number of beta testers you managed to get through the checkpoints you had established
• Getting feedback via the application from the testers
• Crash reports

If you are keen on implementing SDK, there are free SDKs, such as TestFlight, that offer detailed reports on users’ interaction with the app and ways to improve the application. Free SDK is the perfect choice if you are on a budget. However, do remember you would have to find the beta testers first.

Mobile app testing for iOS can sound ominous and time consuming. However, testing your app before the big launch will help you fix all bugs and develop a user-friendly app.

Messaging and push notifications are two of the most oft-used mobile marketing tools that have been known to yield excellent results. With billions of people around the world now opting to use smart mobile devices, mobile applications have now become a viable channel of communication for marketers. If you have a branded app and want to drive engagement and customer participation, messaging and push notifications can be incredibly effective when used in the right way.

The appeal of messaging and push notifications lie in the fact that they encourage users to take immediate action on the information provided by opening the concerned application and carrying out a set task. App-based notifications that are compelling and arouse interest have been extremely successful when it comes to driving engagement, and are being used to facilitate easier sales, acquire more customers and keep old customers interested in a particular brand or business.

How going local helps?

When it comes to using messaging the push notifications for marketing purposes, it is important to remember the local context. Most people use their mobile devices to gather information to help with their purchasing decisions. More often than not, these decisions involve purchases in the immediate vicinity or surroundings. Therefore, it is important as a business to focus on geo-targeting when it comes to the efficient use of messaging and push notifications to provide real utility for customers and providing enough value to encourage better adoption.

The benefits of geo targeting

The whole idea of marketing campaigns using messages and push notifications verges on a single concept- providing useful, actionable information that encourages users to make purchases. Most customer needs are local in nature (think daily needs items, plumber, electrician services etc.), and it makes sense to use geo-targeting to provide information that is really valuable and in context with the locality of specific users. Geo-targeting helps you meet your needs when it comes to the geographical boundaries of your target market. Here are some compelling advantages –

• Geo-fencing – With geo-targeting come the advantages of geo-fencing, which allows marketers to establish a virtual fence around a particular, defined geographical area for targeted marketing efforts. You can device the radius and coverage of the area, and use messages and push notifications to send important information to users who are inside the area.This way, you can leverage the local preferences of users to establish your business as a viable local milestone. The trick is to stress on the advantages of proximity between the value offer in your message and the user. This process is significantly useful for making the most of seasonal sales, answering surges in demand and trends for various products and services, and providing highly targeted value offers.

• Proximity-based Offerings – For particular business locations, messages and push notifications can be used to inform customers about the special offers and new products and services that you currently have on offer whenever they walk by your physical selling location. This way, you do not only provide value, but also convenience which becomes a convincing selling point, enticing customers to make a purchase and provide you with more business.

Have you used geo-targeting to take your business marketing endeavors to the next level? Write in to us and let us know your thoughts.

Most of you might already know about the latest version of Android OS, i.e. Lollipop. Also referred to as Android L, this version has turned out to be quite popular for one crucial reason – Material Design. Though there is a sustained interest in this design philosophy, there are very few pieces of published content that actually touch upon a holistic perspective of this radical new design thinking. Today, let’s check out some vital factors of Android L.

Why Material Design?

If you closely analyze the elements of Lollipop, you would find some significant differences when compared to the conventional Android aesthetic. The new design would seem more similar to a pastel and paper adaptation of the Metro theme from Microsoft. In the past four versions of Android, a lot of variations were seen mainly due to the branding done by the different carriers. In the previous versions of Android OS, the user interface lacked consistency. The elements in the previous versions were so inconsistent that they used to react differently in different situations, even though they were a part of the same OS. Similarly, there were few more negative aspects in the last four versions of Android that led to the inception of Lollipop.

What Lollipop’s Material Design Has to Offer?

