Mobile Computing | News

USC Mobile Apps Bring Social Networking, Captured Lectures to Online Graduate Programs

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 02/06/12

The University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education (MAT@USC) and School of Social Work (MSW@USC) have released an Android app designed to give students access to multimedia materials and intra-school social networks.

Rossier and the School of Social work are online graduate programs "offered via a highly advanced Web-based learning management system that uses robust social networking platforms and face-to-face, 'Skype-like' interactive technology to create a real-time, personal classroom experience," according to information released by the university.

Features of the app include:

• Access to recorded lectures and course materials such as lessons, documents, and videos;
• The ability to find and connect with classmates;
• The ability to interact with professors;
• Notifications of live sessions and due dates;
• The ability to post photos, documents, videos to--and otherwise participate in--socially created communities; and
• Syncing of notes across mobile and Web systems.

"We're definitely pushing the technology envelope with this new mobile app," said Paul Maiden, vice dean at the USC School of Social Work. "Our MSW@USC students are located all over the country on different time zones and have demanding work schedules. Having access to lectures and assignments on your phone takes the idea of mobile learning to a whole new level."

The new apps, along with iOS versions, were developed by TouchAppMedia and are integrated with the 2tor learning management system used by the programs.

The apps are currently available for free on the Android Market for students of either program.