WSU CoEDL Workshop on App Development Approaches
Technology has an important role to play in successful research and language teaching programs which is reflected in the increasing number of apps available. Many of these apps have features that can limit their usefulness in meeting specific needs. Developing your own app is one way to ensure that it has the functionality you are looking for. This workshop will introduce participants to app development approaches with a focus on language research (community researchers, fieldworkers, psycholinguists) and language teaching (foreign languages, Aboriginal languages, community languages & classics). The day features an invited talk from Dr Stephen Wan, Leader of the Language & Social Computing Team at CSIRO's Data61 in Sydney. A tutorial style workshop on low-tech app prototyping within the broader process of collaboration, design and usability assessment will be led by WSU's Kate Richards.
Participants who already have functional apps are invited to bring their app on a device to a Lunchtime Showcase, to demo and discuss progress and insights informally. If you have an app to show, please email - by Friday 7 September - a brief description to: Mark Richards <m.richards@westernsydney.edu.au>
Teacher Accreditation Standards: The workshop has been accredited by the National Education Standards Authority (NESA) through the WSU Education Knowledge Network and addresses the following Proficient Teacher standards:
3.4.2 Select and/or create and use a range of resources, including ICT, to engage students in their learning
6.3.2 Contribute to collegial discussions and apply constructive feedback from colleagues to improve professional knowledge and practice.
Weekend Hackathon
For participants who would like to spend more time developing their app idea into a prototype, or continuing development on an already existing app, a hackathon sponsored by WSU REDI will be held in the weekend after the workshop. Participants will be supported by volunteers experienced in prototyping and software development and will work collaboratively to make progress on an identified element of their app that can be developed or improved within the scope of a weekend. The hackathon will take place from 10am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday the 15th and 16th of September, at the Collaboratory Riverside, 96 Philip Street, Parramatta (https://www.collaboratory.com.au/) Participants who cannot attend both the Friday workshop and the hackathon are welcome to just attend one or the other. Please advise r.hendery@westernsydney.edu.au by 7 September for catering purposes if you plan to attend the hackathon.