Mobile computing is rapidly becoming involved in almost every aspect of our lives. How we find directions, how we pay for goods, how we receive our news, how we network with others socially and also as a verification of who we are, and nowhere is this more evident than in today’s high-tech universities. Both students and faculty use mobile smartphones and mobile computing applications throughout the campus.
They serve as virtual credit cards and identification to enter dormitories, cafeterias, and secure areas on campus. These are safety features and convenience factors. In addition, businesses that serve college students can use such virtual ID systems to let students into concerts, exhibits, and sporting events, sometimes for free, and other times their virtual ID system will bill their college account.
In fact, there was a very interesting article in CR80 News in the Fall 2010 issue of the magazine titled; “CSU Mobile App Seeks to Replace Student IDs,” and in this short article was a Q&A with one of the top software architects for university mobile technologies.
In fact, this is an extremely good use of this technology, and it works on the student’s personal technology device, no matter which one they own. They may have a tablet with a Microsoft-based operating system, or they may have a Blackberry or an iPhone. These systems now work with whatever technology the student already owns and thus becomes a universal system.
Many students, and even more so their parents, are concerned about privacy. If such systems exist, students can be tracked wherever they go, and everything they do could be recorded digitally. In many ways that’s a problem, but in other ways it also provides a layer of security. It can be used to help those guilty of crimes, thus protecting the rest of the students. It also prevents students from having their credit card stolen.
If you want to learn more about this type of mobile app and mobile check computing, I recommend you go and read that article and then follow up online with some of the other cool stuff on offer. Things like barcode scanners built into mobile technology devices provide information about the product and also allow the student to connect and check prices at other retailers for the same product, therefore saving money.
In fact, I hope you will please consider all this and think about it. If you have anything relevant to add, I hope you’ll find my email and give me feedback.