One of the prime objectives of the Material Design is to strengthen the trust between the software and the user. The strict rules mentioned in the Material Design add more consistency to the way the user handles or interacts with the OS. This new design allows the user to drag objects more swiftly, add and destroy items, and choose the type of interaction to occur on UI elements. In other words, through the Material Design, Google has made an attempt to make the OS react in a way that the users expect. In this way, users will not come across any hiccups or unpleasant surprises.

Smart Paper- It would not be wrong to say that Smart Paper has been the core symbol of Material Design. Smart Paper can be defined as a concept that involves a fictional element, which is able to move and alter shape, accompanied with depth. I would definitely say that the Smart Paper concept can be compared to a magical notepad having layers of papers or cards. The respective cards come into action as you tap on them, and you can even drag and rearrange them. Meaning, the cards are quite flexible in nature, however predictable.

Virtual Physics- Yes, this time Google has gone a step ahead to improve the UI. Virtual physics concepts have been used in a detailed way to decide how the elements should move, how fast should they accelerate, how they should spring back, etc. Getting the elements off the screen and changing their size has become easier now.

The Appearance and Feel- The Material Design gives a lot of emphasis on the use of consistent graphic design, mainly across the OS and apps components. Numerous color palettes have been incorporated into the design, and the fonts have been standardized to give a better feel to the users. The level of contrast related to the texts has also been optimized for better reading experience.

Let us know in the comments below if any other aspect of Material Design has kept your interest level high.

Android’s flexibility makes it a smoldering favorite among both end users and developers. Powering millions of devices across 190 countries, it is the largest base for any mobile operating system. The platform is supported by a highly skilled open-source Linux community and a minimum of 300 software, hardware and carrier partners. Android development consequently can be a huge career. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned app development professional, you would never run out of projects! Here are some top resources that every Android developer needs to check out.

1.       OkHttp (http://square.github.io/okhttp/)

Developer by Square, OkHttp acts as an open source HTTP and a SPDY library for both Android and Java development platforms. As you would already know, Android comes with two HTTP frameworks; the HttpClient and the HttpURLConection. However, since Android has always been updating its firmware versions, there could be an imminent problem posed by bugs. OkHttp helps programmers/developers stay updated with the latest bug fixes by linking them to the Android Codebase. Consequently, you can easily solve compatibility issues.

2.       Picasso (http://square.github.io/picasso/)

Another tool developed by Square, Picasso acts as a catching and image downloading library. Along with a fluent interface, Picasso presents several options for customizations and integrates developer friendly tools to customize images including cropping, circle cropping, resizing, and other forms of transformations. Even if it is not a cached image, Picasso will download the image by itself and load onto the required target, thus avoiding linking and storage overheads. The most popular use of Picasso has however been for better image viewing.

3.       Android Weekly (http://androidweekly.net/)

If you should be reading anything regularly, it has to be Android Weekly. It is a weekly newsletter that provides information and news of the continuously upgrading and changing Android Community. This is also the only place where you can hope to find extensive information on new developer tools, libraries, blog posts, bug fixes and much more. Either subscribe to it or check out the official website on every Monday.

4.       DPI calculator for Android (http://jennift.com/dpical.html)

An important part of creativity is to be able to use unique colors in unique interfaces. For developers, DPI (Dots per Inch) can be a measure of the compatibility of an image for a specific purpose in the application. While responsiveness is going to be a new standard by April 21^st 2015, the DPI calculator for Android is something that every developer should possess. Offering an easy interface, it provides the developer with the dpi at any given point. This calculator is even capable of calculating tvdpi!

5.       Android Developers YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/androiddevelopers)

Google has been taking big steps to making Android more user-friendly and be a leader of the smart phone market. Consequently, a lot of changes are being integrated into the development framework, design and the elements of UI. The YouTube channel for Android development can be used as a tutorial and also a platform to stay updated with the latest technological trends.

The nuances of app development are going through rapid changes. If you are a developer or planning to become one, the resources mentioned above will definitely aid you in your Android App development projects.

