Page 1 Mobile Application Design and Development Industry Certification Certification and Course Overview This course provides the learner with an introduction to mobile application development. The course will cover the basics of the mobile application industry as well as the basics of programming. This course assumes a familiarity with the computer and mobile devices, but does not assume that the learner has any prior programming experience. At the end of this course the learner will have the opportunity to earn the industry certification offered by the WebProfessionals.org association. The Mobile Application Design and Development Apprentice Certification is a full industry certification and the certification exam must be taken at an approved proctored location either physical or online as determined by the WebProfessionals.org. The Certification exam delivered by the WebProfessionals.org association can only be taken by a learner who has successfully completed this course and has achieved a minimum course score of 80% and has the recommendation of the course facilitator. The WebProfessionals.org is an international industry association for IT professionals engaged in web and connected applications for mobile devices. The WebProfessionals.org have been serving IT professionals for over 20 years. WebProfessionals.org are proud supporters of SkillsUSA, WorldSkills International and numerous competitions and events that help provide learners with their professional career goals. Prerequisite: None Proctored Exams: Final Certification Exam (Learner may take the certification exam after completing one semester of coursework.) Length: 1 Semester or 1 Year Instructor Information All facilitators will have completed a Facilitator Training and Orientation prior to conducting this course. This training is provided to the facilitator by an experienced and certified trainer. These trainers are registered with either CTe Learning or Et Tu Create. Facilitators are provided with all solutions to student activities, and instructional videos as part of the facilitator/instructor materials. Access to these materials are provided during the facilitation training. Textbooks and Resources The online line course is provided by Et Tu Create LLC. (ETC). ETC provides the curriculum and reading materials for this course. Course Overview for the Learner Do you want to create the next big app? Are you interested in learning how to create apps easily and swiftly, while gaining a certification that will help you get started along a new career path? Maybe you want to learn about mobile
Page 2 application design so you can create apps for your own business or just for fun. Then, mobile application course is a perfect place to start. This course does not expect or require any previous programming or design experience. You will learn the skills you need through our real-world project based learning approach. By the time you are done you will have a series of apps that demonstrate your understanding, a portfolio showing the breadth of your work and a certification * that tells the world that you have what it takes. The certification exam for this course is administered by the WebProfessionals.org association. You will gain the design and technical skills needed to go from concept to finished product. You will learn how to determine customer needs, create a project plan and produce the application. You will acquire and practice the programming skills needed to develop quality mobile applications. As you work through the real world projects you will develop interpersonal skills in communication, and project management. You will learn not only how to design an app, but ways to monetize your work and generate revenue from apps you create. This project-based experience also provides career exploration opportunities as you engage in video interviews of entrepreneurs, hardware techs, and mobile application creators. You will learn what it takes to be a professional in the field and how to grow your passion and interest into a career. During this course you will create a number of different mobile applications you are free to share with friends or continue to develop into marketable applications. *Upon completion of this course you will be enrolled into the final certification exam. This course will prepare you to take the Apprentice Mobile Application Design and Development Certification Exam. To receive this certification you must complete the practical (project and tutorial) work and pass the certification final exam administered by the WebProfessionals.org association. Technology Requirements Participation in this course will require the basic technology for all online classes : A computer with reliable Internet access, a web browser, Acrobat Reader, A word processor AGK Basic App Development Kit Full and free 30 day download (trial version) available at http://www.appgamekit.com/ (discounted full versions available to course enrollees) Access to a smart phone or tablet Optional Not Required (Learner can test all apps developed simulated for a mobile device on their computer) Course Objectives To understand the basics of application programming To understand mobile application industry, career options, history and future To understand the basics of designing applications to meet user needs To write thoroughly documented programs To create and test appropriately robust software applications Understand how to create, monetize and promote an application Measurable Learning Outcomes Understand basics of programming Write thoroughly documented programs Write well tested and appropriately feature robust applications
