Jackie Sherlock, Ex Libris
As higher education comes to terms with the consequences of the Coronavirus, mobile apps can support off-campus engagement and help students cope with this unforeseen situation, giving them the best experience possible in these challenging times.
Here’s some important advice to help you engage with students effectively in a mobile online environment.
1. Send frequent push notifications.
Push notifications are a great way to keep users up-to-date with what’s going on. They have a higher open rate than any other communication channel, so you know your message will get through.
Particularly in a situation that is constantly changing, instant and frequent updates can reassure your staff and students that they have the latest advice and information.
If you can give your staff and students one place to go for information, they’ll feel reassured that the information they have is correct, up-to-date, and — most importantly — relevant to them.
2. Keep content up-to-date and accurate.
Your students are most likely to use their mobile phone to check for the latest news and updates. It is important that the content you’re sharing is up-to-date and relevant, as incorrect advice can cause additional worry in already stressful situations.
3. Highlight support services.
When it comes to content, make sure your advice and support services are prominent in your mobile app. Pay particular attention to any support that you can provide remotely or via the app itself.
If it’s easy for users to find this information, it’s one less thing for them to be concerned about, and they are far more likely to reach out when they need help.
4. Facilitate learning.
While students normally prefer to use laptops to do coursework or submit essays, it might not be possible for them to access the same resources they are used to.
A mobile app can provide access to your online learning environment, empowering students to continue their learning even if they are quarantined at home. Digital resources like recorded lectures or online books and journals can be made available via your app, so students have everything they need to learn, wherever they are.
5. Make it personal.
A mobile phone is the most personal device we own, and an app gives you the opportunity to personalize your content and messaging in a way that no other way of communication does.
You can use the personalized aspect of your app to address the specific needs of groups of users — for example, international students who are worried about when and how they’re going to be able to get home.
6. Be the place to go.
In an emergency or emerging situation, it can often be confusing for people to know where to go to find the information they need.
If you can give your staff and students one place to go for information, they’ll feel reassured that the information they have is correct, up-to-date, and — most importantly — relevant to them.
Mobile apps can be a powerful, one-stop-shop for all the things people are likely to need, and if you can harness that power for your staff and students, you can help take some of the stress out of the situation.
March 17, 2020
