ERAU Computer Engineering Summer Camp 2016 - Thursday PM
This afternoon we will begin to learn the basics of mobile app development using MIT App Inventor 2.
Module #1: Introduction to Mobile App Development
This module will provide an introduction to mobile application development. Components of mobile applications are discussed. Types of mobile applications including native vs. web-based are discussed. The campers will go through four introductory tutorials to familiarize them with MIT App Inventor 2.0.
- Discussion
- What is a mobile application? What are the key characteristics that differentiate mobile applications from desktop or web applications?
- What are the key components of a mobile application's design? Layout? Widgets? Sensors? Data Storage? Interaction with other apps?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of native vs. hybrid vs. web-based mobile applications?
- Why are we using MIT App Inventor and what are the alternatives?
- How do iOS vs. Android apps differ?
- Demo
- Introduction to MIT App Inventor 2.0 - Live Demo - Dr. Stansbury will walk through MIT App Inventor 2.0 and show the process for creating, testing, and demonstrating a simple moble application.
- Build Activity:
- Program: TalkToMe Text-to-Speech App
- Program: Extended TalkToMe App
- Program: BallBounce Game App
- Program: DigitalDoodle Drawing App
Module #2: Adding Sensors to Your App
This module provides a practical discussion of the sensors that go into your mobile device and how you can leverage them for your mobile application.
- Discussion:
- What are the sensors that go into your typical smart phone? tablet? smart watch? VR headset?
- How do mobile devices detect location? How can you use this for your app?
- How does the mobile device detect motion? What are some practical uses of motion in your app?
- What about media sensors such as the microphone, camera, etc.?
- Demo:
- Programming for MIT App Inventor 2.0 - Dr. Stansbury will go through several of the sensors and show how they can be introduced into mobile applications.
- Build Activity:
- Program: Photo Booth
- Program: Displaying Location on Map
Module #3: Challenge Build
As a group, we will walk through the following intermediate difficulty mobile app. This will be a mini-golf game. Everyone is asked to work together as we go through this tutorial.