Android Lollipop has been hailed as a revolution, making smartphone interfaces better looking and more functional. There were several changes to the previous version of KitKat. In addition, Google also worked upon a lot of bug fixes while plugging in several helpful features that attaches exceptional power to the OS. The first device to get a taste of the Lollipop was Google’s Nexus devices. Gradually, third party manufacturers like Samsung, Sony, HTC and Asus caught up with the update and users worldwide have consequently got the intuitive experience of unique functions like Sense and TouchWiz.

Android 5.0 Lollipop Review: Material Design

The biggest change with Android Lollipop (5.0) has been the material designing. This version of Android presents flatter                 icons, bold color bars, and simpler shapes. There has been a total revamp of the design language, first time seen with Android OS. In fact, this kind of material designing is nothing new. We had seen Apple pick up on the same line in 2013. With Android Lollypop, everything looks rounded, cleaner and notably flatter.

The ‘techie’ appeal is more consumer-friendly and cuddlier. Even the action buttons have been simplified to represent the basic shapes. A white background replaces the transparency that we saw with Android 4.4 KitKat. Also, the multitasking screen is now presented as a rotating cascade like the Google-Now cards. Even if you had several documents open in one app, you can access them separately from this screen.

Android Lollypop Review: Notifications

The notifications panel has certainly matured much with the Lollypop. Google finally introduced the long awaited lock screen notification that allows you to see the events without having to unlock the device. The lock screen showcases text messages, appointments and email. All it requires is a tap to go straight down to business.

In case you are busy with something else – watching a movie or reading a book, new notifications will appear briefly and choosing to ignore it will get you back to the thing you have been doing.

Android Lollypop Review: Google Now update

Google Now has already been proving to be pretty useful but soon enough, it will be getting increased support through third party applications. A month after the launch of Android 5.0, Google already had more than 30 third party vendors who would be providing information for Google Now.

Android Lollypop Review: User Accounts and Pinning Apps

Phones are no longer serving a single individual. The very capability of smartphones make them a perfect gadget to be used everyone in the family. The same devices will be used by you, your kids, your spouse, your brother, and other close family members. Consequently, Google offers for several user accounts with the Lollypop. Pinning Apps on the other hand will ensure that the second user wouldn’t be able to access things like personal emails, social accounts, and other accounts.

Android Lollypop Review: Smart Lock, Tap, Go

Lock screen security can be easily breached. This raises the need for some extra functions that protects personal information at all times. Smart lock allows you to pair your device with trusted accessories like cars and fitness wearable. Face Unlock too gives a unique perspective to unlocking the phone.

Android Lollypop Review: Project Volta

Project Volta is aimed at improving the battery life of your smartphone. It ensures that the apps connected to the phone gobble up less amount of power.

Android Lollypop Review: Verdict

Minor setbacks aside, Android Lollypop is a game changer in all respects. Improved functionality, better interface, better security and an increased flexibility of customization, makes it the best version that Android has ever made.

The demand for wearable devices is on the rise, and the most popular among them is the smart watch. Several tech companies like Sony, LG, Apple and Motorola have already jumped into the market of smart watch. With so many options to choose from, it might get a little bit difficult for you to make a decision. Fortunately, Android OS powered smart watches have given us some compelling features to consider them as our next gadget. Let us look at some reasons why you should invest your money on an Android smart watch.

1. Voice Recognition Platform: By far, the voice recognition platform of Google has proved to be the best among all reasons that make it a good buy. Google Now has definitely added tons of value to the Android Wear watches. When your wrist is powered by a Android smart watch, getting useful information regarding news, services and directions for any area will turn out to be really easy. The capability to speak to the Android smart watch is vital with the gadget, which makes it possible to carry out basic functions through giving voice instructions. So, the bottom line is to make information more easily accessible.

