Designed, Developed, and Executed by Jonathan Kabay
4/25/2013
Home - 1
Lack of effective communication strategies around the RMU campus
has led to students difficulty on finding events throughout the University
resulting in a decline in student involvement.
•
•
•
•
Many students around RMU, especially commuters have trouble finding events
throughout campus every day.
The only reliable source of information is the RMU website which is rarely updated
every day, a sign leaving campus on the LED panel, or simply by word of mouth.
It is important both for the reputation of RMU as a University and for the student
population to build a community with the student experience.
In order to increase student involvement in the community whether it be attending
sporting events or participating in an on campus study group, we need to expand
the way in which information is reached to students.
4/25/2013
Need for App (Students)- 2
The RMU Underground App would give
students complete control of the university.
•
•
•
With this app students can click on any building and view every bit of information
they wish to know about.
Instead of searching online for reviews for professors, students could just open this
app and view reviews right there.
Sometimes students don’t receive notifications about events being held on campus,
with is app students will receive alerts for any event being held on the campus.
4/25/2013
Need for App (Students)- 3
Every type of student will find this app very useful for
any issue they may have.
•
•
•
If a student is attempting to locate an open computer lab or just an empty class
room, this app will provide them with the availability of every room on campus.
Incoming freshman or transfer students would be able to utilize the 3D tour feature,
in order to familiarize themselves with the campus.
If a student is looking for a something to eat they would be able to click the café
and view the specials for that day, and utilize the chat feature to see if it was any
good.
4/25/2013
Need for App (Students)- 4
Students will benefit socially from this app with the
class network feature of this app.
•
•
•
If a student is struggling with a problem on the homework they would be able to
make a post in the class chat room requesting help with the problem they are
having.
Students will have the ability to add or create a group with other students helping
them communicate very easily.
Students who do not live on campus or students who just don’t know very many
people on campus can benefit from this app by utilizing the chat feature to become
a bit more social with other students.
4/25/2013
Need for App (Students)- 5
The app will be the centerpiece of a new program to entice
students in the technology field to attend RMU.
•
•
•
•
A new program will be launched incorporating the new RMU Underground App, in
which students manage and develop the app further.
The project will be limited to exceptional students in different technology fields,
including computer science, multimedia, and software engineering.
Faculty from each of these departments will aid the students in the process.
Integration of new curriculum will be necessary for the success of the project.
4/25/2013
Need for App (University)- 6
The students wouldn’t be the only ones to benefit from this
app. Robert Morris could also benefit in many ways.
•
•
•
The university could see approximately how many people are attending an event by
utilizing the GPS feature and also receive feedback from the students about the
event.
Robert Morris could partner with local business who would like to place a small
advertisement within the app.
If an event on campus isn't expected to draw a large crowd, Robert Morris could
provide students with incentives to attend the event.
4/25/2013
Need for App (University)- 7
This app provides an academic advantage for Robert
Morris students that most universities can’t offer.
•
•
•
If a student is struggling with a class or needs some help with their homework, the
student would be able to access the tutoring schedules available for the center for
student success.
Selected students would be in charge of maintaining the app. which would provide
students with real world project management skills.
Students would be able to receive assistance with their class work from professors
by directly messaging them within the class network.
4/25/2013
Need for App (University)- 8
The initial programming development of RMU Underground
will require the hiring of outside mobile app agency.
•
•
•
•
The app will need to be database driven and coded to link into the registrar server
active at RMU’s main campus.
The design phase will be developed by the Media Arts department which will
provide content, layout, and user flow structures to the development agency.
Coding, Testing and Debugging the app will cost around $50-$100 per hour which
in total should take roughly 550 hours or roughly 3 and a half weeks to complete,
totaling $55,000.
An outside 3D rendering agency will also be hired for the 14 classroom building
navigation.
4/25/2013
Development- 9
Each classroom building at RMU will be 3D rendered
by a professional architectural rendering firm.
•
•
•
Most design agencies charge roughly $40 per second through animation (3D walk
through) which will include only hallways, design elements, and navigation.
Since RMU’s classrooms only support roughly 12 buildings, the total cost of
animation for one building would be approximately $12,000.
$40 per second x 60 seconds = $2400 x 5 minutes per building = $12,000 x 12
buildings = $144,000 Total cost of 3D rendering 12 buildings.
4/25/2013
Development- 10
With the total design and initial development, the cost
of RMU App would be approximately $199,000.
$5,000
$15,000
$35,000
Designing
Programming
Testing
Maintenance
$144,000
4/25/2013
Development- 11
The use of paper proto-typing, a human-computer interface concept, will
help usability testing for students who use the RMU Underground App.
