Course Title: Develop mobile applications

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2019

Course Code: COSC7389C

Course Title: Develop mobile applications

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5384 - Diploma of Digital Media Technologies

Course Contact: Program administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email: mcvet@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Suzanne Thomson suzanne.thomson@rmit.edu.au ph: 9925 4815

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

N/A

Course Description

This course explores the skills and knowledge required to develop, debug, test, and deploy applications for hand-held devices, using development platform environments and work as mobile device application developers. 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

ICTPRG409 Develop mobile applications

Element:

1. Define a platform

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Determine the target platform for the hand-held device 1.2 Choose and evaluate a development environment, based on the target platform and hardware 1.3 Prepare and configure the application development environment

Element:

2. Design the user interface for a mobile application

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Create views for different screen orientations and resolutions 2.2 Integrate the appropriate navigation techniques 2.3 Design the page layout and content 2.4 Integrate the appropriate user input techniques

Element:

3. Permit the personalisation of parameters

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Write the code to allow users to configure application settings 3.2 Write the code to allow users to configure application output, such as text size, brightness, and sound effects

Element:

4. Build a user interface for a mobile application

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Itemise the required functionality 4.2 Build a user interface, in the determined development environment to fulfil this functionality

Element:

5. Connect to the data sources

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Bind controls to data sources 5.2 Persist data using extensible markup language (XML) serialisation 5.3 Access remote data using XML web services

Element:

6. Test and debug a mobile device application

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Test the application for overall functionality, according to the requirements 6.2 Iterate the application design, or build, until the test results meet the requirements

Element:

7. Deploy a mobile device application

Performance Criteria:

7.1 Create an application packaging for deployment 7.2 Deploy an application to target devices

Learning Outcomes


On completion of this course you will have the ability to:

  • identify the relevant mobile platform
  • determine, prepare and configure a development environment
  • design and build an application for the platform
  • test and debug the application, to ensure that it meets requirements
  • describe the considerations of mobile device hardware and networking, when programming
  • summarise the principles of object-oriented programming
  • describe user-interface design principles
  • describe extensible markup language (XML) programming and web services
  • explain the language integration for web design including:
  • hypertext markup language (HTML)
  • JavaScript
  • cascading style sheet (CSS)
  • Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX)
  • identify and describe contemporary mobile platforms including:
  • mobile phones
  • pocket and tablet personal computers
  • digital assistants.


Details of Learning Activities

This course consists of 2 Units of Competency that are clustered together for delivery and assessment. The other unit of competency in this clustered course is: ICTICT406 COSC7386c Build a graphical user interface.

In class learning activities may include, but are not limited to:

• lectures and/or lab work
• teacher directed group activities and projects
• concept development of group and individual projects
• group discussions and class presentations
• peer and teacher feedback
• WIP (work in progress) reviews
• self directed online, library and industry research
• self directed project production work and reflection

Out of class activities may include, but are not limited to:

• maintaining secure daily backups of all assessment and project data to your RMIT Google Drive account
• accessing online tutorial resources
• self directed online, library and industry research
• self directed project production work and reflection
• class excursions to events and locations outside of RMIT




Teaching Schedule

Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.

 

Wk 1

Introduction:

Overview of the subject


GUI - Gooey
Explore what GUI means, were we can find GUI, GU standards. Research good and bad GUI. GUI and digital device platforms. Learn about what to consider when designing for specific platforms. 

 

Wk 2

GUI and UI
Take a look at GUI in relation to UI, exploring existing design patterns by learning about what they are and how they are developed. Take this learning one step further by creating your own UI Kit.

 

Wk 3

Interaction Design - Web Design standards
Look at web design standards and how they apply to multiple scripting language. You will also explore XML and how it relates to interactive design. Taking from the previous lesson, look at how to apply a UI design kit to an application design.

Secondly you will also learn about copyright and interaction design, as well as how to protect you IP when taking on client projects. 



  

Wk 4

API 

We will take a look at APIs and how they are utilised throughout different interaction designs. As we as learning about how they integrate into multiple scripting languages. This lesson will be an overview of many scripting languages, exploring their purpose.

AT1 - App Development Class Exercises

Wk 5

Learn the basics of Unity
You will learn the basic of how to set up and use the tools of Unity. This will give you a good foundation in the software. 