2. Communication on the Move: Though smartphones too offer this facility, but the need to hold them in your palms negate out in the case of smart watches. It is absolutely easy to sync your Android phone with your Android watch. Once synced properly, you will receive each and every alert and notification on your smart watch. It means that you will never miss any calls as the wrist vibration will keep you informed even when you are in the middle of a noisy traffic. You can also send the calls to voicemail in case you are not in a position to receive them.

3. Association with Other Companies: Nowadays, the Android watch is not just about technology, but aesthetics and looks as well. On one hand where major tech companies like Samsung, LG and HTC are teaming up with Google to come up with better hardware, the hardcore watch making companies like Tag Heuer and Fossil on the other hand are also giving their contribution. This is quite evident from the fact that recently Tag Heuer made an announcement regarding working with Intel and Google for developing Android smart watch.

4. Integration: In order to maximize the capabilities of Android watch, Google is working towards making the device compatible with even the household equipment. For example, the thermostats from Nest can be absolutely integrated with your Android watch, hence turning your device into a remote control for different equipment.

5. Scheduling: This is perhaps the most obvious reason why people wear a wrist watch. But, the efficiency of your wrist watch increases exponentially when it is powered by an Intel processor. With an Android watch tied to your wrist, you do not have to pull out your smartphone from your pocket and check out the schedules of important tasks you have to carry out or the meetings you need to attend. It means no need to toggle between your ordinary wrist watch and smartphone.

Do let us know which feature are you anticipating the most in the Android Watch?

The demand for wearable devices is definitely on the rise these days. People have started to spend their money on these futuristic devices, and this is the reason why more and more tech companies are jumping into the scene. In 2015, most of the major tech companies, such as Apple, Samsung, and Sony have decided to roll out their wearable devices for the consumers. So, let us provide you a peep into the top 5 wearable gadgets of 2015 you should know about.

Apple Watch

Quite undoubtedly, Apple Watch is one of the most anticipated wearable devices of 2015. This smart watch has created a lot of buzz with its recent launch. The watch is available in three different segments – Apple Watch, Apple Watch Edition, and the Apple Sport Watch. With a choice of feature sets like dial shapes, color options, digital crown technology, and in-built notification system, it will appeal to the personalization needs of users.

Pebble Smartwatch

It was during the CES 2015 event when Pebble showcased its 3^rd edition of smart watch. With its 3^rd edition, the tech company would be expecting to accumulate a lot more accomplishment than it has had with the previous versions. The previous editions of Pebble smartwatch were loaded with basic features like sending/receiving emails and messages with a really powerful battery (up to 7days of battery backup). The 3^rd edition will definitely offer something more to the users.

Tag Heuer Smartwatch

The brand ‘Tag Heuer’ needs no introduction in the watch industry. It is associated with quality and sheer luxury. But, now the company has decided to step into the world of tech gadgets. In 2015, you can expect Tag Heuer Smartwatch to hit the market, which would be run by Intel processor. The Swiss watch maker has given an indication that the wearable device will borrow some of its design element from the digital watch range of Tag Heuer.

HTC Gluuv

In case you are looking for something quite different then HTC Gluuv may fit into your needs. It would be the first wearable device from HTC, which will offer flawless integration with HTC One M8. By connecting your HTC smartwatch to M8, it would become possible for you to sync both of them and get regular updates. One of the most striking features of HTC Gluuv is its amazingly powerful camera, of 87.2 MP!

Sony Smart Eyeglass Attach

This device might remind you of the Google Eyeglass. Following the footsteps of Google, Sony is planning to come up with its own version of Smart Eyeglass attach. This device will be loaded with sensor HUB, Bluetooth, wireless LAN, and a powerful processor. In addition, it will also feature an OLED Micro Display accompanied with an optical unit.

With so many options to choose from, the competition between the wearable devices of 2015 is definitely going to get tougher. However, this will certainly prove beneficial for the consumers, as tech companies will have to keep improving their products in order to stay ahead of the competition.