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Simple App Creation for Ecologists Using MIT App Inventor

App development in ecology is a new and exciting area for exploration and development. Mobile devices connect us to the internet, each other, and, with the many sensors available on mobile devices, to our environment. MIT App Inventor (MAI) is a simple web-based visual development platform that allows users to rapidly build mobile apps. Instead of writing text based programs, users learn to assemble program blocks in a similar fashion to putting together puzzle pieces. This easy to learn approach to app creation allows users to build complex Android apps for use in research, education, and outreach in a short period of time. In this 1-day workshop, participants will be introduced to MAI and app creation. During the morning session, participants will work through tutorials and build basic mobile apps. In the afternoon session, participants will continue to develop their app creation skills, learn how MAI can be used in ecology, and create an app for use in the research, education, or outreach. This workshop will provide the basic skills necessary to support participation in the Eco Hackathon app development contest that will be organized during the ESA annual meeting. For more information.

MAI is supported by the MIT Center for Mobile Computing, is free, and is supported for Windows, Mac OS X, and GNU/Linux operating systems and many Android devices. Tutorials will be provided. Participants need to bring their laptop and if possible an Android mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet. Participants without Android devices can test their apps using the MAI emulator.