Post Classifieds
ANGEL goes mobile
By Narmeen Karzoun
On May 4, 2012
In recent months, Buffalo State has decided to go live with a mobile app called
Blackboard Learn which allows students and professors to use ANGEL on the go.
The app became available in the beginning of February on limited devices, but
within the past few days has gone live to all mobile devices including Android,
Blackberry, iPhone and iOS-powered devices.
"One of the things that we wanted to do was meet the students where they are," said
Meghan Pereira, senior instructional designer. "If you look around the union you'll
see that almost all students are on their phones and that's where they're getting
most of their information from."
According to Pereira, Buffalo State is being given the opportunity to use the
Blackboard Learn app on all mobile devices at no cost to the college for one year.
The campus will then evaluate the usage and benefits of the app.
Two other schools in the Buffalo area are also using the app, including University at
Buffalo and Villa Maria College.
The Blackboard Learn app is available to download through the cell-phone carrier of
the mobile device being used. After the app is downloaded, students and professors
need to search "SUNY Buffalo State College ANGEL" and then simply log in using
their ANGEL username and password, Pereira said.
The app allows access to lesson tabs, announcements, discussion forums, grades and
other ANGEL essentials, making the user experience similar, but limited, compared
to the computer version.
Students do not have the ability to upload assignments to drop boxes or take tests or
exams from their mobile devices, and professors are not able to edit their courses or
download assignments to grade while on the app.
"Mostly it is for gathering information," Periera said. "You want to go ahead and
read announcements. You want to go ahead and do some review of anything under
the lessons tab. The only interactive piece is the discussion forum."
Assistant theater professor Carlos Jones has been working with the Blackboard
Learn app since the beginning of the semester. He said it is convenient to be able to
access important information wherever and whenever needed.
"I have been in the studio with no access to my computer and needed to reference
course outlines," Jones said. "My phone is always with me. I logged into the app and
got the information I needed and I was able to answer questions for the students."
Andrew Nicholls, chairman and professor of the history department, has also
worked with the app. He has found that, although it is limited for the time being, it
offers a sneak peek for the future of mobile computing.
Pereira said the Blackboard Learn app will eventually undergo many improvements
such as allowing students to be able to attach files to the discussion forum while on
the phone and giving professors the opportunity to upload files to the lessons tab.
"They're going to continue to enhance it," Pereira said. "I think one of the things that
Blackboard looks at is they see the time constraints that students have and trying to
get as much done in the short period of time they have."
For comments on this story, contact bscrecord@gmail.com.
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