•
•
•
•
•
Our design team will use paper for their presentation to a larger group of students
who have interest in using RMU Underground.
Paper proto-typing will help the development team identify missing components
within our application.
The user interface and its key components are tested and re-evaluated for the
development of the app.
Users often have needs that the RMU development team isn't aware of, or the team
may have a mistaken assumption about what functionality will satisfy a user
requirement.
The use of embedding RMU email into our app was a need by one of our testers,
stating it was a key component to their experience, rather than using Gmail.
4/25/2013
Development- 12
Having an effective communication strategy is
essential to promoting the overall success of the app.
•
•
•
•
Communication should be focused on the students as well as professors in the
university.
Professors can be encouraged to incorporated it into their own curriculum.
Most students have smart phones which are capable of having the barcode reader,
which will directly lead them to the RMU website to download.
Advertisement flyers with the app logo will be distributed on campus and
surrounding businesses.
4/25/2013
Communication Plan- 13
Another effective way to communicate the RMU
Underground App is through social media.
•
•
•
The RMU App will be displayed on the RMU Facebook page allowing students to
download the app.
RMU’s twitter account will also display a link to the app once developed.
Once the app is finalized, an email will be sent to everyone in the university
regarding the finalization of the app.
4/25/2013
Communication Plan- 14
The goals set for the app will be 50% use among students,
while the new program’s goal will be a 10% increase in
enrollment.
•
•
•
•
Because the app relies on users interacting to get the full functionality from it, the
percentage of students using the app will determine the success of the project.
A goal of 50% of students using the app will be set for 2 years after completion of
the app.
In addition, the new program for developing the app should create interest in
enrollment at RMU for technology students.
A 10% increase in enrollment for relevant fields after 2 years will be deemed a
success.
4/25/2013
Goals - 15
The home page or main page of the app will feature an overhead 3D aerial
map of the whole university, which will display the buildings and landmarks.
•
•
•
•
Building information can be activated or accessed by one tap of the finger.
Each building of the university will be 3D rendered with computer software so that students
can have 2 options exploring a building.
One of the options of exploring will be a rendered using 3D software that manipulates the
complete inside layout of a building or classroom
The second option is having a floor plan layout which users can access to view professors
and scheduled classes in each room.
4/25/2013
3D Touring- 16
Login to Campus Map Proto-type
4/25/2013
3D Touring- 17
Virtual 3D tours give students the ability to locate any class or room number
within that building and find out exactly the information below through a drop
down menu.
•
•
•
•
•
Students can display which class is being taught in the room.
Students can display which professor is teaching it.
By clicking on the professors name, information and ratings of the professor are shown by previous
students who attended the same class the previous semesters.
If the student has his / her GPS and Class Schedule information enabled, other students could view who
is attending the class.
Students who are scheduled to be in that particular class can enter their class network
4/25/2013
3D Touring- 18
VIRTUAL 3D TOUR PROTO-TYPE
4/25/2013
3D Touring- 19
Floor Plan exploring displays a technical digital diagram of the whole building
that allows the student to visually see how the building in structured, numbered,
and which current classes are being taught at that given time.
•
•
•
•
Floor Plan exploring is a secondary alternative in viewing the building as a whole.
Students can easily view a building they’re familiar with while knowing which class is being occupied.
Students also are provided the same information as the virtual mode such as, classroom number, name,
professor information, and which students are scheduled in the class / room.
Students are also able to view their current location in the building, if he or she is present while searching
inside.
4/25/2013
Map and Floor Plan- 20
FLOOR PLAN TOUR PROTO-TYPE
4/25/2013
Map and Floor Plan- 21
Non-Scheduled classrooms, such as a computer lab and
library, can be monitored with the use of GPS technology.
•
•
•
•
If a student has their GPS location active, their signal will alert RMU Underground
her or she is occupying the room.
Other students who need to use the computer lab, can view if the room is empty or
full given the fact there are only fifteen to twenty computers available in that
particular room.
If the room is full, students are able to send messages to those users occupying the
room, asking them if they’re finished.
Since some students won’t have GPS enabled in a room, users can send
messages to those who do asking them if there are seats open in a room.
4/25/2013
Map and Floor Plan- 22
Students can create groups to organize their friends and
events.
•
•
•
•
Students will be able to create groups, called “Portals”, for common interests, and
add other students to them.
Portals can be organized as on-campus groups, clubs, teams, classes etc.
Portal members will be able to communicate efficiently, dropping events onto the
map and broadcasting messages to the Portal.
