Students see there's an app for that at FHSU
Published on -8/26/2011, 10:09 AM
Printer-friendly version
E-Mail This Story
By KLINT SPILLER
Smartphone users now will have access to Fort Hays State University at the touch of their fingers.
In a joint press conference Thursday morning, officials from FHSU, Nex-Tech and Nex-Tech Wireless unveiled the release of free smartphone apps that allow users to engage with the three entities.
"The education world, along with the wireless industry, continues to evolve," said Johnie Johnson, Nex-Tech Wireless president and CEO. "Today's students and faculty are extremely mobile. They demand devices and solutions that will allow them to remain mobile, but also connected and productive."
The Hays Area Chamber of Commerce also conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the release of the apps and to commemorate the partnership between FHSU and Nex-Tech.
"It is a virtual ribbon-cutting in some ways," FHSU President Edward H. Hammond said.
In the newest version of the FHSU Mobile app, there are 14 individual apps. Seven use programs created by Blackboard as a base, but the other seven were created completely from scratch by the FHSU and Nex-Tech development team.
The applications are available to iPhone and Android users. Version two of the FHSU Mobile app was released for the iPhone but not for Android phones yet. The newer version is updated and has more individual apps.
"I think it will be an important tool to better deliver information and access coursework," Hammond said.
With this innovation, FHSU joins a select number of universities expanding itself to the forefront of mobile technology.
Out of more than a hundred institutions that use Blackboard, only one other institution has a customized app for the Android system, according to Dennis King, director of Virtual College and Learning Technologies.
Some of the FHSU Mobile apps include courses, athletics, emergency contact information, student media, student and staff directories, photos, videos, Nex-Tech and Nex-Tech Wireless.
With courses, students unsure about their schedule can find their course using the app, which includes basic information and a map with the location of the building, making it easier for new students on campus to find classes.
The emergency app contains contact information for campus police, student health, CTC Help Desk, general emergency services and TigerHelp Desk.
The student media app allows people to find publications and broadcasts from the University Leader, KFHS TV and KFHS Radio.
As of now, Nex-Tech and Nex-Tech Wireless apps only provide contact information for the different offices throughout Kansas. However, they plan to have a Nex-Tech Classifieds app that will allow users to view and post classified ads.
It is expected to be available for the Android system later this year and for the iPhone early next year.
Nex-Tech Internet Solutions Manager Justin McClung said Nex-Tech Classifieds receives more than 12 million hits on the site per month, but with access from mobile devices made easier, he said he expects that number to rise.
"Everything you can do on the computer (with Nex-Tech Classifieds), you will be able to do on your mobile app," McClung said.
FHSU students were active in the creation of FHSU Mobile. Two worked on the app development team and served central roles, King said.
This involvement will continue into the school year, as the FHSU Department of Informatics will offer an academic certificate in smartphone application development beginning this semester. The certificate initially will be offered on campus and then moved to the online environment.
"Our goal in a year is to have some students graduate with a certificate and get employed by Nex-Tech," King said.
