App Speed DatingMOBILE LEARNING – MESI 2013

Note-taking

The iPad’s software includes a note-taking apps which can be synced to a one’s Google and iCloud account. Other note-taking apps such as Evernote includes many additional features and a large number of apps that work in conjunction with Evernote. For Microsoft Office users there is a OneNote version for the iPad that can help desktop users to continue using the same program for accessing their notebooks. Notability and Simplenote are other good choices.

Voice Recording

Some note-taking apps such as Evernote and Audionote allow users to include audio recording within their notes. Unfortunately, these recording may have a limit of 90 minutes or less depending on one’s product subscription. There are also advantages to having a separate audio file. Evernote requires a subscription for greater space. Using a program such as iTalk (iPhone) or Voice Recorder (iPad) allows users to record audio in the background for hours and for audio files to be sync to a cloud storage service.

Video Recording

Recording interviews can be a very unique and useful way in which to use an iOS or other mobile devices. Apple's iMovie is one of the best and most user-friendly movie recording programs available in the App Store. iMovie retains a lot of the functionality of is desktop counterpart. Other programs such as Pinnacle Studio allow for a similar level of editing capability and customization. If videos are recorded for social media purposes, Vine or Socialcam, among others can be used to quickly share video snippets.

Survey Tools

There are multiple survey tools available for iOS but few are as powerful as QuickTap Survey. QuickTap allows for both online and offline data collection. QuickTap is not web-based and it allows images to be uploaded for multiple choice questions. While QuickTap is the best option available other programs such as TouchPoint Business are good alternatives. If a connection to the internet is available tools such as a Google Form or SurveyMonkey, PollDaddy among other web-based survey tools could be used effectively.

Presentation

Various presentation applications are available in the iPad that allow you to create and share very attractive presentations. In terms of capabilities, Apple's Keynote is probably the most powerful presentation tool on the iPad. It allows you to add 3D graphics and other attractive features. Prezi is another application that can help deliver a unique presentation experience for the viewer. Using a 3D landscape Prezi can help zoom into key points in a presentation

Presentation - II

There are multiple powerful presentation apps on the iPad. CloudOn allows users to access their PowerPoints and other Office documents, edit them and share them through its interface. Another presentation tool worth mentioning is Haiku Deck. Haiku Deck is a free application that allows users to create a visually stunning presentation using only Creative Commons images or images available in your iOS device through its useful search engine for Creative Commons images.

To Do Lists

As mobile devices iOS devices are easy to activate and accessible in most places. Because of their connectivity and accessibility they are a great way to stay up to date on relevant events. iOS applications include a large number of attractive to do lists, pomodoros and timers to help increase productivity. These apps help users to effectively stay up to date with their schedule providing users with regular reminders. There are many apps available to fit each organization style including Toodledo, Any.DO, Clear, List!, among many others.

Mindmapping

Among the various apps that can help to map an idea or a project are iThoughtsHD, Grafio, Popplet, and Mindnode. These apps can be somewhat more expensive but they can help their users in brainstorming ideas and visualizing connections through touch friendly interactions. Some apps such as iThoughtsHD allow for image importing and for easy export into other platforms. Grafio provides for attractive visuals and allows for finger drawing shapes and intuitive touch formatting. Grafio is visually attractive and conducive to creativity.

Planning

Project planning is a skill that benefits most evaluators which requires effort to master. As portable, connected devices, iOS devices can help in the planning process. Some applications include multiple functions and many of the tools needed to organize and share a project. Bento 4 and Beesy are two of the best known apps in this category. These apps include calendars, allow for note-taking, include to-do lists, audio notes, Evernote exports, picture imports among many other features that can simplify the execution of a project.

Webinars and Video Conferences

Online conferencing apps such as Adobe Connect, Fuze, or GoToMeeting allow for meetings to be hosted or attending via an iPad. This can be helpful when conducting synchronous online focus groups and online discussions. These same applications are used for webinars and some of them include recording features. Adobe Connect allows for the use of polls, drawing and other tools to help increase interaction. It also include a live chat feature.

Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is increasingly being provided by many companies. Two of the highly recommended programs are Google Drive and Dropbox. Other programs such as SugarSync, Box.net, or SkyDrive also have large communities of users. Most of these programs utilize the “freemium” marketing model. These programs allow you to maintain copies of files in the cloud across different computers so your files are always accessible. They also allow for collaboration in projects as folders and files can be more easily shared.

Pdf Annotation

Two of the most powerful Pdf annotation tools are Goodreader and iAnnotate. Other free options such as PaperPort Notes are also available. These programs allow for various types of edits to be made to Pdf files including highlighting, marking, and signing. These applications can also sync to different cloud storage programs to ensure that the most recent copy is quickly available across devices. Some of them allow for files to be edited, text to be added, and for the completion of form.

Social Media

Social Media is increasingly an effective way to share and gather information including possibilities for market research. There are multiple applications that aggregate social media information. Some of them aggregate both a Twitter and a Facebook feed. Flipboard and Tweetbot are two good examples and different takes in effectively using and managing social media feeds. Flipboard also facilitates the management of RSS feeds and other news sources.