Portal events can be broadcast to the entire campus, alerting all students to an
activity occurring in that area.
4/25/2013
Portal - 23
The RMU Underground App has a feature where before registration
students can search professors and find their ratings before committing
to that class.
•
•
•
•
•
The student can open up the app where they will see a drop box to search for the
classes they need as well as search the professor.
The ratings for each professor will be provided from students who have taken the
class before.
The search button will be very convenient to the student’s eye so there will be no
confusion.
The feature of being able to search for professors as well as get their rating is
essential for the app and will ultimately improve student life.
Once registered the students will be able to leave their own ratings of the professor
and class they have taken for future students.
4/25/2013
Professor Search- 24
The RMU Underground app will provide the student body with effective
communication about upcoming and current sporting events and
activities by sending messages to students, being displayed boldly on
the main menu of the app, and as a red marker over the location of the
activity on the interactive campus map.
•
•
•
•
The RMU Underground App will provide the RMU students with information for that specific
day or even the upcoming days revolving around any and all events happening on campus
right at the palm of their hands.
Once an event is issued, a leader of the group (club, frat, etc.) or student can post this
information on the network allowing other users to simply log into the app to access the time
and place of meetings or various activities.
Football, basketball, and other games can also be scheduled to display within the network
as well through a list alerting students with a message of the upcoming events. This
information can also be accessed on the main page of the app as well.
Once a user clicks over the football field or Sewall center, they will notice an event is going
on that day when that building has a red marker over it, allowing for an easy way to scroll
over the entire campus for current events happening.
4/25/2013
Event Listings- 25
The RMU Underground App can provide students with increased
opportunities to attend tutoring and open lab sessions by allowing
professors and other students to post these events which will be
delivered to students within seconds, allowing them ample time to plan
ahead and attend.
•
•
•
•
The RMU Underground App can also be beneficial in regards to education, allowing
professors and students to post tutoring sessions scheduled to take place that day
or upcoming days.
All too often students struggling in a particular class were not notified of a tutoring
session or open lab (for biology and nursing majors) in time to attend.
The RMU App will allow for this information to be transmitted within seconds
allowing the users to find and locate the sessions with ample time to attend.
Similarly to the notifications for sporting events, the tutoring sessions will also be
displayed on the main screen of the app, sent as a message to students, and be
displayed as a red marker over the location on the interactive map.
4/25/2013
Event Listings- 26
The GPS portion of the RMU Underground App can bring about privacy
and safety concerns involving the student population, however the
“invisible” option on the app allows the location of the student to be
hidden to others while still be viewed by the police for emergencies.
•
•
•
•
The RMU Underground App uses GPS navigation which can bring about questions
regarding privacy and safety.
During an interview with Jeff Schmetzer (member of the RMU police dept.) concern
for students safety was top priority and a main issue surrounding adoption of the
app.
The RMU Underground App however has an option on the main screen where
students who have the app can become “invisible” to others. Ensuring their privacy
in that no one can see where they are located on campus.
Though students may be “invisible” to others their location is still visible to the RMU
police department in case of emergency.
4/25/2013
Privacy - 27
Due to the almost instant communication provided through the RMU
Underground App in the case of an emergency students and police are
notified of the incident within seconds, while the GPS function provides
the location of students and the threat.
•
•
•
•
•
The RMU Underground App provides many benefits to the campus police and to students in
regards to emergency situations.
On every login, students will notice a “SHOUT” button which is used for extreme
emergencies incase someone does break in the building or if there’s a fire, etc. it acts as a
good safety measure and according to Jeff Schmetzer ( RMU police) is a reason for
adopting the app.
Once a shout is sent, everyone in the building gets an alert sent instantly to their phone,
almost like a loud ringtone.
Once a shout is pressed, whoever activated it must enter their user id and password again
and type the message or reason of the alert.
The Underground App goes on instant lockdown, police are notified instantly, and your GPS
/ Location is sent to police so they know exactly where you and approximately the number of
people in each building.
4/25/2013
Safety - 28
To get an idea of how EMS members would feel about our app, we
interviewed a retired firefighter. James Ivancik said that the app would
be useful in an emergency.
•
•
•
•
•
Interview with retired career firefighter, James Ivancik. Now a volunteer firefighter
after retiring from the Ambridge Fire Department.
When asked if app would be useful, Ivancik responded yes. Said would help to
locate students and the dept. would know how many personnel are required to
rescue people involved.
When asked about the ease, he said that the ease of our app cannot be
underestimated in an emergency.
Mr. Ivancik said that it would be worth putting time and effort into because it would
make the fire departments response more efficient and help to reduce the number
of casualties.