  

Wk 6

Unity - Creating a basic App

You will learn how to create a basic application interaction, from setup, importing, managing object and scene to creating interactive scripts.

 

Wk 7

Mini Unity Project
You will be given a short brief to develop a 2 page application.  As part of this brief you will need to answer set questions about developing application in Unity as well as producing a draft version of the application. 

  

Wk 8

What is AR ?
What is AR, and how is it currently being used ? Is it effective ? What is the future for AR. How to plan for an AR project. 

AT2 - App Development Class Exercises

Wk 9

Determine GUI Specifications

Review the requirements of the brief, looking at specification, determine back-end interfacing, functionality, suitable development language, timeline for project and level of documentation required .

 

  

Wk 10

Ideation and Pre-production 

You will develop wireframe solution for your application concept that meet the set features and specifications of the brief.  Throughout this process you will consult with peers and teacher to ensure you are developing strong GUI solution.



  

Wk 11

Pre-Production Documentation

This lesson will be dedicated to finalisation you pre-production documentation. 

AT3 - Design and AR App for iOS

Wk 12

App Prototype 

This lesson is dedicated to the creation of your application in Unity. 

 

  

Wk 13

App Test and review 

In this lesson you will have time to finalise the app interaction and perform 4 user tests in order to receive testing feedback and evaluate the app’s success in terms of meeting set requirements and usability.

  

Wk 14

App Development 

Now you have tested, you will need to finalise the build, deploy your application to target device and review the process.

 

  

Wk 15

App Development (Part 5)

This lesson is set aside for ironing out the issues, and finalising the application development, documentation and submission for AT3.  


Scheduled review and feedback of all assessments

AT4 - Build an AR App for iOS

Wk 16

Scheduled review and feedback of all assessments


Preparing for Exhibition

In this lesson, you will prepare you files for exhibition. 

  

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Students are encouraged to make full use of class time, open studio time and University computer lab resources. Please consult the RMIT University web site for details of access times and locations.

Other required resources include, but are not limited to: an A4 or A3 visual diary, drawing materials (pencils of various grades (1B & 2B), erasers, coloured pencils and pens, graphic markers such as Copic brand) broadband internet access, suitable digital media storage such as a portable hard drive or USB 3.0 flash drive, with at least 128Gb capacity.

You are strongly advised to maintain a daily backup schedule of all assessment and project data to your RMIT account.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, practical project work and through the application of learned skills.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment for this course is competency based. To show competency, you must complete all assessments to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.

Late assessment submissions, or submissions that do not reach the required standard may be assessed as Not Satisfactory (NS). You will receive feedback on your assessment through Canvas and resubmission instructions via email. You must resubmit within two weeks of this notification. You may re-submit an assessment task only once. Please refer to the assessment brief or rubric for full assessment criteria. All assessment documents are available on the course Canvas page through MyRMIT.

AT1 - App Development Class Exercises
In order for students to gain an understanding of GUI, API, XML, UI and standards related to these, student will complete weekly App Development class exercises, in which they will participate in set exercises and answer set questions relating to each week. Students will compile answers in a subject logbook.

AT2 - App Development Class Exercises
Students will participate in a set in class exercises which will show them basic of scripting syntax and interaction in Unity. Students will compile answers in a subject logbook.

AT3 - Design and AR App for iOS
In this assessment students will participate in ideation of an Application concept resulting in them developing a pre-production document that will outline design and technical features of the application.

AT4 - Build an AR App for iOS
In this assessment students will develop, build, test and deploy their application to a set device. 

Graded assessment in this course uses the following grades:

CA - Competency Achieved
NYC - Not Yet Competent
DNS - Did Not Submit


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix for this course demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the unit of competency. It can be found on the Canvas course page through myRmit, or from your teacher.

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters.

Attendance:
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. You are strongly advised to attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

Assessment Feedback:
You will receive spoken and written feedback on all your work. Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Academic Progress:Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy designed to assist you in achieving your learning potential.

Adjustments to Assessment
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment satisfactorily by the due date, you can choose to apply for an adjustment to your assessment. RMIT University offers a range of adjustments designed to support you in your studies, including an extension of time to complete the assessment.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) RCC applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview