Building Future-Ready Skills Through Mobile App Development

PeggyHuntAs digital natives, students seem to have great ideas for apps to solve problems or inconveniences they see or are experiencing. Just think—what if they had all the skills to bring these ideas to life? The skills of an entrepreneur AND a developer?!

Uncharted Learning offers MobileMakersEdu (MME), an iOS mobile app course that introduces students to the world of CS and mobile apps. It's a great addition to a computer science pathway or can be a stand-alone course, and it’s a perfect complement to an entrepreneurial journey. This course immediately gets students 'up and coding' in week one and equips them with the technical skills needed to turn app ideas into reality. The course nurtures problem-solving skills, creativity, and critical thinking—all key traits of successful entrepreneurs. 

By learning to design, develop, and launch apps, students gain firsthand experience and career exposure in product development, project management, and the iterative process of improving a product based on user feedback. This hands-on experience is invaluable for students interested in starting their own tech venture or contributing to innovative projects within existing companies.

“I enjoyed being able to express creativity in the form of an app, which I’ve never done before. In turn, it helped me learn a new skill that I can use for the rest of my life and even use in the workforce.”

—Garrett Norman, MME Student, 2024 App Contest Participant, Leander, TX

 

App development made easy, but not dumbed-down

2019.mobilemakers.barrington.classroomThe most recent release of MobileMakersEdu curriculum is grounded SwiftUI, a framework that revolutionizes how iOS app development is taught and learned. This framework makes app building accessible and enjoyable—students aren't caught up in complex UI code, and are able to quickly grasp core concepts and become proficient in creating apps—bringing ideas to life. 

"Learning Swift has taught me to look at things from multiple perspectives and has challenged me in many ways …I’ve learned that, despite what many classes tell you, sometimes there’s more than one correct way to do something."

—Connor Snare, MME Student, 2024 App Contest Winner, Waukesha, WI

Educators appreciate how the students can move relatively quickly through the curriculum. As a bonus of the SwiftUI framework, the entire MobileMakersEdu curriculum can be completed using a current model iPad rather than relying on a full Mac computer, so more schools are empowered to adopt this program!

The curriculum also incorporates comprehensive UI/UX designblog-mobile-makers-high-school-teacher-profile-derrick-tiveron-1200x899 components, allowing students to delve into the principles of user experience and create visually appealing applications. Understanding UI/UX is crucial in today’s app development landscape, and this curriculum ensures that students are well-equipped with these essential skills.

Integrated AI prompts throughout the curriculum guide students and enhance their understanding of key topics. These prompts act as virtual mentors, providing hints, explanations, and additional resources to support the learning journey. This feature encourages independent problem-solving and deeper engagement with the material. Also, AI is becoming integral in app development, and exposure to this and other leading-edge concepts is an important part of this learning journey.

“The energy and enthusiasm it creates for IT and tech is the greatest success.”

Dan Weidner,
Director of Academic Programs and Pathways, District 214

 

MobileMakersedu is more than just curriculum 

MMEBarringtonApp2023The MobileMakersEdu program includes a curriculum for teachers to teach this course, comprehensive teacher training, and ongoing educator support through a rich community of MME teachers and Uncharted Learning Support Staff--- a literal, on-demand ‘help desk’!  

“Learning to code has expanded my ability to learn and teach as well – it's exciting.”

Brandon Egnarski, MobileMakersEdu Teacher, Waukesha West High School, WI

More about SwiftUI

SwiftUI is a modern framework developed by Apple that provides a simple and intuitive way to build user interfaces across all Apple platforms. It leverages a declarative syntax, which means that the code describes what the UI should do, rather than how to do it. This approach reduces the amount of boilerplate code, making it easier for students to understand and for teachers to instruct. The immediate feedback from SwiftUI’s live previews helps students see the impact of their code in real-time, fostering a more engaging and interactive learning environment. More about Swift HERE.

Closing the Gender Gap in Computer Science

MMED214AppAs we continue to inspire the next generation of app developers, it's critical to address the gender gap in computer science. Since the inception of MobileMakersEdu 10 years ago, we’ve had the privilege of working with incredible women educators who were on the ground floor in teaching this curriculum to students.

These teachers have been instrumental in breaking down barriers, encouraging young women to explore careers in tech, and serving as role models for countless students. 

A shout out to a few!

  • Kristin Kamenar, Waukesha North High School, WI
  • Kristen Fisher, Elk Grove High School, IL
  • Alison Knappik, Rolling Meadows High School, IL

Their dedication to fostering a love for coding and problem-solving is exemplified in their classrooms, where students—both male and female—have thrived. Our program has not only empowered students to build their own iOS apps but has also opened up broader career possibilities, especially for young women. 

"I love teaching with MobileMakersEdu curriculum.  The students are so engaged and able to code right away on day one.  There are so many ways for students to get started with coding and explore!"

—Kristin Kamenar, MobileMakersEdu Teacher, Waukesha North High School, WI

Students share the impact of MobileMakersEdu

mme kids

“I learned to love making mobile apps. I knew that iOS programming could be my avenue for affecting the world.”

—Gabby E., MME Alum

“MobileMakersEdu’s focus on teamwork and agile methodologies deepened my collaboration abilities. Also, these were some of my most memorable experiences in high school, where I made lifelong friends!”

—Miguel Aenlle, MME Alum, 2023 Summit Presenter, Arlington Heights, IL

mme.article (2)

"The app idea that I could come up with my partner only sprouted and came to be because of Swift. Swift opened doors for me that I am very thankful for, and when it comes to code it is easy to get lost, but through this course, I never got lost.”

—Rohit Kumar, MME Student, 2nd place in 2024 App Contest, Leander, TX (Class Match App Video)

 

The Future of iOS App Development Education

mmeIn this era, the ability to create functional, visually appealing apps is a valuable skill that opens doors to numerous opportunities in the technology and start up sector. This curriculum aims to produce not just proficient coders, but well-rounded developers (and thinkers!) who understand the importance of user experience and can think critically about design. We believe this holistic approach is essential for preparing students for the challenges and opportunities ahead of them.

“This class changed the trajectory of my life.”

—Jimmy McDermott, MME Alum, Prospect High School, Prospect, IL & Founder and CEO @ Rubie

 

Yes, your students can build apps!  

MME students

Ready to equip your students with future-ready skills through an engaging, hands-on curriculum? Connect with us to learn how you can bring MobileMakersEdu and the power of SwiftUI to your school.

Let’s talk about how we can support your educational goals—together, we can unlock your students’ potential and set them up for success in any field they choose!

See if MobileMakersEdu is Right For Your School