Mobile technology and LGfL resources
LGfL Learning Resources and mobile devices
The LGfL Learning Resources portfolio has been built over 10 years, and contains a wide range of different types of resources which use a variety different online technologies.
Historically, many of online content developers have relied on Adobe Flash technology to provide user interactivity, animations and video on some LGfL content. The decision by Apple to not allow Adobe Flash to work on Apple iOS mobile devices has restricted the availability on many LGfL Learning resources on their devices.
What LGfL resources audit 2012 can be used on Apple iOS devices?
Appendix 1 is a summary audit of the existing LGfL Learning Resources and describes the functionality possible on mobile devices and shows:
- Main content that works on Apple mobile devices
- Video that plays on Apple mobile devices
- Embed codes for videos provided*
The LGfL Strategy for the future of LGfL online learning resources on mobile devices
For the majority of online educational resource providers the cost of re-coding their existing products for existing customers is prohibitive. For the same reasons, LGfL has been unable to justify the expense in commissioning ‘non flash’ versions of existing LGfL Learning Resources.
In 2011, LGfL started work on new Learning Resources where mobile device compatibility was factored into the design from the start. A new video delivery system was also developed to deliver higher quality video content that optimised not only to the speed of connection, but also to the type of device viewing the content.
The LGfL Learning Resources that have the highest compatibility with all platforms are the most recent LGfL content titles – that have been produced ‘in house’ by LGfL e.g. the Royal Mews, Everyone Matters, ReadingZone and The Romans in London and Broadcast Engineering and Maths.
Many content providers now produce their resources without Flash content – choosing to use other technologies such as HTML5 or Java instead. Busy Things have a successful range of Apple iOS app titles.
Recent (free) iOS apps linked to LGfL services are:
|LGfL USO accounts can be used to access the J2E online tool, allowing publishing directly from the iOS device. This app makes full use of the built in camera on apple mobile devices|
LGfL will continue to monitor the changes to the way in which teachers and learners access and use online learning resources and where practical and affordable, will endeavour to deliver new content in formats that can be viewed on any online device.
The London MLE and mobile devices
- The Fronter learning platform works fully on Apple iOS devices (eg iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch) in the browser since January 2012 when the upgraded java text editor was implemented.
- Fronter has mobile apps for Apple iOS and Android platforms. (Read more....)
- All new Fronter developments have a 'mobile first' strategy - so mobile use is considered from the outset on any developments.
- Fronter does not use any Adobe flash functionality on the Learning Platform.
For further information about LGfL Learning Resources and strategies for the future please contact:
London Grid for Learning Trust,
CI Tower, St Georges Square, New Malden, KT3 4TE