Transforming Communities Through Apps: Part II January 10, 2013

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This seminar will be available on the TechSoup website along with past webinar presentations: webinars You will receive a link to this presentation, material and links. Twitter hashtag: #techsoup You are being recorded…

Transforming Communities Through Apps II With Jolkona’s Adnan Mahmud and Punit Java

Presenters Becky Wiegand TechSoup Facilitator Assisting with chat: Kyla Hunt Adnan Mahmud Jolkona Presenter Ariel Gilbert-Knight TechSoup Presenter Punit Java Jolkona/Microsoft Presenter

Introducing TechSoup and the Transforming Communities Project Terminology and Decisionmaking App Creation Process Examples of Nonprofit and Library Apps Case Study of Jolkona’s Change App Q&A and Resources Today’s Agenda:

TechSoup is part of TechSoup Global, working towards the day when every nonprofit, library, and social benefit organization on the planet has the technology, knowledge, and resources they need to operate at their full potential. Who Is TechSoup?

TechSoup is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As of June 2012, TechSoup served more than 183,000 organizations, distributed more than 9.7 million technology donations, and enabled nonprofit recipients to save more than $3.1 billion in IT expenses in 40 countries around the world. We have 52 donor partners including Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco, and Symantec, and there are currently 469 technology donations available through the TechSoup catalog.

Poll

What Is the Transforming Communities Project? A project generously funded by What we’re doing: Creating a scalable approach to understanding the needs of nonprofits and libraries and supporting the identification (and development!) of technologies that can address those needs

According to Pew: – 45% of American adults have a smartphone – 25% of American adults have a tablet computer There were over 45 billion app store downloads in 2012 Gartner Predictions: – “By 2013 mobile phones will overtake PCs as the most common web access device worldwide.” – “By 2015 over 80 percent of the handsets sold in mature markets will be smartphones.” Sources: Mobile Device Stats Image: po1yester, Flickrpo1yester

You’re Probably Wondering… What does all that mean for your organization? What does that mean for your mobile strategy? Is an app the right choice? We’re here to help! Image: Horia Varlan, FlickrHoria Varlan

Terminology: What Is an App? 6/13/20166/13/20166/13/20166/13/20166/13/2016

Decision Tree Mobile-Optimized WebMobile App Your Organization’s Mobile Strategy Native App Cross-Platform App

What could an app do that your website can’t? Who are you trying to reach? What devices are they using? Is an app the best way to reach them? Questions to Ask Mobile apps Offer access to additional features, (GPS, camera, “push” notifications) Mobile website May be less expensive Will work across devices

Terminology: Operating Systems The operating system (OS) is basic software that allows your computer or mobile device to run Different mobile devices have different operating systems – Windows Phone – iOS – Android – Blackberry OS – Symbian

Native app = designed to work on a particular operating system Cross-platform app = designed to work on multiple operating systems Terminology: Native and Cross-Platform

Consider your audience – what are they using? Native apps – Take advantage of device-specific features and interface – Must be developed separately for each operating system Cross-platform apps – Reach more users with less development effort Choosing a Platform Learn more about the pros and conspros and cons Learn more about the pros and conspros and cons

Have clear goals and objectives Plan to do something for the user Know your audience and get their input What does success mean? Build in evaluation! Know what skills your organization has (design, development, marketing) Plan ahead for marketing and support Before You Begin 6/13/20166/13/20166/13/20166/13/20166/13/2016 “Unless an app makes a person’s life easier or better, the app won’t be used. –Beth KanterBeth Kanter “Unless an app makes a person’s life easier or better, the app won’t be used. –Beth KanterBeth Kanter

Designing Your App Prioritize! You’ve only got three inches of screen Sketch it out – What are the main actions users will take? – What information will appear on the screen? – What is the step-by-step flow when using your app? Image: Peter Lindberg, FlickrPeter Lindberg

Getting Your App Built Designers, app development companies, and volunteers – Have a clear specification for what you want your app to do, who your intended audience is, goals… “App for Good” events Do It Yourself Image: davidd, Flickrdavidd

Many DIY app development tools out there (see this long list)long list The “DIY” Approach The GOOD Less expense up front Little in-house technical know- how required Gets your app up and running fast The BAD Monthly fees may add up over time Not as flexible or customizable

Your App Is Built! Now What? Distribution Marketing and discovery – how will people find your app? How will it be supported? Gather and incorporate feedback Don’t overlook your website and marketing!

EXAMPLES OF APPS FOR SOCIAL GOOD

Not Your Baby

Diabetes UK

Nature Conservancy

Jolkona /jol-KO-na/ n. Bengali word meaning a drop of water. We believe small drops can add up and have a ripple effect of change.

Jolkona

RESEARCH DESIGN EXECUTION

webmobile

RESEARCH DESIGN EXECUTION

Shipped!

WALKTHROUGH

Q & A Please type your questions in the chat window. Follow-up questions can be posted in the community forum:

TechSoup Resources Transforming Communities app resources Transforming Communities Mobile Solutions and resources Mobile Solutions Free apps and downloads Discuss in our Mobile and Wireless forumMobile and Wireless forum Check out the Windows 8 Apps for Social Good ContestWindows 8 Apps for Social Good Contest Apps created for/by libraries Image: Alexandre Dulaunoy, FlickrAlexandre Dulaunoy

Thank You to the Transforming Communities Project Sponsor!

Thank You to Our Webinar Sponsor! ReadyTalk offers dedicated product demos for TechSoup organizations 4 times per week. For more information: pages.readytalk.com/techsoup.html