Yu-Chang Hsu, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Educational TechnologyBoise State University

2014 App Inventor Summit@ MIT Media LabCambridge, MA

Design, Development, and Empowerment:My Experiences of Coaching a Best-in-Nation

Middle School Team from2014 Verizon Innovative App Challenge

The HikeAbout App

My Experience:Teaching Mobile App Design with AI

● 6-week online PD Workshop (Summer 2011)● 16-week online Graduate Course (Fall 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)● 3-week online quest-based learning Teacher Camp (Summer 2012)● 5-day F2F High School Summer Camp (Summer 2012, 2013, 2014)● 2-week online quest-based learning Teacher Camp (Spring 2012)● 1.5-hour BSU Faculty Workshop (Fall 2012)● 3-day onsite coaching and 3-month virtual mentoring

of a Verizon Innovative App Challenge Best-in-Nation Team (Spring 2014)

Verizon Innovative App Challenge

● STEM app ideas that address school or community needs

● Phases: Best in State-Region-Nation● Visual presentation (video) + essay● Middle school and high school students ● 2014-15 REGISTRATION OPENS 08.04.14 SUBMISSION

DEADLINE 11.24.14● See http://goo.gl/uSv1Pw

2014 AITC Members

App Inventor Training Corp. (AITC)

● 2014: ○ 8 coaches/trainers + 1 online course consultant○ “Educators who have significant skills with App Inventor and

demonstrate experiences of working with students” ● One coach for each Best-in-Nation team● 2-day intensive meeting and preparation at MIT● Watch out for the announcement on App Inventor

Forum

Team HikeAbout

3-Day Onsite Coaching● Communication and Preparation

○ School mentor/teacher and the technology staff are your best friends

○ Scheduling○ Checklist

■ Wifi and mobile hotspot■ BYODs

● Develop training materials based on their winning app ideas/features

● Demonstrate some quick and functioning prototype--help them see it live!

● Offer bonus app challenge that is fun, relevant, and quick (e.g., text to speech)

3-Month Virtual Mentoring● Project management

○ Arrange and plan during onsite coaching first○ Get a team manager○ Involve the school mentor/teacher (and perhaps parents!)○ Require weekly progress update

■ Summary of achievements■ Source code

○ Be cognizant of the team’s academic calendar (e.g., spring break and other major activities)

○ Backward scheduling● E-mail

○ Prompts○ Facilitate on asking clear and concise questions

● Need-based web conference at request

Challenges

● Technical○ WiFi work for laptops and mobile devices separately: Laptop

and mobile devices won’t connect for via the AI2 Companion○ Solution:

■ Ideally● Mobile hotspots purchased by the school’s tech staff

and/or prepared by the coach● Emulator pre-installed and tested

■ Connect via USB cable● Project Management

○ Correspondence and update○ Timeline and milestone adjustment

The Team’s Achievement: The HikeAbout App

Q&A

Thank You

More about My Work with AI in Education

● Syllabus○ MOBILE APP DESIGN FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING

● Articles○ Empowering educators with Google's Android App Inventor: An online workshop in mobile

app design (in BJET)○ Mobile App Design for Teaching and Learning: Educators’ Experiences in an Online

Graduate Course (in IRRODL)

● Stories○ Idaho Upward Bound Program Teaches College Readiness with App Inventor○ Teaching Mobile App Design with App Inventor at Boise State University

● Press○ Idaho High School Students Get A Taste Of College Life○ Students Help Hikers Navigate Trails With Smartphone Guide

Image Credit

● Android on Skateboard: http://www.techdrivein.com/2010/06/15-beautiful-android-wallpapers-for.html

ContactDr. Yu-Chang Hsu

hsu@boisestate.edu