the desk of the Roundup Time to go mobile

Navigating the Pierce website and campus can be overwhelming at times, but creating a mobile app specifically for Pierce will make students’ and faculties lives easier.

A mobile app is convenient for almost everyone considering most people use their smartphones for hours a day.

According to a 2017 study done by Ellucian, having a centralized mobile app eased the transition to college for 85 percent of students. The study also found that it helped more than 70 percent of students become more involved on campus.

Pierce students typically follow up to 5 mobile apps, Canvas, LACCD app, Grad Guru, Microsoft outlook and QLess. Condensing them into one would help settle the confusion for many. The app would be a modern take on the school website, which some would suggest is outdated and confusing.

Trying to find your way around campus is already a hard enough task and by the time students are allowed back in person many of them will have never stepped foot on campus. The app could have an interactive feature that tells you not only where all of the classrooms and offices are but also how far away you are from it.

One important feature that a Pierce mobile app would need is an emergency alert system.

When there had been emergencies on campus one of the main ways of informing students was through email. The main problem with that is not everyone checks their email constantly.

The app could have an emergency notification system that would immediately alert everyone about what is going on and what they should do during a crisis.

Another way the app could increase student engagement is by working with the Athletic department to create notifications for Pierce sports teams.

Students could keep track of whichever sports teams they are interested in and be

In the loop for upcoming games and scores.

When it comes to the academics part of the app, one feature that could boost attendance would be sending reminders to students that they have an upcoming class. This would work for both in person and online classes because sometimes students simply forget. newsroom.roundupnews@gmail.com

At CSU Channel Islands they have a mobile app with most of these features. Students are able to register for classes, pay fees, view class schedules and grades, find places on campus all through the goCI app.

Developing an app can be expensive depending on who is hired to create it. One way Pierce could cut the cost of creating the app is by offering students the opportunity to develop it. Not only could it be offered as a project for a computer software class, but could also be something a student puts on their resume.

A mobile app would benefit students and staff because it would be designed to make their lives and jobs simpler.