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MITx: Mobile Application Experiences

Learn to create a novel mobile application in this MIT course - from research to design, usability, implementation and field evaluation.
10 weeks
10–12 hours per week
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule
This course is archived

About this course

Skip About this course

How do you design a mobile app that truly changes people's lives? How can you understand how a new service is being used, both quantitatively and qualitatively? How can you use all of the rich sensing and I/O capabilities of mobile devices to create experiences that go far beyond what's possible on a traditional computer?

Mobile devices are changing the ways that we interact with each other and information in the world. This course will take you from a domain of interest, through generative research, design, usability, implementation and field evaluation of a novel mobile experience. You'll finish the course with a working, field-tested application suitable for release in the app store as well as a deep understanding of human interaction with mobile devices and services.

Based on a popular MIT class that has been taught since 2006 by Frank Bentley of Yahoo Labs and Ed Barrett, a Senior Lecturer at MIT, this course will explore what makes mobile devices unique. A primary focus will be on studying existing behavior and using key findings for design. While writing the code for an app is a part of the class, the majority of the topics will cover designing and evaluating a unique mobile experience. Along the way, you will have opportunities to share your work with other students from around the world! Java experience (or Objective C for iOS users) and a smartphone are required.

All required readings are available within the courseware, courtesy of The MIT Press. A print version of the course textbook, Building Mobile Experiences, is also available for purchase. The MIT Press is offering enrolled students a special 30% discount on books ordered directly through the publisher’s website. To take advantage of this offer, please use promotion code BME30 at The MIT Press site.

At a glance

  • Institution: MITx
  • Subject: Computer Science
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Prerequisites:

    Java experience (or Objective C for iOS users) and an Android or iOS device are required.

  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated skills:Usability, Java (Programming Language), Objective-C (Programming Language), Apple IOS, App Store (IOS), Mobile Application Development, Research, Smartphone Operation, Research Design

What you'll learn

Skip What you'll learn
  • To understand the entire HCI design process, as applied to mobile applications
  • To construct a novel mobile application and assess its use in daily life for two weeks
  • To prepare and evaluate three different types of HCI research studies (generative, usability, and field studies), related to the topic of your application
  • To identify and discuss papers from the CHI research community and design and compose your own CHI-style paper
     

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