Page 3 Demonstrate the ability to write program documentation that is succinct, thorough, and maintains standards of good English. Demonstrate the ability to compile, load and run an app program using a compiler. Explain what an application the life cycle process is and its value to a developer. Explain the responsibilities of a project manager. Explain the basic differences between mobile devices and how they affect good application design. Understand the diversity of career pathways available to individuals passionate about programming and application design. Explain the differences in legal entities that could be used for a entrepreneurial startup. Understand the importance of intellectual property Explain how to protect the intellectual property involved in a mobile application Understand the basics of a good contract and what makes a contract enforceable Understand the history of the smart phone and mobile devices Explain the differences between smart phones, tablets, phablets as it relates to good mobile app design Understand the diversity of mobile device operating systems and how that impacts initial design and development decisions Explain which mobile application life cycle is the right choice for a first time independent developer Compose a spreadsheet to compare different monetization models Understand why specific monetization strategies are better for certain types of applications Understand the value of "stickyness" as it relates to revenue potential. Develop a simple sales plan for a new application Understand how monetization, application design and marketing all contribute to revenue. Understand the need and process of version control during application creation Demonstrate an understanding of project management triangle and weighing choices. Explain what makes for good User Experience design Explain what makes for good User Interface design Explain the difference between UI and UX in application design. Understand the importance of graphics and branding as part of the User Experience design Demonstrate the main elements of a good testing process Explain how testing improve ROI for an application
Page 4 Assignments and Course Flow Course Flow This course allows the learner the freedom to work at their own pace, but they must complete the course fully prior to getting authorized or recommended to sit for the final certification exam. There are two main sections to this course. The top section of 11 chapters delves into the Mobile Application industry and may be completed in any order. Each industry chapter has a quiz that must be completed at the end of the chapter. The second group of chapters are the Programming and Design Tutorials (PDTs) and this group of chapters must be completed in sequence. In some chapter there will be additional assignments called DIYs or WCIMs as well as small app projects. The learner will complete all activities in one PDT before continuing to the next. Most PDTs have a final quiz at the end of the chapter. You are expected to complete each of these activities before continuing on to the next section. Course Projects Though out this course the learner will create a series of applications. These applications are mandatory and part of the body of work that must be completed prior to receiving the recommendation from the facilitator to sit for the industry certification exam. These project include: Reaction Speed Test App (Learner Welcome) Anti Bullying Check List App for Kids (PDT 2) Simple Reaction Tester App (PDT 3) Multiplication Tables Learner App (PDT 4) Last Key Press to Scan Code Tool App (PDT 5) Mini Text Calculator App (PDT 6) The Sync App Ascii Animation App (PDT 7) Benchmark (Sprite Graphics) App (PDT 8) Graphical Calculator App (PDT 9) Curtains Curtains Curtains Sales App (PDT 13) RGB and Hex Color Selector Designer App (PDT 13) Logic Condition Tester App (PDT 14) Name That Holiday Song Game (PDT 15) Spirit Level App (PDT 16) YouCALC App (PDT 17) Capstone Project App (PDT 18) Selection of example Apps attached to this course can be found at: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=teachyourselfstuff&c=apps
Page 5 Course Chapters Industry Chapters Industry 1 Introduction to Mobile Applications Market Introduction and History of Mobile Devices Introduction and History of Mobile Applications Future of Apps and App Development Top and Types of Apps Industry 2 Careers in Mobile Application Job Outlook Getting Hired Building Your Portfolio Maintaining Your Professional Edge Hiring Yourself (Going Entrepreneurial) Industry 3 Legal and Ethics in Business Why Protect Intellectual Property Examples of Intellectual Property Disputes in Software Content Copyrights and Fair Use. Ethics and Your Mobile App Privacy Laws and Mobile Applications Basics of a Good Contract Basic Business Entities Industry 4 Introduction to Mobile Hardware CPU Speed of Processor RAM and Storage Mobile Hardware Phones, Phablets and Tablets Interactive Display Technologies
