Curtin University is launching a mobile app to its 2016 students that will relay timetable, unit information, contacts and much more, direct to their iPhone or Android mobile.
Named after the wife of former Prime Minister, the late Sir John Curtin, elsie was developed by Curtin’s Information Technology team and is part of a broader program to personalise the student experience and make digital learning available to Curtin students from any device and any location.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Professor Jill Downie said elsie brought together information previously available online through separate systems that were not mobile friendly.
“For the first time students have access to all the information they need to help them navigate both their academic and social life at Curtin in one single app, and it is delivered directly into the palm of their hand. No more signing into multiple systems, and no more switching between different platforms,” Professor Downie said.
“Elsie provides an overview of the student journey: it gives students an idea of where to go, what to do and assists them to continue on their personalised learning path.”
The elsie app was trialled during second semester 2015 with an overwhelmingly positive response from the 4800-plus students who downloaded the app during this test phase.
Push notifications, campus maps, library information and the ability for students to download and watch recorded lectures have been added for the 2016 university-wide launch. Curtin will continue to develop and evolve the app throughout 2016.
Professor Downie said Curtin’s vision was to be an international leader in research and education offering a high quality, flexible, interactive and personalised learning experience to students that was available from anywhere in the world, using any device.
“At Curtin, our goal is to provide a mobile and individualised student experience, and elsie is one piece in this puzzle,” Professor Downie said.
“Potentially, Curtin could have one million learners actively engaged with the University through one of our online Challenges, or MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) offered through our partnership with the edX Consortium or one of the many courses available through Open Universities Australia.
“The physical campus also remains an important element in our plans for the future of Curtin, creating a knowledge hub where students, researchers and industry come together.”
