This module provides an introduction to the skills and techniques required to develop software that runs on a mobile or handheld device. The module will be practical in nature, with the emphasis on creating working software that could be executed on a simulator or deployed on a mobile device. As all mobile development is done using a particular framework, it will be necessary to select a suitable framework for teaching purposes. The Android framework from Google is freely available and open source, which are strong advantages from a teaching perspective and consequently will be the framework used on the module.
The mobile sector is an increasingly important part of the ICT landscape and it would be important for a developer to have competency in this area. The module aims to provide a thorough introduction to the required skills and illustrates the ways in which mobile development is different from regular desktop development. It aims to provide students with an understanding of constraints involved in the emerging field of mobile computing, and how technologies can be used to develop applications appropriate to mobile devices. Beyond this, the aim is to ensure that the student will be able to use the technologies that they have learned in a business and academic context.
Emulation, debugging and deployment.
Mobile UI design. Views, layouts, menus, animations, styles, themes and resources. Resolution independence.
Database storage and retrieval.
Background services, inter-application communication, multi-tasking and notification.
Mapping, geocoding and location-based services.
Accessing hardware features, such as camera, GPS, accelerometer and orientation sensors. Playing audio and video
Emulation, debugging and deployment
Introduction to emulator - a simulation of mobile device and IDE for android development.
Mobile UI design. Views, layouts, menus, animations, styles, themes and resources. Resolution independence
Present UI design and elements. Using UI elements in application development.
Database storage and retrieval
Storing data on device and on cloud. Accessing data on the device and over the network.
Background services, inter-application communication, multi-tasking and notification
Background services, background task and asynchronus task, inter-application communication.
Mapping, geocoding and location-based services
Integrating maps in applications, geocoding and display locations on maps. Maps interactions.
Accessing hardware features, such as camera, GPS, accelerometer and orientation sensors. Playing audio and video.
Different sensor types, using sensor data, playing audio and video.
Lectures, discussion, problem-solving exercises, project work, self-directed learning.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 40 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 60 |