Page 6 Sensors Connecting (NFC, Bluetooth, WIFI, 3G, 4G, LTE) Industry 5 Introduction to Mobile Operating Systems The Operating System (OS) Windows CE,Phone, Pocket, Mobile and RT Developing for ios Developing for Android Developing for the Other Mobile OSs Industry 6 Mobile Application Life Cycle Software Lifecycles Parts of a Life Cycle Standard Life Cycle Models Life Cycles from the User s (Customer) Perspective Industry 7 Project Management Software Project Management Why Make a Plan? What are the Basic Phases of a Project Plan Simple Versus Sophisticated Project Management Setting Goals and Deadlines Life Cycle, Project Management and Design Planning Stages and Activities Version Control The Project or "Iron" Triangle Industry 8 Designing For Your Customer UI UX Mobile UX Design Basic Principles of UX Task Based Design Mobile UI Design Elements of UI Design
Page 7 Designing for Thumbs What s Trendy in UI Logo and Icons Industry 9 Testing and Quality Control Quality Assurance The Importance of Quality Quality and Software Teams Return on Investment (ROI) and Quality Testing Approaches Testing After Deployment Industry 10 Monetization and Sustainability Talking about Monetization The App Stores Monetization and Your Business Model There are five types of monetization strategies Marketing Your App Industry 11 Marketing and Selling Your Mobile App Target Market Creating the Buzz Launch and Beyond PDT 0 Programming and Design Tutorials Overview on how to use the PDTs ( Programming and Design Tutorials ) PDT 1 Getting Started What is a program Programming languages Human beings are the opposite of a computer Basic program structure.html AGK Commands Program Indentations
Page 8 PDT 2 Your First Program, REM, DO, Print, Loop and Sync Creating Your New Project Hello World REM DO Print WCIM Anti Bullying Check List App for Kids (PDT 2) PDT 3 Working with Identifiers (Variables), Mathematics and Logic Working with Identifiers Identifier naming rules Symbolically defining an Identifiers nature Integer Identifiers Float Identifiers String Identifier Mathematics Legal Mathematical Operators Logic and decision making Processing Strings WCIM Simple Reaction Tester Alpha Converting Strings to values and back WCIM Simple Reaction Tester App (PDT 3) PDT 4 Basics of Loops Loops Do and Loop For and Next Repeat Until WCIM Multiplication Tables Tool App (PDT 4) PDT 5 Getting User Input Getting input from the keyboard Get raw input from the keyboard
Page 9 WCIM Key Press to Scan Code Tool App (PDT 5) PDT 6 Mini Project Text Calculator Creating the Text Calculator App Mini Text Calculator App PDT 7 Controlling Your Environment, Program and the Virtual Canvas Setting up your visual environment Keeping your program under control Understanding your virtual canvas WCIM The Sync App Ascii Animation (PDT 7) PDT 8 Working with Images and Sprites Working with images Assigning Images to sprites Setting sprite data Getting the pointer Getting sprite data Checking for Sprite and Pointer Interaction WCIM Stick Man Dance App (PDT 8) PDT 9 Mini Project Graphical Calculator Introduction to Graphical Calculator and DIYs Graphical Calculator Graphical Calculator Source Code WCIM Graphical Calculator App (PDT 9) PDT 10 Constants, Types, Arrays and Global Local Identifiers Constants Creating Types Arrays Multidimensional Arrays Arrays and Types Global vs Local
Page 10 WCIM Best Friend Database App (PDT 10) PDT 11 IDE, Subroutines and Functions Introduction IDE Subroutines Functions Multiple_Files WCIM UCalcU Math Trainer App (PDT 11) PDT 12 Saving Data, Writing Files and Loading Files Introduction Saving and loading Identifiers Creating a file The files created witin the windows file system Loading data Adding redundancy Line by line WCIM Curtains Curtains Curtains Sales App (PDT 12) PDT 13 Text Objects, Updating, Color, Setting Visibility and Using Font Maps. Brawler Font Text objects Creating Text Setting Text Size Setting Text Position and Alignment Updating Text Strings Changing Text Color Setting Text Visible Setting Text Font WCIM Emergency Contacts List App (PDT 13) PDT 14 Decision Making with AND,OR,XOR, NOT, SELECT and CASE Decision making extended introduction AND
Page 11 OR XOR NOT The SELECT and CASE statement WCIM Logic Condition Tester App (PDT 14) PDT 15 Adding Audio, Encoding, Playing and Loading Type Introduction to music copyright and law File Formats Loading and playing music files Loading and playind sound files WCIM Name That Holiday Music Game (PDT 15) PDT 16 Creating Virtual Buttons and using internal mobile sensors Creating Virtual Buttons Adding graphics to virtual buttons Getting Virtual Button data Setting Virtual Button Status WCIM Spirit Level App (PDT 16) PDT 17 UI Function Creating Virtual Buttons and using internal mobile sensors Creating a simple label Creating a portable interface Creating a button Creating a slider Creating a scrolling text box WCIM Advanced DIY User Interface App (PDT 17) PDT 18 Capstone project development and deployment Development Steps Design Document File Beta Tutorial Main AGC
Page 12 Functions AGC Subroutine AGC Experimental AGC DIY Commenting Your Code Testing Your Project DIY Applying Bug Fixes Release Candidate Release Phase DIY Add a post release feature App Challenge App Design Projects Team or Independent Extended Projects (Semester Offering Choose 1, Year Long Course Offering Does All 3) Ind Proj 1 App Challenge Create a For Profit App Ind Proj 2 Future App Challenge International Competition Project Non Profit Edutainment App Ind Proj 3 Start Something Today Challenge The Mobile Application Design and Development Course is developed by Et Tu Create, LLC. This course is distributed by CTeLearning.com.