Mr. Ivancik said that he would not make any changes to our app but likes that the
ability to zoom in on specific buildings is important and would be helpful to the
search process.
4/25/2013
Safety- 29
The RMU Underground App may face some
abnormal challenges.
•
•
•
•
Users may misuse the app by looking up where and when they would be in a
particular building, though students can prevent this within the privacy settings.
The app may add another distraction factor to students while in the class.
The event network could not be up to date for events that may be cancelled.
The professor rating function could be given false information about professors.
4/25/2013
Abnormal Usage- 30
Due to the overload of information and potential for
user error, the app could cause direct denial of
service.
•
•
•
The huge amount of information with updates, locations, and virtual map updates
may overload the network causing it to slow down.
If RMU Underground is tied to the RMU web server, this potentially could cause an
extreme slow down in bandwidth throughout the campus.
Since students are assisting in developing the app, they can possibly obtain other
user’s information.
4/25/2013
Abnormal Usage- 31
Potential stakeholders will have an influence on the
overall success of the app.
Stakeholder
Influence
Benefits
Resistance
Students-General
High
Communication,
navigation,
scheduling, event
planning
Always located, possible
security threats, technology
required
Students-Technology
Medium
New honors program,
real experience
Uninterested in mobile
development, time constraints
Administration
High
Increased exposure,
prestige, increase in
enrollment
Cost, security threats
Staff
Medium
Ease of
communication with
students
Distraction to students
4/25/2013
Stakeholder Analysis- 32
Students will be the target audience for the app, and
will be the measure of success.
•
•
•
•
The success of the app will be determined by the percentage of students using it.
Students will have full access to the app's functions, including the 3d rendered
map, the event network and communication with classmates.
Students may take issue with the live updating of position and the possible security
threats, which leave personal information vulnerable.
Users must have the proper technology to actually use the app.
4/25/2013
Stakeholder Analysis- 33
Students in technology fields will have a new project
involved with the app after its completion.
•
•
•
A certain group of technology students will be allowed to maintain and develop the
app further after completion; as such they will hold an important stake.
This new project would attract students by offering a chance to get real experience
in their field in exchange for credit.
However, the project must be led by students, and should no students be qualified
or want to participate, the program will stagnate.
4/25/2013
Stakeholder Analysis- 34
The possibility of the project itself hinges on the
administration. Increased exposure and enrollment are major
factors in their decision.
•
•
•
•
•
The administration will be the group responsible for actually enacting a plan to
create the app.
The development of this app would increase RMU's exposure in the world of
technology.
The increased exposure and prestige would entice more prospective students to
study here in the field of technology.
Software development can get expensive, and this could hold back the project.
Having so much personal information in one place could be a security risk, and a
breach could mean lawsuits.
4/25/2013
Stakeholder Analysis- 35
Faculty and staff will also have access to that app, though
less than students. Use of the app may be discouraged.
•
•
•
The staff will have limited access to the app, and thus will hold less influence than
others.
The app will allow for a new means of communication to students, for example, in
the event class is moved or canceled.
Functions of the app itself provide a new distraction for students, possibly deterring
use.
4/25/2013
Stakeholder Analysis- 36
The possibility of an insufficient infrastructure could
lead to costly renovations.
•
•
•
•
During development, it may be discovered that the current infrastructure at RMU is
inadequate to handle so many requests.
At this point, upgrading the infrastructure itself would be beneficial anyway.
Replacing current access points and Ethernet with more modern technology would
alleviate this issue.
This would fundamentally increase the cost of the project.
4/25/2013
Development Risk- 37
Due to the project being maintained by students, there
is a possibility that the app's code could be broken.
•
•
•
•
After the project is completed, students will take over maintenance and further
development.
There is a possibility that during this new program, a student could break the
program beyond repair.
Standard procedure will be to keep a working copy at the beginning of the semester
and only roll out new versions when absolutely complete and necessary.
The students working on the project will be those chosen by faculty who show the
ability to work on a delicate project such as this.
4/25/2013
Development Risk- 38
There is a possibility that no students will be available
to maintain the project, so outside help can be hired.
•
•
•
•
The new project will only involve students qualified to do so, and will be entirely
optional.
As a result, there is a possibility that no students qualify for the project in a
semester, or no students volunteer for the project.
The project will then be effectively put on hold, though still monitored by staff.
In the event it is needed, RMU can outsource maintenance and upgrading.
4/25/2013
Development Risk- 39
The class network allows students and professors to communicate
during and out of class, ensuring guidance for every project or challenge
a student may face every semester.
