With the learning labels platform, pushed a drive to mobile first applications early last year (2020). First, designed and built mobile optimized web applications (smaller screen size, slower processing, and touch enabled). Second, using these applications as a guide, built four Android apps and a Windows 10 app. These new apps are starting to get similar functionality as the web applications and, better, starting to utilize the advantages of mobile first platforms. Some examples include:
Fully functional search that returns a SERP of learning and job labels. On a mobile, scroll up/down through the set – labels fit the screen ideally. A logged in user might clone or peer review a label. Cloning means adding the label to a collection, get all the functionality with the label but cannot modify the definition. Peer review is to verify the accuracy of the expectations; this is an ideal function for a mobile device because it takes seconds, and the interface is intuitive.
Search also renders well on a tablet and touch enabled screens. Doing a peer review while reviewing the resource (represented as a label) on a tablet is reasonable use of the application.
Finally, the search supports content and skills-based searches. The latter is an interesting change from the norm. Typically, searches are content based. The typical context for searching in learning and jobs includes degree, subjects, and disciplines and requirements and job titles, respectively. And this type of search is fully supported in Learning Labels Search app.
But with a skills-based search, the focus is on a few skills and level of difficulty. This provides a different search result with a ranked list of learning or job labels. The results change while adding and removing skills and how they are prioritized. (At this stage, there are not enough labels in the system to get an effective result.)
Two predictions in using skills-based searches: a learner prioritizes transferable and soft skills to identify ways to pivot between different education and job tracks; and finds opportunities from one or two technical skills across subjects and then samples them (before making long term commitments, like a long-term job or degree).
Quick tasking and creating learning pathways when the inspiration hits. Using the paged or dashboard apps, a learning practitioner sets up dashboards and pathways by adding and removing elements – all coinciding with the online web account; this is a smart, intuitive interface for mobile devices.
See aggregates of skills in real time. Get skill definitions, Skill Points (quantified skill measurements), and highlighted pathways from the dashboard and paged apps anytime.
Quick navigation to supporting web pages. From the apps, quickly access full web pages supporting the elements with added information and features. (No need to go between browser and app.)
Access learning pathways and dashboards and elements from any device / platform. There is full access to the learning labels system from a browser (any device) and Android and Windows 10 devices.
This only scratches the surface of how learning labels work in a mobile first design. Got plans for other apps and use the pervasiveness of mobile devices to deepen functionality in the existing apps.
As said earlier, there are not enough learning and job labels in the system to get an effective search result at this stage. Contact us for a free consultation to index your resources with learning or job labels. Let's start building.