Course Objective:

This 4-week course will guide student teams through building a mobile app for iOS, Android, or using a cross-platform framework (such as Flutter or React Native). Each team will build an app that will offer an interactive tour of MIT's campus, highlighting its history and current innovations. TechCASH prizes will be awarded to the team based for best overall, most innovative use of technology, and best user experience. Please register here.

Course Location and Times:

Days: Wednesdays in January - 1/8, 15, 22, & 29

Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Location: MIT Museum, E28

    1/8 - Collections Workshop E28-3XX

    1/15 - Classroom E28-262

    1/22 - Classroom E28-262

    1/29 - TBD

Course Structure:

Jan 8: Introduction to Mobile App Development and MIT History and Tour Concept

Objectives

Introduce students to mobile app development using their platform of choice: iOS (SwiftUI), Android (Jetpack Compose), or Cross-Platform (Flutter or React Native). Define the scope of the project, form teams, and brainstorm app ideas focusing on key locations, history, and interactive features.

• Platform-Specific Introductions
• Team Formation (3-5)
• Project Kickoff – Overview of MIT campus highlights

Jan 15: Implementing Navigation and Maps

Objectives

Begin building the core structure of the app, focusing on navigation, map integration, and location-based services to guide users around the campus.

• Platform-Specific Navigation
• Maps Integration and location

Jan 22: Adding Interactivity and Multimedia Elements

Objectives

Enhance the user experience by adding quizzes, multimedia content, and (optionally) Augmented Reality (AR) features, cross-device testing, debugging, polishing UI/UX.

• Interactive Features
• Multimedia Integration
• Debugging and Optimization
• Cross-Device Testing
• Polishing the UI/UX
  • Fine-tune the app for a professional, user-friendly experience.

Jan 29: Presentations and Awarding Prizes

Each team will have 10-15 minutes to present their app to the class, explaining design decisions and showcasing the app's interactivity and multimedia. They will discuss the design and goals highlighting the key features, the user experience, and MIT content. Additionally, each team will discuss the development process, what worked, what didn’t and why.

Prizes

• Best Overall App ($250 TechCASH)
• Most Innovative Use of Technology ($150 TechCASH)
• Best User Experience ($150 TechCASH)

Assessment Criteria

• Creativity & Innovation
  • Did the team approach interactive elements in a unique way? Was the multimedia content well-integrated? Was the use of AR (if any) effective?
• Functionality
  • Is the app user-friendly, responsive, and functional on different devices? Is navigation smooth?
• User Experience
  • Is the app engaging, intuitive, and visually appealing? Is the app fun?
• MIT Content
  • Is the content relevant and informative? Does it give the user an accurate picture of MIT?
• Team Collaboration
  • How well did the team work together to build a polished, functional app?
• Next steps?