•
•
•
If a student needs help with an assignment or simply doesn’t understand it, he or
she could message someone who’s also in the class.
Class chat rooms are always open and can only be accessed by any student who
is scheduled in that class, which eliminates the need to create a forum elsewhere
on a third party application.
Class chat rooms will be always active during and after class hours to ensure 24/7
availability of assistance for each student.
4/25/2013
Teacher and Student- 40
The class network can also be utilized by professors allowing them to post
home work assignments and assist students with questions or problems they
might have.
•
•
•
Professors will be able to login to RMU Underground and post assignments for
each class they’re teaching throughout the semester.
Students are able to send professors direct messages through the app, allowing
future assistance and questioning on assignments.
Utilizing class networks will also help eliminate possible late work for students who
miss class due to illness or family emergency.
4/25/2013
Teacher and Student- 41
The day in the life of our RMU Underground App will assist
students in a more convenient, effective way ensuring their
experience and tuition is well spent.
•
•
•
•
•
Every semester, students can effectively locate and pin point their exact registered
classroom through our navigation portal.
Students have access to professors teaching the courses and are able to view
ratings and comments for that particular professor.
Students are able to message and communicate with other students who
commented and rated that specific professor on their teaching ability.
Students will also have direct access to their RMU email and messaging system
integrated within the app.
Students can also view other peers who are registered for that same class as well,
determined if their class schedule is shown and not hidden.
4/25/2013
Teacher and Student- 42
The event network will bring a whole new meaning to student
involvement for daily and monthly activities throughout each semester.
•
•
•
•
Students can get more involved into RMU’s 85+ student organizations, clubs, and
intramural sports.
The office of student life can develop and coordinate student programs directly
through our app, with live updated events for every location around campus.
Having the opportunity for everyone to participate in a intramural and club sports
event ensures students that RMU values student involvement.
The Jefferson Health and Fitness Club could also have events listed for training
sessions, which will encourage those students to utilize one of the many free
amenities the university offers.
4/25/2013
Teacher and Student- 43
The RMU Career center can fully integrate their services into assisting
students in successful, challenging, and meaningful careers.
•
•
•
•
Career and counseling sessions can be posted and noted for upcoming days and
times.
Students can customize which careers and degree programs they’re in, which
allows them to view proper job openings and positions through ColonialTRAK.
Students can also view a list of upcoming services and resources for career
development, which includes development skills such as Resume Writing,
Interviewing and Job Search Strategies.
The office of student civic engagement can post and notify students of possible
volunteering activities which will offer them an excellent way to adapt to work
environments and to test out skills learned in classrooms.
4/25/2013
Teacher and Student- 44
The RMU Underground App survey was given out to fifty
students to calculate the actuality of the Apps convenience to
its students.
•
•
•
Those who responded to the Underground RMU survey consisted of 28 men and
22 women.
The students who responded were given at random in which the majority of the
students ranged in 18-24 years old.
The Underground RMU App survey was directed towards students of all
backgrounds to figure out how convenient the app would be to it’s fellow students
as well as perspective students.
4/25/2013
Student Survey- 45
To figure out who should sponsor the RMU Underground App a question was
asked to see what type of phones students primarily use. It was calculated that
majority of students own iPhones.
What type of phone do you primarily use?
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
4/25/2013
What type of phone do you
primarily use?
Student Survey- 46
Overall students said that the RMU Underground App would be very
useful and improve student life at Robert Morris University.
•
•
•
•
Most students stated that they would use the app at least 1-4 times a day, and
more than 10% of the students said that they would use it more than 5 times a day.
Students agreed that the Underground RMU App would increase their social
involvement (clubs, sports, extracurricular activities) with a majority of 80% either
saying yes or maybe. With only 14% saying no or they are not sure.
Almost half of the students that took the survey said that the RMU Underground
App would improve their academic performance.
98% of Students agreed that the Underground RMU App would benefit potential
students. Comments were made such as “Great Idea!” and “It sounds very cool,
and I hope I get to use it before I graduate!”.
4/25/2013
Student Survey- 47
Appendix
1
2-5
6-8
9-12
13-14
15
16-19
20-22
23
4/25/2013
Intro
Need for App related to students
Need for App related to university
Development
Communication Plan
Goals
3D Touring Function
Map and Floor Plan Function
Portal Function
24
25-26
27
28-29
30-31
32-36
37-39
40-44
45-47
Professor Search Function
Event listings Function
Privacy
Safety Integration
Abnormal Usage
Stakeholder Analysis
Development Risks
Teacher and Student Interaction
Student Survey
Appendix - 48
Questions?
4/25/2013
49