Mobile App
One of our key outputs in this project is the development of an innovative mobile app where teachers and researchers can connect and be supported to produce, share and use small scale school based research. The app has been designed in partnership with teachers and informed by the scoping study. The aim of the app is to support teachers in schools within their practice so they can effectively carry out small scale classroom research that will improve the learning outcomes for their students.
How did we make the Mobile App?
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Back in March 2020 we got together as team and had a go at drawing the main functions of an app. We did this in three separate groups and came up with some very different ideas! We then got together and shared these and started to unpick why and how the app might be used.
We used this initial activity to help us build 'incomplete narratives' that we shared with teachers in a series of focus groups which we ran across the partner countries. The idea was for the teachers to complete the narratives an d thus illuminate how and why the app might be used. The focus groups also explored both the themes identified in the scoping exercise and our initial planning ideas about the mobile app and found out what teachers think about these. It was really important to involve teachers from this early point so that they could shape the tool that they will eventually use. |
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We translated the feedback from these focus groups, into a wire frame design for the mobile app. You can see this wire frame design in the image on the right. We then reviewed this wire frame and designed the prototype of the mobile app, which was then tested out by teachers. Getting teacher feedback on the prototype to inform any changes in the design was an essential part of the development so that the mobile app could be fit for purpose... as determined by the teachers themselves. We've now finished testing and the mobile app is now ready for use by teachers and researchers.
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The Project Team, discussing the first version of the wire frame for the mobile app
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What does the Mobile App do?
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The BRIST Teacher Researcher Mobile App supports teachers to become teacher-researchers. It also connects teachers with other teachers and researchers. The app helps teachers in schools within their practice so they can effectively carry out small scale classroom research. It enables two different levels of participation. One is centred around discovery and the other is centred around engagement. We have also developed a set of badges that users can earn to alert other users to one's level of engagement and expertise in the field of teacher research.
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DISCOVER:
A library with useful resources for teachers doing research Access to research projects published by other teachers and researchers Search and filtering tools for finding research projects Tools to find teachers with similar interests Registration to create teacher profiles in the app stating your research interests |
ENGAGE:
Extra features upon registration: A wizard to upload your own research projects Tools to duplicate projects and then translate them in another language The ability to rate and comment on published projects The ability to communicate and collaborate directly with other teachers from around the world |
Download the Teacher Researcher Mobile App here:
You can now download the Mobile App from both the Apple Store and from Google Play.
A publication related to the development of this Mobile App can also be found here:
Connolly, C. Hall, T, Jones, S.L. & Procter, R. (2022). Supporting Research Informed Teaching using a Mobile Application. In A Retrospective of Teaching, Technology, and Teacher Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic. USA: AACE/SITE Publications.
Connolly, C. Hall, T, Jones, S.L. & Procter, R. (2022). Supporting Research Informed Teaching using a Mobile Application. In A Retrospective of Teaching, Technology, and Teacher Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic. USA: AACE/SITE Publications.
Are you a Teacher? Want to find out more or get involved?
If you are interested in learning more about this project then please contact us directly via the Project Lead: Dr Sarah-Louise Jones, University of Hull, UK (sarah-louise.jones@hull.ac.uk).
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This website has been funded with support from the European Commission. This website reflects the views only of the authors and project partners and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
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